PDF Files

"Adobe's Portable Document Format (pdf) is a translation format used primarily for distributing files across a network, or on a web site. Files with a .pdf extension have been created in another application and then translated into .pdf files so they can be viewed by anyone -- regardless of platform*".  These documents tend to be difficult to read with adaptive technology products.

Adobe's newest reader is version 7.  Adobe Reader 7.0.7 is supported by the newer Windows® platforms (Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition).  Older versions of Windows will require the use of Acrobat Reader 6.0.2.  Adobe maintains a site with information about Acrobat Accessibility at http://access.adobe.com.  For more information on reading PDF files, check the Guide to Adobe Reader for Users with Disabilities on Adobe's web site.

PDF files can be converted to text files by e-mailing the file to pdf2text@adobe.com or pdf2txt@sun.trace.wisc.edu.  Attach the document to the email and it will be returned in a new message within minutes.  If the document is on the web, e-mail the URL of the document. 

PDF files can be converted to html files by e-mailing them to pdf2html@adobe.com or pdf2html@sun.trace.wisc.edu.  Attach the document to the email and it will be returned in a new message within minutes.  If the document is on the web, e-mail the url of the document. 

Additional information, or converting by entering the information into a form is possible via Adobe's conversion website.

Premier Assistive Technology has introduced a program called PDF Magic.  It can convert inaccessible PDF files to one of eleven accessible formats.  The program sells for $59.95  A demonstration version is available which will let the user convert twenty five documents.
 

*Definition of PDF File from http://www.ergoweb.com/company/understanding.cfm?print=on&#p)