Adobe PDF Tools

The Portable Document Format (PDF) was developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated. It is a type of file for distributing documents over the Internet that preserves the structure of any source document on the screen and in print, regardless of what kind of computer or printer is used. Adobe offers several tools to create, convert, distribute, and exchange secure and accessible PDF files such as:

Adobe Acrobat 6.0
Adobe Reader 6.01
Online Conversion Tools
Accessibility Checker

Adobe Acrobat 6.0

Adobe Acrobat is a software program that generates a PDF file by capturing the structure of the document being converted to PDF. You can download a 30-day tryout version of Adobe Acrobat 6.0 but the full version of Adobe Acrobat must be purchased from the online Adobe store or authorized Adobe resellers. Some features specific to Adobe Acrobat 6.0 include:

Create tagged PDF files from applications such as Microsoft Office 2000 and XP for Windows.
Check and edit PDF files with the Accessibility Checker and the Tags palette.
Add security while retaining accessibility.
Convert existing PDF files to tagged (accessible) PDF files with the free Make Accessible Plug-infor Windows.
Add text to scanned documents for improved accessibility with the free Paper Capture plug-in for Windows.
Export text from a tagged PDF to text (TXT), Rich Text Format (RTF), Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and Microsoft Word (DOC).
Reduce the size of tagged PDF files for faster download times.
Review and modify the reflow order of objects on a page.
Add text to scanned pages for improved accessibility.

Adobe Reader 6.01

To view and print a PDF file, you need to have the free download of Adobe Reader 6.01 (Browse to website) installed on your computer. The most recent version, Adobe Reader 6.01, also requires an upgrade to Internet Explorer 5.01 or later versions

Adobe Reader 6.01 and Adobe Acrobat 6.0 have features that promote accessible document creation and facilitate better comprehension for the user. Features common to both include:

Reading of PDF files by a standard operating system text-to-speech application or by a screenreader used in a Microsoft Windows based environment.
Quick accessibility evaluation of a PDF file.
Keyboard shortcut navigation.
Ability to save PDF as text and view PDF files in high-contrast mode.
Customization of font size in the navigation panels.
Use of large type display and reflow of the text to fit any viewing preference when working with tagged (accessible) PDF files.
Choice of alternate reading orders.
Japanese language support.

Online Conversion Tools

Adobe offers online tools to convert PDF files (Browse to website) into either a webpage (HTML file) or text file by submitting an email or a web-based form. These tools are best utilized by users whose screenreaders or other assistive technologies do not work well with Adobe Acrobat but can also be helpful to users who have not downloaded the most current version of Adobe Reader.

To use the web-based form to convert an online PDF file to a webpage (HTML file):

Go to Adobe PDF Conversion by Simple Form on the Adobe website.
Enter the web address (or URL) of the online PDF file you wish to convert.
Select the "Get This Adobe PDF Document as HTML" button.
The file will be immediately converted and displayed for viewing in your web browser.

To use email to convert a PDF file:

Use the email address of the conversion format you want.
- Text: Convert PDF file to text by emailing Adobe at pdf2txt@adobe.com or Convert PDF file to text by emailing the Trace Research Center at pdf2txt@sun.trace.wisc.edu.
- Webpage: Convert PDF file to webpage (HTML file) by emailing Adobe at pdf2html@adobe.com or Convert PDF file to webpage (HTML file) by emailing the Trace Research Center at pdf2html@sun.trace.wisc.edu.
Create the message depending upon where the file is located.
- If the PDF file is online, send the web address (or URL) of the PDF file in the body of the email message. The translation of the PDF file will be emailed back in the desired format (text or HTML).
- If the PDF file is located locally (such as on your hard drive, a CD-ROM or an internal server), send the PDF file as a MIME attachment to the email message. The conversion of the PDF file will then be emailed back in the desired format (text or HTML) as a MIME attachment.
Note: You can send multiple web addresses or attach multiple PDF files in a single email to convert them in batch. To ensure sending the correct web address (or URL), copy-and-paste the web address into the body of the email message.

Accessibility Checker for PDF

Once you have gone through all the steps involved in creating or converting the PDF file, you should verify its accessibility. Besides traditional methods (such as using a screenreader to listen for word ordering), you can use the Accessibility Checker that comes free with Adobe Acrobat. The Accessibility Checker is located under the "Tools" menu of Adobe Acrobat and is covered later in this module in Testing PDF files for Accessibility. There is also an "Accessibility Quick Check" offered within Adobe Reader under the "Documents" menu.

The next page will discuss the accessibility settings within Adobe PDF tools.

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Accessibility Settings