Hi Sharron

In terms of making accessible PDFs, it appears that the Nuance Converter
does a good job. It carries through all of the features from a
well-structured Word document that enable the PDF to be Reflowed, Read
Out Loud etc, as do most of the free equivalents. However Nuance also
ports through features such as Bookmarks (which the free CutePDF and the
automatic PDF button in Open Office don't do).


So that's half your battle sorted - just need to find out if Nuance is
operable by assistive tech users - anyone out there tested it?

For more information about making accessible Word document and PDFs see
www.techdis.ac.uk/accessibilityessentials - you are quite welcome to
host these documents on your website / intranet so that your staff and
students are aware how to make accessible PDFs - just let us know so we
can keep track of how many institutions have used them!

Best wishes

Dr Simon Ball
Senior Advisor
JISC TechDis Service
Supporting the education sector in achieving greater accessibility and
inclusion by stimulating innovation and providing expert advice and
guidance on disability and technology.
[log in to unmask]
www.techdis.ac.uk
Skype: simontechdis
01904717580 / 07813917888
Next HE Online Updates: April 24th at 10.30 and April 28th at 13.30 -
www.instantpresenter.com/techdisonline78


-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]

Sent: 25 February 2009 11:09
Subject: FW: Replacing Adobe Writer with Nuance PDF Converter 5

 Calling all techies!

Our IT services asked me this and I said I'd forward it to the group
because I know next to nothing about IT!  Can anyone help?  It seems
that the Nuance converter is cheaper but they want to know that it will
work with accessibility products.  If you want to contact Nik direct
please do (just let me know you have replied to him so I don't follow it
up again).

Thanks


Sharron

-----Original Message-----
From: Nik Thanki [mailto:[log in to unmask]]

Sent: 25 February 2009 10:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: Ron McKeating
Subject: Replacing Adobe Writer with Nuance PDF Converter 5

Hi Sharron,


We have always stuck with using Adobe Writer as our preferred method of
creating PDF documents.  This has always provided material which can be
read by assistive technology such as JAWS and Texthelp. 


I have been asked to find out whether we can use an alternative product
offered by CHEST called Nuance PDF Converter 5.  My main concern is that
this software must continue to create SENDA compliant material and was
hoping that you can advise on this. 


Regards

Nik Thanki

IT Services Specialist

N324 Haslegrave Building
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU
UK

Tel   : 01509-228437
Mob   : 07855-803104
Email : [log in to unmask]
Web   : www.lboro.ac.uk



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