AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
National Technology Program
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 502-7642
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Accessing On-Line Services with Synthetic Speech: America Online,
CompuServe, and Internet Service Providers
Crista L. Earl and Jay D. Leventhal
Reprinted with permission from the Journal of Visual Impairment &
Blindness Vol. 92, No. 8, and is copyright 1998 by the American
Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY
10001.
Accessing On-Line Services with Synthetic Speech: America Online,
CompuServe, and Internet Service Providers
Crista L. Earl and Jay D. Leventhal
When considering which kind of on-line service to use,
people who use screen readers must consider which on-line
features interest them, as well as how well those features work
with speech. Common features to consider include sending and
receiving E-mail; browsing the Internet; conducting basic
research on topics of general interest; conducting more in-depth
research on narrowly focused professional topics; using the
advanced features of an E-mail program, such as maintaining a
mailing list; sending large files; and automatically filtering E-
mail messages into categories. The fanciest, most popular service
may not be the right one if it is difficult to use with speech.
This Product Evaluation reviews two of the most popular on-line
services--America Online and CompuServe--and describes their
advantages and disadvantages for synthetic speech users compared
to services that offer Internet access only, such as Concentric
or Netcom. Although it is possible to use some Internet services
through a text-based system, this article is limited to access
via Windows 95. Tests were conducted using version 3.0.4 of
CompuServe's software and version 3.0 of America Online's
software.
On-line services versus Internet service providers
Internet service providers offer direct, unstructured
Internet access. Such services often supply a browser and an E-
mail package, but these choices of software are not essential
parts of the service. If the programs provided do not have
desirable features or are not accessible using a particular
speech program, more suitable software can easily be substituted.
On-line services provide access to the Internet, but their
attraction lies in the combination of the structured environment,
proprietary features, and the integrated software they provide.
Together, these features allow on-line access that is ideal for
beginners and those who want to perform specific tasks and get
off-line quickly. These extra resources may be of great benefit,
but the integrated software often causes access complications
that may preclude the use of even the basic features. In
addition, a service that offers access to newspaper archives and
resources on a topic necessary to a user's profession may include
software to access the archives that prevents blind users from
being able to use those resources.
Browsing
Browsing is one of the most widely used features of on-line
services. Browsing allows the user to look at Web pages posted by
individuals and companies and search resources, such as
newspapers and magazines.
Internet service providers
Internet service providers furnish users with direct Internet
access. Often a browser--the program used to view documents on
the World Wide Web--is provided. The two most popular Windows-
based browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet
Explorer. Versions 3 of both of these browsers are generally
considered accessible, although one or the other may work better
with a particular screen reader (see Leventhal & Earl, 1997a,
1997b, 1998 for reviews of screen readers). If an Internet
service provider does not include a browser, one can easily be
added. If the browser included does not work with a user's
equipment, another can easily be substituted.
America Online
America Online currently provides a version of Internet
Explorer that works with most Windows 95 screen readers. Netscape
can be substituted, as is the case with generic Internet
services, meaning that America Online users have the same
flexibility of access to Web pages as do users of Internet
services.
CompuServe
CompuServe provides Internet Explorer as its browser and
allows users to substitute Netscape. It is still possible to sign
up for CompuServe and use some of its features through DOS.
However, browsing the Internet through CompuServe requires using
Windows and a graphical browser.
E-mail
Electronic mail, or E-mail, is a fundamental function of an
on-line service. Users can communicate with other subscribers of
the same service and with members of other services via the
Internet. Listservs allow messages to be shared by many people
interested in a particular topic, such as dog owners, saxophone
players, blind computer users, or parents.
Internet service providers
An E-mail package is often included among the applications
provided by an Internet service provider, but, as with the
browser, substitutions can be made easily. Qualcomm's Eudora is
accessible with screen readers and is widely used among computer
users who are blind or have low vision.
