No accessibility for screen readers

[_peter_crain_]

I have a client who is blind and uses JAWS screen reader to access computer information. Several E-books were purchased and downloaded (ebooks.com) and it was found that they can not be accessed by JAWS to read the content as they are in PDF "content protected" format.

I understand locking content for copyright and to protect the retailer from pirating however this has excluded people who are blind from access to this great resource. Is there a solution to this issue?

Peter
Adaptive Technology Consultant

[_Ric_Wright_]

Digital Editions does not yet support Read ALoud. We are working hard on getting that in, but for the time being you need to install Reader 7 do get this functionality. You can get Reader 7 here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html

[_Michele_Hill_]

I am having the same problem. I am visually impaired and use Zoomtext screen reader. I've already purchased an e-book in Digital Adobe and then found my screen reader won't work. Are you saying I can read it with Adobe 7.0? If so, how do I open the book with Adobe 7.0? If it's not possible to use my screen reader, can I get a credit for the book I purchased?

Michele

[_Thann_Scoggin_]

Yes, an answer to this would be very helpful, as I am in a quandary about this same issue. It seems as if a few publishers are requiring disabled students to purchase eBooks when they offer them rather than providing a digital copy such as a .pdf or .doc. If screen readers won't work with the formats they're providing, it does certainly seem that those users are being excluded.

[_Ric_Wright_]

Unfortunately, Digital Editions books are not backward compatible with 7.0 SO what you need to do it is

- uninstall DE
- install Reader 7
- ask for a new download from your vendor. Most vendors are happy to do this for you.

[_Kay_Atkinson_]

Has anyone succeeded in having ebooks.com agree to a download for Adobe Reader 7.0?
Kay Atkinson,
Adaptive Equipment Tech