JAWS - Adobe Reader PDF Settings

JAWS - Adobe Reader PDF Settings

Problem

PDF documents do not read, or provide poor feedback on the document.


Affected products

  • JAWS
  • Fusion


Info
Info
If Adobe Reader is not installed visit this site to download:
https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/?promoid=98SH4LJV&mv=other

Resolution

Adobe Reader is generally considered the most effective application for JAWS to tackle reading of PDF files.  There is also some settings changes required to make this optimal.

Using a mouse

Step 1 – Assigning Adobe to open PDF files

  1. Click Start button and search Adobe to check Adobe Reader app is installed. If not installed to Adobe downloads to get it.
  2. Then locate a PDF stored on the computer or go here to obtain one: https://support.freedomscientific.com/Content/Documents/Manuals/JAWS/Keystrokes.pdf
  3. Right click the document and choose Properties in the menu.
  4. Then click the Change button next to the Microsoft Edge or other app assigned to open PDF files.
  5. In the pop-up window select Adobe Reader and click OK.

Step 2 - Optimizing Adobe Reader for use with JAWS

You can use instructions Recommended Adobe Reader settings for ZoomText to set up Adobe Reader.


Using the keyboard

Step 1 – Assigning Adobe to open PDF files

  1. Make sure Adobe Reader is installed, by opening Start menu and search Adobe and use arrow keys to check it is present on the system.
  2. Then locate a PDF file in Windows Explorer, if there is none visit this site to download one::
    https://support.freedomscientific.com/Content/Documents/Manuals/JAWS/Keystrokes.pdf
  3. Save the document to your downloads folder and then navigate to it.
  4. Then when focused on the file press ALT+ENTER to open its properties.
  5. In the Properties dialogue TAB to the Change button and press SPACEBAR on it
  6. In the pop up choose Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader if it is listed then click OK.


Step 2: Optimizing Adobe Reader for use with JAWS

  1. Press WINDOWS key to open Start Menu and search Adobe Reader DC and press ENTER on the result to open the application.
  2. Then press ALT+E and then with arrow keys select “Preferences" or press the hotkey CONTROL+K.
Info

The Preferences dialogue is split into two main sections, left side is a list of settings categories then on the right are controls displayed for the selected category. Pressing F6 switches between these, after making a settings change press F6 to arrive back at the categories list and use arrow keys or first letter navigation to find another category. Repeat the process for settings in each category listed below.

Security (Enhanced)
3. Use arrow keys up/down to locate Security (Enhanced) category.
4. Then press TAB to reach the checkbox “Protected mode at startup” and press spacebar to uncheck it.

Reading
5. Press F6 to move back to the category list to select Reading category.
6. Press F6 and then TAB to reach “Reading Order” drop down and set this to “Left to right, top to bottom” setting.
7. Press TAB to uncheck the option “override reading order in tagged documents”.
8. Then TAB to “page verses document” drop down and set this to “Read entire document”.

Multimedia & 3D
9. F6 to switch to the category list and with arrow keys select “Multimedia & 3D” then press F6 and tab to “Preferred renderer” drop down and set it to “Software”.
10. Press TAB to reach “Enable hardware rendering for legacy video cards” and uncheck this.

Accessibility
11. Press F6 for categories list and select “Accessibility” then press F6 to swich back to the controls.
12. Press tab to “Always use page layout” checkbox and set the drop down to the right to “Single page”.
13. Enable “Always use page zoom setting” and set the drop down to “100%”.
14. Ensure “Enable Assistive technology support” checkbox is checked.

Document
15. [Optional] Press F6 and select “Document” then press F6 to switch back to the controls.
16. Press TAB to reach “Restore last view settings when reopening a document” and press SPACEBAR to uncheck it.
17. [Optional] Press TAB to “Allow documents to hide the menu bar, toolbar and other controls and press SPACEBAR to uncheck it..
18. When finished with press TAB to reach the “OK” button and press SPACEBAR on it.


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