Home News Chrome to Introduce PDF-to-Text Conversion for Enhanced Accessibility

Chrome to Introduce PDF-to-Text Conversion for Enhanced Accessibility

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PDF accessibility

In an effort to improve accessibility for individuals with low vision, Google is set to introduce a new feature in Chrome that facilitates interaction with PDF documents. By incorporating OCR (optical character recognition) technology, Chrome will be capable of converting PDFs into text format, enabling seamless integration with screen readers. Additionally, the tool will provide image descriptions to enhance the overall user experience.

According to Google, this feature will be rolled out in the upcoming months. Furthermore, the company has plans to expand the functionality to other platforms later this year, although specific details regarding the platforms receiving the upgrade have not yet been disclosed. We have reached out to Google for further information and will provide updates accordingly.

This introduction is part of a broader educational initiative, which includes app licensing for school Chromebooks and free access to Adobe Express in the United States. Moreover, administrators will enjoy increased control over the content accessible to students and faculty on their Chromebooks, such as the ability to prohibit text copying and pasting from certain websites, including generative AI tools that could potentially facilitate cheating on tests. Users, on the other hand, will find it easier to disable their camera or microphone regardless of their location within Chrome OS.

While the read-aloud PDF feature primarily targets classrooms, where students with visual impairments can benefit from improved access to scanned class materials and essential research articles, it will also contribute to enhancing internet accessibility for the general public. Frequently, websites present important information, such as terms of service, in PDF format, and this upgrade will make such information more readily available to a wider audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PDF accessibility

When will the PDF-to-text conversion feature be available in Chrome?

Google states that the feature will be available in the “coming months,” although an exact release date has not been specified.

Will the PDF-to-text conversion feature be expanded to other platforms?

Yes, Google plans to expand the functionality beyond Chrome later this year. However, the specific platforms receiving the upgrade have not been disclosed yet.

What other educational initiatives are included in this update?

Along with the PDF conversion feature, Google’s educational push includes app licensing for school Chromebooks, free access to Adobe Express in the US, and enhanced control for administrators over content access on Chromebooks.

Who will benefit from the read-aloud PDF feature?

The feature primarily aims to benefit students with vision issues in classrooms by improving access to scanned class materials and research articles. However, it will also make the internet more accessible to the general public, especially when websites use PDFs for important information.

What additional functionalities are being introduced for Chrome OS users?

Chrome OS users will have an easier time disabling their camera or microphone, regardless of their location within the system, thus enhancing privacy and control over their devices.

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4 comments

GadgetMaster June 22, 2023 - 5:11 pm

wow, this chrome update sounds cool. im also interested in the admin control features for chromebooks. teachers can stop students from cheatin’ on tests. kudos to google for making it happen!

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TechGeek42 June 22, 2023 - 5:38 pm

i cant w8 for this feature. wen is it comin out tho? and im happy they gonna expand it to other platforms. google always innovatin!

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JaneDoe June 22, 2023 - 6:58 pm

chrome updat is awsum! I luv that it can convert pdfs to text for low vison users. OCR teck is rlly helpful. Im glad they also adding image descriptions. Goog job google!

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Bookworm23 June 23, 2023 - 11:45 am

as a student, this is gr8 news. read-aloud pdfs will make my life so much easier. i can read class material & research articles better now. and it will help lots of ppl access info on the internet too. thumbs up google!

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