America Online
America Online's E-mail system is a proprietary service that
allows the use of only America Online's program. This package is
difficult to use with speech and requires that the user configure
the screen reader to work with the E-mail program and use a
number of "tricks" to make the two programs work together. A
skilled user who is blind can read, reply to, and send E-mail, as
well as and perform basic housekeeping chores such as delete
messages--but none of these operations is easy. Many features do
not allow keyboard access, meaning that the user must use the
screen reader's mouse commands to perform these functions.
CompuServe
CompuServe's E-mail system comes close to performing as
standard Windows 95 software. Messages come up in separate
Windows and the Tab key moves from message body to buttons for
reply, delete, and forward. The address book is easy to use with
speech.
On the E-mail screen, as elsewhere on CompuServe, some
features do not have keyboard commands or menu choices. For
example, to send a message the user must click on the "send"
button with the screen reader's mouse key. However, the buttons
are labeled with text and are easy to find.
Proprietary features
One of the reasons a user may choose one service over
another is based on the added value of that service. For example,
CompuServe advertises its service as providing research
opportunities for serious professionals, whereas America Online
advertises its ease-of-use and convenience value for general
consumers.
America Online
Other than Internet browsing, which is done in a separate
program, all of America Online's features and functions appear in
a single large window. As one activity is left and another
entered, the old information is not automatically cleared from
the screen.
Most Windows 95 screen readers have a feature to allow text
to be spoken as it appears on the screen. If this feature is
enabled, many of America Online's features work at least
partially. Users must remember to close the window of each
activity when finished, or the screen reader may read both
background and foreground information, causing confusion and
wasting time.
America Online has a number of features that let members
communicate with each other. A feature popular especially among
young users is the ability to send a message and have it
immediately be received by another user. When an instant message
is received, it appears in a box that is placed on top of
whatever the user is already doing. By pressing the Tab key, the
user can move to the Reply button and press the spacebar to type
a response. Most screen readers can be made to read the dialog as
the conversation continues. However, since the screen is
cluttered with the previous activity and separate boxes for each
of the parts of the conversation, it can take quite a lot of
skill with the screen reader to locate and reread parts of the
exchange.
America Online subscribers can communicate with each other
in large groups as well as individually. A member can join a
group discussion in progress and read and respond to comments
from other members in "real time." These chat sessions are
difficult for blind users to join, since the usual method is to
click on a graphic. However, searching America Online for a topic
may produce chats on a particular subject, and skilled and
patient users may be able to locate the correct button and join
the group.
Once in the group, the user is presented with a screen full
of names and comments that scroll up from the bottom of the
screen. Most chats appear as a jumble of unrelated words and
phrases. Since several users type comments at the same time, the
screen often scrolls very rapidly. Setting the screen reader to
read the entire window as text appears results in a constant
rereading of the list of recent comments and other boxes of text.
It is extremely difficult to configure most screen readers to
read only the most recent comment automatically. "Reviewing" the
screen is rarely effective since the comments scroll up and off
the screen more quickly than they can be located.
CompuServe
CompuServe offers a wide variety of resources for
professional and recreational use. Its main menu--which lets the
user avoid using Internet search tools such as Yahoo and
AltaVista--displays resources such as business, entertainment,
health, news and sports, family, games, and research. Each choice
in this list box takes the user to another set of options. For
example, under "health" there is reference information on medical
conditions and diseases, information about exercising, and forums
for discussion on these topics.
CompuServe provides well-organized access to news and sports
from the Associated Press, Reuters, and other sources. Here, and
elsewhere on CompuServe, choices are listed and users can click
on the desired choice or press the Enter key to make a selection.
Pressing the Escape key returns the user to the list for another
selection.
CompuServe provides extensive information for investors. The
stock quotes and annual reports are easy to access. CompuServe
also provides up-to-date materials for people in many
professions. In general, most reference materials are accessible.
CompuServe forums present access problems. It is difficult
to access forum messages or to download files on forum topics.
Chat rooms on CompuServe can be located through the menu system,
but it is difficult to configure the screen reader to read the
conversation as it appears on the screen.
