Adobe Acrobat Reader | Browsealoud
This web site has been developed with accessibility as a key feature. It complies in all respects with Level AA of the Web Accessibility Initiative's (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 1.0.
It has been tested in popular browsers that render XHTML 1.0 and CSS-2, as well as text-only browsers, and adaptive technology browsers.
It allows for the text to be magnified, interpreted by text-to-speech and similar devices, and printed.
We have deliberately avoided use of Accesskeys due to the fact that they interfere with shortcut keys provided in adaptive technology browsers.
The site can be used equally efficiently with mouse or keyboard (or a combination of).
We endeavour to ensure that our site is accessible, however if you are experiencing problems and using an old browser, you may wish to upgrade. To download a more modern browser or the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer please see the following sites:
Microsoft Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx (external link)
Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html (external link)
Opera
http://www.opera.com (external link)
Safari - OS X
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/safari.html (external link)
Adobe Acrobat Reader
In order to view some of the documents on the site you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Adobe site gives instructions on how to install the viewer.
To view PDF documents you may need to download a free plugin called Acrobat Reader. The most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader includes support for screen readers (Accessibility) via the Microsoft Active Access API (MSAA). The latest version, version 8, can be downloaded from the Adobe website (external link)
Adobe's Accessibility Page (external link) - explains how vision impaired users can configure Adobe Reader to work with the assistive technology.
You will now be able to open up PDF files in your Internet browser. To print the documents click on the print button. To download and save files without viewing simply right-click the mouse cursor on the relevant link and then click 'Save Target As'.
Converting PDF documents to text
You can also convert Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) documents on-line into either HTML or ASCII text, which can then be read by a number of common screen reader programs.
Web-based forms submission tool - users can type the URL (or web address) of the PDF into an electronic form and select the "Get This PDF Document as HTML" button. The document will be converted on-the-fly to HTML and will be returned immediately to the Web browser. Click here to convert your PDF via the web. (external link)
E-mail submission tool - users can submit the URL of a PDF file via e-mail to convert it to HTML or ASCII text. The converted results are returned in the body of a new mail message in a matter of minutes. Click here to convert your PDF via e-mail.
Speech Enabling our Website
This website is now speech-enabled, which means that you can download free software onto your personal computer and have the site read aloud to you. The free software is called Browsealoud, and is used on over 2000 websites in the UK and USA. Browsealoud is a Windows browser plug-in designed for use with Internet Explorer 4 upwards or Netscape Navigator. If you install the Browsealoud plug-in onto your PC, you can have the web pages on The Highland Council website read to you (and other sites that are speech-enabled).
Why speech enable our website?
Speech enabling our website provides an additional way of accessing our content for people who find it hard to read. This includes those with dyslexia or learning difficulties, those for whom English is not their first language, or anyone with a mild visual impairment. It is not designed to replace other screen readers.
Downloading Browsealoud
Click on the image below and you will be taken to an external site where you will find full instructions to carry out the download and installation. A browsealoud icon will be placed in your system tray which is at the bottom right of your browser.
The Browsealoud video tour will assist you on how to use Browsealoud, access the options and change the way Browsealoud will read content aloud to you.