1. You can set up a proxy server to convert pdf files. Instructions are on the Adobe Web Site: http://www.adobe.com/homepage.shtml
2. You can transfer from your current browser to use the Adobe Acrobat Browser. They have tried to make the Acrobat Browser / Reader speech accessable. However, there is still "nothing" quite like jumping between browsers; to land on another "new" one. The Adobe Acrobat Browser is available on the Adobe Web Site, as well as the Tuscows Software Collection. Sometimes even "free" is "not" a very good price.
However, if you email the URL of any file.pdf to pdf2txt@adobe.com and request text conversion, you will get the converted file returned to you in ASCII text. It takes a little longer, but it's worth the wait.