I would try Narrator but there is a current problem where enabling Braille
in Narrator disables it in JAWS and NVDA. Microsoft is aware of the problem
and is working on a solution. I have heard that Narrator works really well
with the newest version of the
Edge browser. Another interesting thing about Narrator and I don't think
the other screenreaders do is that when a page loads, Narrator announces the
number of elements for each category on the page. For example, page has 20
links, 2 regions, 4 landmarks, 2 lists, 15 buttons, 5 checkboxes, 4
headings, and 3 combo boxes. I made up this example though. I use NVDA
most of the time but sometimes use JAWS. I would like to learn Chromevox on
a Chrome book and VoiceOver for the mac but don't have money for those
things right now.
I think Microsoft wants to make Narrator sophisticated enough that people
will want to use it as one screenreader option and not just when another
screenreader fails. Microsoft has a saying 'all day every day' when it
refers to the use of all of their produc ts including Narrator. The fact
that the manager of the Microsoft Narrator team is blind indicates Microsoft
is taking Narrator very seriously. When I recently visited my local library
they asked me for a recommendation of how to provide an accessible computer
for blind users. I suggested using NVDA since it would provide support for
most things a library patron needs to do.
Freedom Scientific will need to rethink it's promotion of JAWS. Right now a
company or government agency would not want to accept NVDA as they view it
as a security risk even though NV-access has addressed security issues. I
suspect this will change. My previous employer certified NVDA and made it
available in their software center. If I were in a position to advise
Freedom Scientific, I would suggest they get out of the desktop computer
market and stick with JAWS development for kiosks. Freedom Scientific likes
closed environments, and a kiosk is one technology which requires a closed
environment for security and privacy reasons.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
<[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 8:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] 2 questions for y'all
Mike, you are absolutely spot on regarding the benefits of having multiple
browsers and screen readers. It is a little better today than in in the past
as far as resistance by students who are blind refusing to do just that.
However, most are still reluctant to venture beyond one browser and one
screen reader. It drives me nuts, because such resistance severely limits
their access to content. This is particularly true when working in course
management systems and the number of side apps that faculty and institutions
run in parallel with those systems. The best thing that happened that pushed
most to use a different browser was Microsoft's decision to retire Internet
Explorer. As far as screen readers, I see students committing to using only
JAWS or NVDA. This is such a limiting attitude for them to take. When they
can't access content in a course or on a site they visit, if they would just
try using the other screen reader, it would open up access and make
acquisition of information a little less difficult.
And now Windows Narrator is becoming a strong competitor for accessibility.
Getting people to switch screen readers right in the middle of a task to see
if they can gain better access is a really difficult concept to inculcate in
screen reader users.
Best,
Terri
Terri Hedgpeth, Ed.D.
Director, Accessibility, EOSS-TT
901 S. Forest, McClintock Hall, 109
Arizona State university
Tempe, AZ 85281
***************************************
Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.
Verna Myers, author and speaker
***************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
<[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Mike Pietruk
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 5:21 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] 2 questions for y'all
Let me expand upon this question by suggesting that one ought to have
multiple browsers (and, yes, screen readers) on their PCs.
True, one will be the default browser; but I have long ago discovered that
certain sites and/or pages work (for me) better with a certain browser and
perhaps even a given screen reader.
And, if you use a site regularly, it may be well worth the effort what works
best for you -- and I mean for you, not me or a bunch of other people who
aren't in your shoes or use a pc in the way you happpen to.
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