Help

PDF Files

PDF stands for portable document format. You can find information about the format from the Adobe website. Adobe� Acrobat� Reader is free software from Adobe which allows PDF files to be read on any platform. The latest version of the software can be downloaded from the download area of the Adobe website (see below for details). ADA Inc.provides documents as PDF files where it is important to retain the appearance of the printed version of the document

Common problems with downloading PDFs

Recommended Browsers
A common reason members experience difficulties downloading PDFs is that they are using an old version of Netscape or Internet Explorer. The minimum version of Netscape that we recommend is version 6.0x. Internet Explorer should be no older than version 5.5. To check which version you are using, launch your browser, click on 'Help' at the top of the screen and then 'About ....(Netscape / Communicator / Internet Explorer)'.

If you are using an older version of either browser, you should download and install the most recent version. To download and install the latest version of Netscape, CLICK HERE. To download and install the latest version of Internet Explorer, CLICK HERE. These are large files so, depending upon the speed of your modem, may take some time to download.

Old version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
Another reason some users experience difficulties downloading PDFs is that they are using an old version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Should you wish to view any of the PDF files on the ADA website, it is best to have the most recent version of Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. On pages where you have the option to download PDFs, you will see the following:

Should you wish to view the document in your browser, you will need to have the Acrobat Reader installed. Please click on the icon (right) and follow the instructions.

Click on the Adobe icon and download / install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is important that you read and follow the instructions on the Adobe website. Adobe Acrobat Reader is also widely distributed on computer magazine cover discs, which could save a lengthy download if you have a slow or unstable Internet connection.

Unstable Internet Connection
An unstable Internet connection is the most common cause of problems that occur with large file downloads. To successfully download files from any Website or FTP site, you must have a stable connection to the Internet.

If when downloading a PDF, one or more of the following occurs:

Nothing happens when you try to connect or download.
An error message appears when you try to connect or download.
A file transfer pauses intermittently while downloading.
A file stops downloading before the download is complete.
An error message appears when you try to run or open a downloaded file.
Your computer unexpectedly disconnects from the Internet.

Do one or more of the following:

Solution 1
Contact your local telephone company or your cellular service provider for assistance with checking line clarity or with temporarily disabling telephone service features that may interfere with your Internet connection. Such as Call Waiting.

Solution 2
Contact your Internet service provider to verify your connection to the Internet is stable.

Solution 3
If you are certain your Internet connection is stable and you still encounter problems when downloading, see "Downloading Help Documents" on the Adobe Web site for additional solutions.

You are more likely to have a problem with your Internet connection if one or more of the following are true:

Your rate of transfer drops below 1.0 Kbps at any time during a download.
Your download pauses for more than 60 seconds at any time.
Your download pauses for more than 15 seconds more than once.
You are connecting to the Internet using a cellular telephone.
You are connecting to the Internet using a standard, land-based telephone line that sounds noisy when it is used for voice communications.
You forgot to temporarily disable any telephone service features that may interfere with your Internet connection, such as Call Waiting.
Your computer unexpectedly disconnects from the Internet at any time.

If you can successfully download files from other popular sites, your Internet connection is likely to be stable. The transfer rate of your downloads should be at least 1.0 Kbps for the entire duration of your download. Most Web browsers will show you the rate of transfer during file downloads

Incorrect configuration of Acrobat and Browser
If your browser and Acrobat have not been configured to work together properly, then Acrobat may not launch in your Browser window. The browser will need the plugin for this to work correctly.

The Adobe website provides detailed help on this topic for all platforms and browsers. Help for Windows users running Internet Explorer or Netscape can be found on these pages, along with support for people using Mac, Unix or Other operating systems.

Security issues in Internet Explorer
Occasionally, if Internet Explorer has been configured to a Security Custom Level of Medium or High, it will not let you download or view a PDF. In this case:

Go to the Tools menu.

Choose Internet Options.
Click the Security tab.
Click Trusted sites image.
Click the Sites button.
If the checkbox labeled "Require server verification (https) for all sites in this zone." is checked uncheck it.
In Add this Web site to the zone: type "www.ada.org.au".
Click Add (www.ada.org.au should appear in the box below).
Re-tick "Require server verification (https) for all sites in this zone."
Click OK.
Click OK at the Internet Options window.
Go back and attempt to download again.