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Re: PDF Accessibility

for

From: Michael Goddard
Date: Dec 2, 2002 9:39AM

I would be extremely interested in this as well...If you could share your
findings and your presentation, I would be very grateful.

From my working with pdf documents, there are really no "sure"
accessibility. Yes Acrobat 5 has an Accessibility tool however, all it
really does is creates a text file of the pdf document and if the pdf
document is poorly structure then it really doesn't help.

I think the first step is for everyone to really learn how to use Acrobat 5
and how to create pdf's correctly first.

The reason why many of our clients choose pdf format are:

1) Takes existing Word, Excel, Quark, PageMaker etc.. type files,
converts them to pdf format which compresses files size which is ideal
for distribution via web, cd-rom etc.. AND the documentation's layout is
preserved where as in HTML the format may change slightly etc.

2)Convenience...easy to convert Word, Excel, Quark, PageMaker etc..
type files to pdf where as HTML would be more time consuming even
with proper tools due to bloated code etc.

3) pdf files can be protected to prevent printing, copying etc.. HTML
cannot or has severe limitations to this.

4) pdf documents can be searched...but so can HTML and in all
honesty, HTML has better search capabilities available than pdf
documents.

Those are the main reasons why many of our clients choose pdf
format. There are many others but I would end up writing a book
almost! :)

Thanks,
Michael



On 2 Dec 2002 at 9:21, Tim Harshbarger wrote:

>
> Hi,
> I am putting together material for a presentation on the accessibility of PDF documents and
> accessible alternatives for people here who produce internal communications. There are a couple
> questions I have.
> Where can I locate an example of an accessible PDF document created using Acrobat 5.0?
> Also, do PDF documents have any advantages over other formats, like HTML? I am trying to find
> answers and possible replies to this question, because I expect somebody to say something like
> "But we need to use PDF because..." I already have heard some of them.--that is the reason I am
> giving the presentation.
> Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks!
> Tim
> Tim Harshbarger
> Disability Support
> State Farm Insurance Companies
> Phone: (309) 766-0154
> E-mail: <EMAIL REMOVED>


Michael Goddard
Internet Developer/Programmer
TDH Marketing & Communications, Inc.
8153 Garnet Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45458
tel: 937.438.3434
fax: 937.438-3453
e-mail: <EMAIL REMOVED>
web: www.tdh-marketing.com



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