Web²Access

Results for Adobe Reader

Description

Adobe Reader software is a PDF file viewer that can view, search, digitally sign, verify, and print Adobe PDF files. It can be used to convert PDFs to text if they are accessible and not secure.

Accessibility Testing Results

Adobe have provided accessibility options for screen reader and keyboard users and the application is largely accessible. The major problem for users occurs when inaccessible PDFs are downloaded, such as those in image format where the text cannot be selected.

#	Test	Score	Summary
16	Built in accessibility checks		Adobe Reader worked well with NVDA and usual short cut keys worked for main menu items and others can be added to access items such as sticky notes. On Mac it works well with VoiceOver but content is not accessible with Narrator on Windows and Adobe Reader has to be used.
17	Application works with External Assistive Technologies		The applications used (NVDA and keyboard) worked with all the elements chosen but additional changes may need to be made to user preferences to ensure total accessibility.
18	Text or other alternatives for image elements.		All menu items were read correctly with appropriate labels - images are used on a ribbon toolbar but these are not used by a screen reader user.
19	Keyboard / Alternative input with focus		This appeared to work well throughout the application. Keyboard shortcuts, Arrow keys and the Enter key were used with NVDA.
20	Labels for objects, fields or controls		Objects were labelled correctly.
21	Audio alerts have visual cues		These worked well in the Windows and Mac environment. NVDA worked with Adobe Reader to provide sounds to indicate PDF download status.
22	Alternatives for Video / Animation		Not Applicable
23	Media events offer user control		Not Applicable
24	Textual Information for screen reader		Items in the main menu and help files were accessible via the NVDA screen reader.
25	Keyboard shortcut keys offered		Keyboard shortcuts worked well but you have to be online to access the list.
26	Save user preferences for style and zoom		Some colour changes are possible if the PDF file is accessible via the preferences and accessibility menus. Zoom only for whole document magnification. The application responds to Windows and Mac built in desktop changes.
27	Timed events can be altered		Not applicable
28	Change colours and contrast		It is possible to offer high contrast mode both with the application and via built in system changes.
29	Uniform and standardised presentation		The application conforms to both Mac and Windows layout styles
30	Documentation		The help files are online and this may not suit all users. NVDA read the help files when using the Firefox.Chrome and Internet Explorer browser. It is possible to print out all the web pages but there did not appear to be a single manual available.

Disability-Tailored Results

The following table shows how well the product performs for people with disabilities, as listed in the Disabilities section.

Percentages do not indicate how much of a site is accessible. They indicate the average figure of test results relevant to each disability. Select a disability to see which tests are relevant to it.

Activities you can do with Adobe Reader

• eReading