Tools for Representation within PDFs

These tools allow students to access the UDL tools offered within the Read&Write toolbar while working on a PDF document.

Implementation Strategy: Teachers can ensure that all PDF documents have been properly prepared for accessibility. If using a document that was scanned from a hard copy worksheet, then the document must be "OCR'd" to ensure that the document is accessible for all students. Teachers can use the Chrome extension, Kami, as a quick solution for OCRing documents. Middle and High school teachers also have access to Adobe DC Pro and may use this program for OCRing documents as well. Once a document has been correctly OCR'd students may use the text to speech features within the Read&Write toolbar for listening to text being read aloud. Students may also use the Screenshot reader on a document that has not been OCR'd correctly.

Teachers may also allow students to create a more customized experience within the PDF reader by allowing students to change the rate of speech for Text-to-Speech, within the options menu. Teachers can also allow students to customize the size and color of their typed text and can allow students to use the freehand drawing tool or the shapes tool when representing their ideas. Teachers should encourage students to access the dictionary or picture dictionary when they need further clarification about the definition of unknown words. Teachers should encourage English Language Learners students, or students taking a foreign language to access the translator tool as needed and when it is appropriate. Teachers can pre-teach vocabulary to students, to increase comprehension, by utilizing the vocabulary builder feature.

Opening PDFs with Orbit Note