Ian
I totally agree with what you have said.
The very 'freedom' of the web, to my mind, will always mean non compiance so
far as site design is concerned. This is something which will always be
present, and we have to accept that. Access compliant sites will always be a
tiny subset of the total. Our clients need to experience the depth and
bredth of information out there, its no good giving them a list of sites
that they can access and saying don't bother about the rest - or worse put
them off completely be letting them find out for themselves! The solution is
to be found by taking a step back and using the emulation of mouse and
keyboard functions in hardware- not a difficult task, and one that is
readily availble. Yes it can be slower depending on the level of the
compromised individual, but it will provide access how ever obscure the
site.
Richard Taylor IMEE
Shaftesbury Society
Kings MSc. in AT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian F." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 1:04 AM
Subject: Re: Web browsers
Most web sites are developed with Internet Explorer in mind. Some sites just
don't work properly in other browsers.
It's ok for assistive tech professionals to marvel about accessible
alternative browsers such as Opera, but we are techies and can deal with any
quirks we might encounter when the browser fails to handle a page designed
for IE. We can switch from Opera or other browsers back to IE if the page
doesn't work properly.
It's important to evaluate how well other browsers handle all the
non-standard IE-specific stuff people put in their websites (e.g. ActiveX
controls) as much as how well they work with access technology. It's not
much use to the user if he or she can control all functions of the browser
via switch access but cannot access badly-designed web pages that work
perfectly in I.E..
It's important to put pressure on web developers to ensure their sites are
compatible with all browsers, but it's equally important to ensure Microsoft
accept their responsibility as market leaders and ensure I.E. is fully
accessible to switch and other access technology users. I.E. should be fully
accessible.
Ian Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: "ea" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 10:22 PM
Subject: Re: Web browsers
> That is even more interesting and I am wondering if there is a consensus
> as
> to which is the best browser for switch access as I know EdWeb
> (http://www.emptech.info/product_details.php?ID=2025) has been designed
> with this in mind but had not thought Opera would be so good.
>
> Many thanks for coming back on the subject.
>
> Best Wishes E.A.
>
> Mrs E.A. Draffan
> Assistive Technologist
> Mobile: 07976 289103
> http://www.emptech.info
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Derwent
> Sent: 03 March 2005 19:45
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Web browsers
>
> That is a drawback I hadn't realised or considered, and also an
> interesting
> article from the BBC. From our point of view at Putney however, our most
> challenging clients are generally those who are 'locked-in' or nearly
> locked-in with one minimal switch activation site, and also have reduced
> vision. They can often cope with the screen if it is magnified, but
> combining fully featured screen magnifiers with switch scanning software
> has
> always been quite difficult, especially if there are memory or other
> cognitive problems as well. For this sort of situation, we have got quite
> excited about the possibilities of Opera.
>
> By the way, from the way I'm talking it may sound like I've spent a long
> time on these problems myself, but I should point out that its actually
> Jane
> Bache (also on this mailing list) who has really put loads of work in to
> crack these problems for our clients.
>
> Cheers
> Gary
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ea" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 10:59 PM
> Subject: Re: Web browsers
>
>
>> Sadly certain screen readers like LookOut and Dual will read across
>> its menus to the web page and back again - its actual interface is
>> not
> totally
>> accessible - the BBC have written some notes on the subject
>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4208751.stm
>>
>>
>> Best Wishes E.A.
>>
>> Mrs E.A. Draffan
>> Assistive Technologist
>> Mobile: 07976 289103
>> http://www.emptech.info
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals.
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Derwent
>> Sent: 02 March 2005 19:39
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Web browsers
>>
>> I expect most of you are aware of this, but I wish somebody had told
>> me earlier !
>>
>> The Opera web browser is fantastic for accessibility. It has brilliant
> built
>> in zooming magnification, keyboard controlled cycling through all
>> links on
> a
>> page, whether text or graphical (and the magnification follows which
>> ever link is currently displayed), easy ability to switch off web
>> sites own CSS Style Sheets and use one of 10 ready made styles, most
>> of which are specifically aimed at accessibility, and loads of
>> keyboard shortcuts which make it really easy to hook these features up
>> to most switch scanning systems if needed.
>>
>> Its also free (the free version has a small advertising bar along the
>> top, but it has never annoyed me, or you can pay $39.00 for an
>> advert-less
>> version.)
>>
>> If you haven't tried it, I recommend giving it a go - www.opera.com -
>> current version is 7.54
>>
>> Cheers
>> Gary
>>
>> Gary Derwent
>> Compass - Electronic Assistive Technology Service Royal Hospital for
>> Neuro-disability
>>
>>
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