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Date: | Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:17:09 -0500 |
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> It seems that unless you are a sophisticated computer/screen reader user,
and willing
> to take the time and effort to learn to jump through hoops, that webmail
> software is not an equally accessible way of communication for college
> students. Hopefully, designers will improve the interface in the near
> future.
I worry about the proliferation of web-based applications because every
web-based app that I have ever seen has been less accessible than comparable
Windows-based applications to people with a wide range of disabilities.
I have been experimenting recently with using macros to streamline access to
webmail. For example, I scripted a set of macros to speed access to
www.hotmail.com for non-mouse users: I have hotkeys to go to the Inbox,
reply to a message, start a new message, delete the current message, logoff,
and so on. Similar macros might work for JAWS users. Unfortunately, the
macro software package that I know best conflicts with Window-Eyes. There
are other macro scripting tools that are 100% screen reader accessible.
Also, the scripting tools built-into the major screen readers can be used to
create these kinds of workarounds.
Macro workarounds for web-based applications tend not to be robust. A macro
can fail if a user inadvertently changes browser settings, or when
developers decide to "refresh" an application's look and feel. Macros tend
to require a lot of maintenance. But when they are working, wow!!!
Alan Cantor
Cantor Access Inc.
[log in to unmask]
www.cantoraccess.com
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