I recently posted a message to the list about seeming incompatibilities
between Netscape and JAWS, a screen reader we use for visually impaired
students. (Original message attached below).
I have summarised responses (although in essence the answer appears to be
use Internet Explorer instead).
A number of others have experienced these difficulties and I have been told
that: [Allegedly] Netscape has never really addressed the problems. JAWS
is written to an industry standard and interacts with applications written
using those standards. Henta-Joyce, Kurzweil Educational Systems, Dolphine
and many other enabling technology providers have informed Netscape, but
issues with Netscape appear to get worse rather than better.
Database producers that I contacted seemed unaware of this problem and also
admitted that it was unlikely they could do anything about it.
One Library has written their own scripts to get round the problem so that
their users can still access the catalogue and databases on Netscape,
although they still recommend use of Internet Explorer instead.
For alternative solutions to reading web pages see
http://www.soundlinks.com/index.html
Alternatives to using the mouse, you may be able to use the cursor keys.
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Accessibility Options>Mouse>Mousekeys
check the tick-box
Also the control [ control ] key pairs change font size in many applications
Clare Allan
[log in to unmask]
Stirling University Library
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The message below this one was posted on the lis-nesli list but I think it
may be of wider concern.
The message highlights a problem we have recently encountered on our public
PCs which have the software JAWS loaded on them. This software is on all
our PCs for visually impaired students. However it is causing a display
problem from Netscape (not Internet Explorer) for many of our databases e.g.
BIDS, CSA, etc. Crucial information is not displaying.
Has anyone else encountered this problem and come up with a solution?
Please reply to me directly ([log in to unmask]) and I will summarise for
the list.
Clare Allan
[log in to unmask]
Stirling University Library
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From: Sean Dunne[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Reply To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 02 March 2001 13:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Science Direct for Visually/Mobility Impaired
--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Colleagues --
One of our profs, who is blind (uses JAWS, a standard screen reader),
recently ran into some navigational problems while attempting to use Science
Direct. The crux of the problem was that the tab key would not come to rest
on the SEARCH button in a basic search, so all of her efforts were
ultimately in vain, as she could not actually invoke the search she had
typed in. This glitch would also affect anyone who, for whatever reason, is
unable to use a mouse.
I contacted Elsevier, who worked with Science Direct on this. Turns out
Science Direct was developed using Internet Explorer, so when you access
Science Direct using Netscape you'll run into this, but when you are using
IE the problem doesn't occur. It's not a perfect world, but this really
does help to know.
Here I would like to particularly thank James Hunt, Helpdesk Analyst, RSO
America and Lindi Belfield, of Tech Support.
Mr. Hunt was unfailing gracious and doggedly persistent, and Lindi Belfield
took the concern very seriously. Those who regularly deal with issues of
electronic product accessibility for disabled users are aware that this
response from vendors is still fairly rare.
Cordially,
Bryna Coonin
Coastal Resources Management Librarian,
Joyner Library, North Carolina Collection
East Carolina University
Greenville, N.C. 27858
Phone/Voicemail: 252.328.0431
Fax: 252.328.4834
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web Page: http://personal.ecu.edu/cooninb
--- End Forwarded Message ---
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