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Navigation for Module 8: PDF
Page 5 of 17

  1. *Introduction
  2. *Files You Need
  3. *Adobe PDF Tools
    1. Accessibility Settings
    2. * Security Settings
  4. *Improve PDF Access
  5. *Structure & Read Order
  6. *Alternative Text
  7. *Forms
  8. *Testing Accessibility
  9. *Publish to Blackboard
  10. *Publish to WebCT
  11. *Resources

Security Settings of Adobe Acrobat

Authors often only want their documents to be read and not copied or printed. To prevent PDF files from being copied or printed, Adobe Acrobat offers security settings in 40-bit encryption and 128-bit encryption. When 128-bit encryption is used, the author can prevent the copying of content and still maintain accessibility. However, the decision to use 40-bit encryption and select the option to 'eliminate all copying or extraction' results in disabling accessibility.

To change the security settings in Acrobat:

  1. Start Adobe Acrobat.
  2. Select 'Advanced' and mouse-over 'Security.'
  3. Select option 2, "Encrypt with Password"
  4. Select 'Acrobat 7.0 and later' in the compatibility dropdown menu. Acrobat 9.0 will automatically provide 128-bit encryption.
  5. Under 'Permissions', check the box that says 'Use a password to restrict printing and editing of the document and its security settings'.
  6. Select the checkbox that says 'Enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually impaired' (see Image 10)..

    Description of Image 10: Changing the security settings in Acrobat for encryption

  7. Choose the permissions you wish to set and enter your password, then select the 'OK' button.
Security can also be set up using Microsoft Office. Although it currently does not provide the 128-bit option, it is still possible to determine accessibility settings using encryption here.

To change the security settings in Microsoft Office:

  1. Go to the Acrobat menu in your Office application.
  2. Select 'Preferences'. This opens a dialog box (see Image 11).

    Description of Image 11: Changing the security settings in Microsoft Office for encryption

  3. Select the Security tab.
  4. Under 'Permissions', check the box that says 'Use a password to restrict printing and editing of the document and its security settings'.
  5. Make sure 'Enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually impaired' is selected.
  6. Choose the permissions you wish to set and your password, then select the 'OK' button.
  7. Select the 'OK' button.

The next page will discuss methods of improving PDF accessibility.

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