<---- Begin Forwarded Message ----> Subject: Internet Explorer 4.0 For those interested in the accessibility of MS Internet Explorer 4.0, the following is the text of a letter the NZABPB sent to the Human Rights Commission and the Commerce Commission as soon as it was confirmed that Active Accessibility was not a part of Internet Explorer 4.0. Please post to other lists. Re - accessibility of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 I write on behalf of the New Zealand Association of the Blind and Partially Blind, the blind speaking for themselves in New Zealand. Blind people use computers with the aid of a voice synthesiser, Braille display or large image system. In most cases, software known as a screen reader is also used, so the synthesiser or Braille display can receive instructions as to the information the user requires. With the advent of the Microsoft Windows operating systems, access to software which is essential for blind people to obtain or retain employment has been difficult and challenging, although access to Windows 95 has improved substantially over the last year as screen readers become more sophisticated. Microsoft, however, has now developed its Active Accessibility add-on to Windows 95, which will come bundled with Windows 98. In brief, Active Accessibility is a way of passing information to a screen reader which allows the screen reader to provide information in a helpful, intelligible way to a blind person. Adaptive technology vendors have made considerable efforts to incorporate hooks for Microsoft's Active Accessibility into their screen readers. It is important to emphasise that the mere inclusion of Active Accessibility in a screen reader is not sufficient. The software application itself, such as the word processor, spreadsheet package, database management software, or web browser, must also expressly support Active Accessibility. Last week, Microsoft released its long awaited Internet Explorer 4.0. Blind people had been advised that it would not be appropriate for them to download the platform preview releases, since Active Accessibility was not incorporated in these previews. However, on several Internet e-mail lists frequented by blind people interested in access technology, we were advised that Active Accessibility would be incorporated into the released version of Internet Explorer 4.0. Many blind people downloaded Internet Explorer 4.0 last week, only to find that Active Accessibility had not in fact been included. We therefore wish for Microsoft to be investigated under New Zealand's Fair Trading Act, and either fined or the product removed from shop shelves and web sites in New Zealand until the breach has been remedied by the inclusion of Active Accessibility. Wee were given an assurance by a Microsoft employee which has not been met, and therefore the product has been downloaded, or in some cases purchased on CD-ROM under false pretences. We also wish to lodge a formal complaint against Microsoft under the Hunan Rights Act 1993, on the grounds that Microsoft has discriminated against people with disabilities. The technology now exists for Microsoft to make its products accessible. Indeed, Microsoft has told people in the adaptive technology field that incorporating Active Accessibility into application software is a fairly simple process. As a leader in the computing marketplace, Microsoft must follow the standards it seeks to set for other software manufacturers. Now that such technology does exist, it is entirely inappropriate for the blind to be treated like second class citizens by Microsoft. Microsoft would not dream of releasing a product where the ability to use a mouse was not yet working, yet its blind customers are told that we must wait until they get around to releasing a patch to the software before we can use it. We trust that this matter will be given urgent consideration. Media statements will be issued advising of our complaint. Yours Sincerely Jonathan Mosen National President New Zealand Association of the Blind and Partially Blind <---- End Forwarded Message ---->