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 9.  Adobe Reader 9 is supported by the newer Windows® platforms (Vista, XP and 2000 with Service Pack 4)  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)