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Re: Accessibility vs. Google and Microsoft Exchange

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From: Phil Teare
Date: Jul 15, 2008 9:50AM


Hi

I use them, but not in your context.

fwiw I think the Google offerings are far superior for most, simply because
they are 'access anywhere'.

But sounds like I'm not quite who you're after.
:)
Phil

Phil Teare,
CTO & Chief Architect,
http://www.talklets.com from Textic Ltd.
(44) [0] 208 4452871

2008/7/15 Kara Zirkle < <EMAIL REMOVED> >:

> Hi Phil,
>
> You make some good points, however using a basic HTML takes away functions
> that the "normal" Gmail offers. However Microsoft Exchange and Exchange
> Light (the accessible version) also has some of these same issues. However
> I'm not looking at only the email portion. I'm also looking at the other
> applications supported on the education version. Such as the live
> collaboration piece, online storage, web page creation, etc. that varies
> between Microsoft Exchange and Google. Have you had any experience with
> these? I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has used these other
> features
> that are used through the educational portion of these applications.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kara Zirkle
> IT Accessibility Coordinator
> Assistive Technology Initiative
> Thompson Hall RM 114 MS: 6A11
> Fairfax Campus
> 4400 University Drive
> Fairfax, VA 22030
> Phone: 703-993-9815
> Fax: 703-993-4743
> http://www.gmu.edu/accessibility/ati/home.html
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Phil Teare
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:37 AM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Accessibility vs. Google and Microsoft Exchange
>
> Use the 'basic HTML' version of Gmail would be my simple advice.
>
> I'm sighted but have reading difficulties. Exchanged is not dyslexia
> friendly. At all. The usability of a site/app is effectively the biggest
> access issue for those like myself, where 'working memory' is an issue.
> We're a big group - and in the uk at least, pretected by the DDA.
>
> I believe that Gmail 'basic HTML' is pretty good through a screen reader
> now, too. But I have a lot less experience from that angle.
>
>
> Just my take.
>
>
> Phil Teare,
> CTO & Chief Architect,
> http://www.talklets.com from Textic Ltd.
> (44) [0] 208 4452871
>
> 2008/7/14 Christian Heilmann < <EMAIL REMOVED> >:
>
> > ~G~ wrote:
> > > This is the major hurdle that WAI-ARIA is and will hopefully solve.
> > > Creating accessibility solutions for the RIA's which include javascript
> > > frameworks/applications such as what Google is doing.
> > >
> > >
> > Yes and no. the Danger there is that ARIA becomes a silver bullet. While
> > it is true that ARIA is there to bridge the gap between HTML and RIA and
> > get asssistive technology support as a freebie it is not an excuse to
> > build applications that assume your browser can do things instead of
> > testing for them.
> >
> > > I would say that that the js framework that supports ARIA more
> complete,
> > > will be the one to get behind, support and work with in creating
> > accessible
> > > RIA solutions.
> > >
> > Yes, the bigger issue is however the browser support. As long as we are
> > stuck with IE6, ARIA is not a solution. We need to clean out all the
> > things that are dependent on IE6, but these are systems that were built
> > with a 5 year support contract and a big IT company name and not by
> > developers who appreciate the diversity of the web.
> >
> > If you are looking for a framework that does a great job implementing
> > ARIA, check out Dojo.
> >
> >