Conclusion
The Internet offers blind people almost unlimited access to
information, as well as a means of communicating casually or
professionally with people worldwide. The service chosen to
access the Internet plays a major role in determining what a
blind user will experience while on-line.
America Online is the most popular way of accessing the
Internet for the general population. Its ease of use, friendly
interface, and successful marketing have combined to make it the
choice for beginners and casual users.
America Online is not a good choice for users who are blind.
Its nonstandard controls--buttons and icons--and its lack of
keyboard commands make it difficult for even expert screen reader
users to navigate. CompuServe is much more usable with speech
than is America Online; however, its forums and chat rooms
present access problems for blind users. CompuServe is a good
choice for those who want some structure in what they access on
line and for those who live in a location where there is no
local, low-cost Internet provider.
The best solution for Internet access for people who are
blind is an Internet service provider. The service provides the
way on to the Internet. The user can then choose the most
accessible E-mail program and Web browser for the screen reader
being used. This is the formula for efficient, enjoyable Internet
access with a minimum of frustration.
Manufacturers comments
America Online
"America Online 3.0's default browser is MSIE 3.02. Version
4.0, which is slated to roll out this year, will be offering the
most-up-to-date MSIE 4.01 as the default browser. As always,
members can run any third-party browser software over the America
Online connection.
"The review mentioned that Qualcomm's Eudora is accessible
with screen readers. Later this year American Online will be
offering our members the ability to use Qualcomm's Eudora as well
as Microsoft Outlook Express. So, if the proprietary E-mail
system is not viable for blind users, they will have the choice
to substitute software. America Online also allows users to make
a direct connection to the Internet to download and run most
third-party software. America Online also offers up to five E-
mail addresses per account--which Internet service providers do
not. For blind users who want to share their account with other
family members or co-workers, America Online is thus a good
package value."
CompuServe
CompuServe did not submit comments.
Product information
On-line services
America Online; phone: 800-827-6364; Web Site:
<http://www.aol.com>.
Price: 1. $9.95 per month for 5 hours and then $2.95 for each
additional hour. 2. $21.95 per month for unlimited access. Users
who pay for an entire year of unlimited access in advance can
reduce the price to $19.95 per month.
CompuServe; phone: 800-848-8990; Web Site:
<http://www.compuserve.com>.
Price: 1. $9.95 per month for 5 hours and then $2.95 for each
additional hour. 2. $24.95 per month for unlimited access.
Internet service providers
Note: These service providers are available nationally and are
currently used successfully by blind people. Interested persons
can call for current pricing. For more information, see "ISPs You
Can Count On," 1998.
Concentric Network Corporation; phone: 800-939-4262 or 408-
342-2003; Web Site: <http://www.concentric.com>.
Erols Internet Services; phone: 888-463-7657; Web Site:
<http://www.erols.com>.
Mindspring Enterprises; phone: 800-719-4332; Web Site:
<http://www.mindspring.com>.
Netcom On-Line; phone: 800-353-6600; Web site:
http://www.netcom.com.
References
ISP's you can count on. (1998, January). PC World, pp. 146-
176.
Leventhal, J. D., & Earl, C. L. (1997). A Review of Two
Speech Access Programs for Windows 95: ScreenPower and Window-
Eyes, Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, JVIB News
Service, 91(5), 13-16.
Leventhal, J. D., & Earl, C. L. (1997). A Review of Two
Speech Access Programs for Windows 95: ASAW and JAWS for Windows,
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, JVIB News Service,
91(6), 17-20.
Leventhal, J. D., & Earl, C. L. (1998). A Review of Two
Speech Access Programs for Windows 95: SLIMWARE Window Bridge and
Artic WinVision, JVIB, 92(4), 240-245.
Crista L. Earl, resource specialist, and Jay D. Leventhal, senior
resource specialist, Technical Evaluation Services, National
Technology Center, American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn
Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001; E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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