icq is usable though i wouldn't say friendly.
I know quite a few people that say you'll do better to look for the 99
version of icq rather than using the latest version icq 2000.
some people do use icq 2k, i think the main problem with it is the
registration screen but once you have it set up its ok.
if you do want to look for the 99 version then you need to search the web
for file icq99a.exe there is no shortage of sites offering it up.

icq offers both channel and 1 to 1 chat in public and private forums whereas
msn, which is indeed very easy to use is a 1 to 1 instant messaging system
for existing friends, that is you must know the Email address of the person
you want to talk to and add them to your contact list.
msn supports 1 to 1 or multiple person text chats or 1 to 1 only voice chat.

Adrian Higginbotham,
SURFACE
Salford University, Research Focus on AcCessible Environments.
E-mail [log in to unmask]
tel: 0161-2954939
fax: 0161-2955011
sms 278314405199094 this is a text # only it does not accept voice calls.
web: http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pranav Lal" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 2:56 AM
Subject: Re: What is a chat that is screen reader friendly?


> Hi Norman,
>
> MSN messenger is very friendly as I can testify from personal experience.
> ICQ must be friendly since a lot of blind friends use it.
>
> Pranav
>
> At 02:10 PM 10/18/2001 -0700, you wrote:
> >I have plenty experience with chat that is totally inaccessible and some
> >that work with screen readers but are horrible.
> >
> >What is there that is friendly?
> >Norman
> >
>