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Re: screen reader recommendations, etc.

for

From: Paul R. Bohman
Date: Mar 20, 2006 1:40PM

Austin, Darrel wrote:
>>From a business standpoint, I'd probably not choose JAWS by default
> simply due to its price. I can see the argument that JAWS is popular but
> it's popular because people that need it have already purchased it for
> their own computer, so they likely aren't the type of person that would
> need to use a public library computer for computer access.
>
> It may be the best option, but I'd look at some of the open source
> options first.

I'm a strong supporter of the concept of open source software, but I'd
have to say that in this case I'd recommend going with the software that
most people use, which probably means JAWS and/or Window Eyes as far as
screen readers are concerned. I say this because each piece of software
has its own set of keyboard shortcuts which can take quite a while to
learn. The open source packages are Linux-based (not Windows or Mac) and
that would require having someone on hand who knows how to run
Linux-based computers. In addition, if users will be doing anything
other than searching the web, many common software packages such as
Microsoft Office will not be available for these Linux-based computers.
Yes, there are open-source alternatives to MS Office, but most users
will not be familiar with them. I would try to make the software as
"accessible" to the users, not just in terms of disability access, but
also in terms of familiarity.

But screen readers are not the only assistive technology. You should
consider screen enlargers and perhaps other software and/or hardware
such as:

- adjustable-height, wheelchair-accessible tables
- page-turning devices
- alternative input devices (trackball mouse, eye-gaze tracking,
one-handed keyboards, etc.)
- and other assistive technologies (there are thousands of options)

These can get quite expensive, and not all of them are relevant to
visual disabilities, as per your initial email, but there are certainly
other types of disabilities worth accommodating.


--

Paul R. Bohman
Technology Coordinator
Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities (www.kihd.gmu.edu)
George Mason University (www.gmu.edu)