Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that RealChoices ACCESS (Accountability for Consumer Choice Entry Support System), www.realchoices.org has adopted the Adobe Intelligent Document Platform for a document service that automates the completion of forms for Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) clients applying online for selected services.The portal, developed in collaboration with Hawaii DHS, University of Hawaii and AssistGuide, a developer of online services that connect seniors and people with disabilities to vital healthcare services, offers people access to information on state services such as medical care, residential facilities and food stamps. All information presented online was developed to be in compliance with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In its initial deployment, users can begin the process of applying for Medicaid or food stamps by entering information into HTML or accessible HTML (aHTML) forms and submitting them to DHS. The system generates a completed government form in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) that is downloaded directly to the user's browser. The form can be saved or printed for delivery to DHS. If people visit the Web site to apply for additional services, all the information they previously entered, such as address, phone number and other details, will be inputted automatically in the new forms. Eventually, the site will offer the ability for people to digitally sign and submit forms online to the appropriate agencies, with form data being saved as XML content in backend systems.

"With the Adobe Intelligent Document Platform, we can offer an essential Web service to Hawaii DHS clients and their caregivers," said Bob Stodden, principal investigator for the RealChoices.org project and the director of the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii. "Now, people with disabilities can apply for services online and more actively participate in their own care."

An important component of the Adobe Intelligent Document Platform is the ability to generate and deliver aHTML forms to people with impaired vision. For example, people using the Web site can prompt the system to have the Adobe solution generate aHTML versions of forms for online delivery.

By working with AssistGuide and the University of Hawaii, Hawaii DHS can offer constituents a valuable online service, while minimizing the resources needed to maintain it. Says Aileen Hiramatsu, Med-Quest division administrator at Hawaii DHS, "We worked with our constituents to create a system that addresses the varied needs of people with disabilities." The University of Hawaii secured a three-year federal grant to develop the portal RealChoices ACCESS, and AssistGuide offered technical expertise, software and service information to make the portal a reality. AssistGuide will maintain the portal RealChoices ACCESS in the future, and based on its success, the company may offer the service to other state health services agencies nationwide.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe helps people and businesses communicate better through its world-leading digital imaging, design and document technology platforms for consumers, creative professionals and enterprises. Adobe's revenue in the last fiscal year exceeded $1.2 billion. For more information about Adobe, visit www.adobe.com.