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Date: | Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:16:32 -0700 |
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hello guys,
well, as the subject says, my letter here is about radio programming software and accessibility (or the lack of it).
So far, there are 2 major packages out there:
1. chirp (open source and free)
2. RT Systems ($49 and works with NVDA in windows)
Now, the first one (chirp) is not at all accessible in windows or OS X. THe largest part of the problem is the interface design. I have tried several times to get the developer to make his software accessible and received either a lot of negative pushback or no response at all. Apparently, he is not interested in dealing with the blind ham community. Now, his linux software package is mostly (the operative term) accessible, but extremely difficult to navigate. Again, this is an interface issue. As far as I know, there aren't a great many blind hams using Linux or OS X (except for logging). Now, he might change his mind if every blind ham in the US were to start emailing his users list and asking for accessibility to be built in. More than a couple of hundred would certainly garner his attention.
RT Systems:
I jus got off the phone with these folks. From the information they presented me, the software is fully usable in windows using NVDA. They had some problems with the jaws interface, and have put that side of things on hold until they can get a better grip on the issues. I have suggested they check out blindempowermentzone.com. There are tips for programming for accessibility in virtually every programming environment. anyway, I haven't tested this myself, but I have heard a youtube video produced by a blind ham demonstrating its use. In all honesty, I think spending $49 and getting a product that works is a lot better than waiting on an uncompensated developer to get the hint.
what say the rest of you?
Eric Oyen
n7zzt
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