Thread Subject: Re: Web Gaps - keyboard operation

Note

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From: Randy Marsden
Date: Thu, Jan 18 2007 7:30 PM

Not a correct assumption. Many people with motor impairments who can¹t use
a keyboard also can¹t use a mouse alternative. For some of them, switch
access is the only way. A lot of assistive technology switch access
solutions rely on keyboard equivalents to send commands to the target
application. The more things that can be done via the keyboard, the more
things that can be done with a switch via these AT switch solutions.

-Randy
>
> From: "Barrett, Don" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Reply-To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee
> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:00:22 -0500
> To: "TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] Web Gaps - keyboard operation
>

> I understand that; but there are some many analog mouse alternatives,
> that should cover them. I would think the keyboard would be the hardest
> for those with limited motor impairments so a mouse alternative would
> most likely be the choice of AT thus eliminating them from the equation.
>
>
>
> Don Barrett
> Section 508 Coordinator
> U.S. Department of Education
> (202)-205-8245
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Sean
> Hayes
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 5:57 PM
> To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee
> Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] Web Gaps - keyboard operation
>
> I'm sorry, I didn't think the intention of this was specific to blind
> users, but might include those with limited motor skills. I guess this
> illustrates the necessity of clarifying what this provision is actually
> about.
>
> Sean Hayes
> Standards and Policy Team
> Accessible Technology Group
> Microsoft
> Phone:
> mob +44 7977 455002
> office +44 117 9719730
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of
> Barrett, Don
> Sent: 18 January 2007 21:54
> To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee
> Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] Web Gaps - keyboard operation
>
> In all my testing over the years, I have never come across a situation
> in which a blind persons's career was negatively affected because
> drawing capacity wasn't available from the keyboard. I will never use
> PhotoShop, and I don't know any blind person who will. I still haven't
> seen clear concise examples of what is wrong with textually discerned.
> For example, why are we just accepting the notion that freehand drawing
> must be accessible from the keyboard. I am not against the idea if it
> has practical merit, but I want to ensure that the standards provide
> practical guidance, not just satisfy an intellectual desire to codify
> that which isn't necessary.
>

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