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ClearScan and Read-Out-Loud

jlamarca
Registered: Mar 26 2009
Posts: 21
Answered

I believe I've found a problem and wanted to mention it on this board (I also discussed it here: http://www.acrobatusers.com/forums/aucbb/viewtopic.php?pid=46123#p46123 ). I've got a friend who is blind and I'm always trying to make sure that materials I send to him are accessible (he tells me not to bother, but I want to just the same). I just got a new scanner and have been also trying to learn Acrobat 9 Pro (I've used many previous versions). Acrobat 9 now uses ClearScan in order to OCR materials. Overall, it does a great job except that once I use ClearScan, the document can no longer be read using "Read-out-loud." Has anyone else come across this problem? If so, it's really a major issue that needs to be addressed. Thanks.

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 9.1, Windows
daka630
Expert
Registered: Mar 1 2007
Posts: 1420
jlamarca,
After performing ClearScan your PDF has a low resolution image of the original image and the hidden text layer of the
OCR output characters. Use Find Suspects to correct anything that ClearScan "set aside" with a question.
Fix as needed.
Now proceed to make the PDF a tagged PDF.
ClearScan does not do this.
A PDF that is not tagged cannot be used for reflow or accessibility.

Advanced > Accessibility > Add Tags to DocumentAfter this, use the TouchUp Reading Order (TURO) tool to clean up the tags.
You may find a number of Figure tags associated with items you "see".
(including blivets carried over from the source hardcopy into the image)

If approriatedly tagged with the Figure element then you must add alternate text.
If not appropriately tagged then use TURO to change to an appropriate tag.
This may call for make some things Artifacts (use TURO's Background button).
Use the Order Panel to establish the read order.
Check frequently.
Advanced > Accessibility > Full Check
Check read order by Save As to Text (Accessible) (*.txt).
Remember to set the Language.
Go to the PDF's Document Properties > Advanced > Language (at the bottom).Look over Acrobat Help for information re: accessible, tagged, logical structure.
For more details look over the current PDF Reference that contains the addendums sent to ISO.

n.b.,
Once a PDF has been correctly setup Read Aloud works quite well.
Did a trial on a single page of scanned text.
- ran clearscan
- had Acrobat tag the PDF
- cleaned up the tags
- set read order
- saved
- used Read Aloud.

Be well...

Be well...

jlamarca
Registered: Mar 26 2009
Posts: 21
Thank you for your help!
qscott45
Registered: May 6 2009
Posts: 2
I have another question on somewhat of the same topic. First, is ClearScan equivalent to Text and Graphics Format (OCR output)? Secondly, does anybody know if the Read Out Loud feature is part of the Jaws reader? I'm interested if the reader in Acrobat will read the same and pick up the same information as the Jaw screen reader. Thanks!
daka630
Expert
Registered: Mar 1 2007
Posts: 1420
[
Quote:
... is ClearScan equivalent to Text and Graphics Format (OCR output)?
It is the same concept, executed with some enhancements.

Quote:
Secondly, does anybody know if the Read Out Loud feature is part of the Jaws reader?
If the read aloud you refer to is the feature provided within Adobe Reader & the Acrobat releases, then
no, this read aloud is not part of the Jaws reader.

Quote:
I'm interested if the reader in Acrobat will read the same and pick up the same information as the Jaw screen reader.
My understanding is that they are not 1 for 1 equivalents.

Be well...

Be well...

qscott45
Registered: May 6 2009
Posts: 2
Thanks for the information!