The PDF challenge

Posted on March 28, 2009 by Donna Jodhan

Hello there!  This week, we the team at www.sterlingcreations.ca are delighted to bring you an editorial written by our president Donna J Jodhan.  This editorial addresses isues of access to PDF content.

We hope you find it insightful.
We wish you a great weekend.
 
 The PDF challenge
By Donna J. Jodhan
 
The world seems to have gone PDF crazy and what we are finding now is that the majority of those websites with something to say are using PDF formats to convey their information.  All well and good for those who can read PDF files but for blind and visually impaired persons it is a virtual nightmare.  Why is this?  Very simple!
 
PDF files are image-based and blind and visually impaired persons are unable to read anything that is image-based.  That is, PDF files, and anything on a website that contains an icon or an image.  True it is that Adobe continues to  work very hard with content developers to make PDF files more user-friendly to blind and visually impaired persons, but if these files are not properly tagged, if the file is not correctly coded, then everything is inaccessible to us.  There is yet another problem that we face even if the PDF file is correctly coded and that is:  If we do not possess the right combination of access technology then we are doomed.
 
Yes, the right combination of access technology and for the majority of blind and visually impaired persons, this is a huge problem because without financial assistance it is practically out of reach.  In summary, more content developers need to be aware of using appropriate code in order to make PDF content more accessible.  More financial assistance needs to be made available to those who do not have the right combination of access technology in order to access PDF content. 
 
I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.untappedwealth.com/businessdesk.html
Weekly blogs for language professionals and special needs business consultants
https://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
https://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 
 
 
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About Donna Jodhan

Donna Jodhan is an award winning blind author, advocate, sight loss coach, blogger, podcast commentator, and accessibility specialist.
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