INTRODUCTION
The IRS Alternative Media Center is working to make IRS tax forms and publications fully accessible and Section 508 compliant. These "talking tax forms" work with MSAA compliant screen readers as well as Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software. We are using the Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) as a means of distributing government forms as well as other documents. The IRS has made over 550 tax forms available in accessible PDF format.
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
The IRS Alternative Media Center has created short text descriptions for fielded fillable forms in PDF format. The forms have been tested with JAWS for Windows (Version 4.01) and Window Eyes screen reader. These "talking tax forms" are also compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software. In addition to a speech reading software, users of "talking tax forms" must also have installed Adobe Acrobat (Reader) 6.0 or higher, or the full Adobe Acrobat Suite 6.0 or higher. You will be able to save a form and print a filled in form at a later date.
If you are a JAWS user, please note that we experienced problems with JAWS versions preceding 4.01 and recommend you upgrade to JAWS 4.01 before trying to use these forms.
HOW TO NAVIGATE THE FORMS
To access the forms please follow the steps below:
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Open Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or higher
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Highlight the file name and press enter to open the file.
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Once the file has been opened, press ENTER (or other key command for your synthesizer) to invoke "forms mode". Forms mode allows a user to edit the form while tabbing through the fields.
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Press (TAB) to move through the form.
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When the form has been filled in, the user may save the file using the windows "SAVE" command.
Note: When reviewing a form for the first time in standard reading mode, you may hear what sounds like duplication of information. This is not a glitch, the synthesizer is reading the text on the form and also reading the "short descriptions" coded into the fields. The short descriptions for the fields often mirror the text on the form. While it may be helpful to review a form fully using standard read mode, you should go into "forms mode" before beginning to fill in the form.
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