Web accessibility resources

Tips for larger text, using PDFs, and changing contrast

Need larger text?

If you're using Internet Explorer, try this:

  • CTRL +
    Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard (Command key on a Macintosh) and press the + (plus) key to increase the text size. OR
  • From the View menu, select Text Size, and choose the Larger font sizes until you can easily read the web page.
For other browsers and operating systems, see the instructions provided by the Web Accessibility Initiative.
 

Adjusting color or contrast

Many web browsers allow users  to adjust the colors and contrast on web pages.   See the Web Accessibility Initiatives' instructions for tips and techniques for adjusting color or contrast on specific browsers.

Using PDF documents

Many of the PDFs on the Metropolitan Council's website are structured to be read properly by screen readers and downloaded as text files. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader for best results.

To use Acrobat Reader's accessibility features

  1. Download a copy of the PDF document to your local computer.
  2. Select the PDF document by clicking on it (Adobe Reader should launch)   OR launch Adobe Reader and browse to the PDF document to open it.

Read Out Loud function

When a document is open in Adobe Reader, from the View menu, select Read Out Loud, then one of the following:

  • Activate (Shift + CTRL + V)
  • Read this page only (Shift + CTRL + V)
  • Read to end of document (Shift + CTRL + B)
  • Pause (Shift + CTRL + C)
  • Stop (Shift + CTRL + E)

Prefer text? Save a PDF as a text document

From the File menu, select Save as Text, then indicate

  • the file type and extension you prefer (the default is .txt) and
  • where on your computer (i.e. desktop) you would like the file saved.

Need an alternate format?

If you are unable to read a PDF document or save a text version successfully, please email the Council's web team to request the information in an alternate format.