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Re: reading list mail

for

From: Karen Mardahl
Date: Aug 4, 2011 10:06AM

This entire discussion of preferences for reading list mail and the
accessibility/usability of these things is a great topic. This type of thing
is what got me to thinking years ago about the mere writing of mails on
lists. Even people who don't use screen readers get annoyed at loads of
indent markings in a mail that has zigzagged its way among many people.
Mails become virtually unreadable when they go 8-10 layers deep and line
wraps kick in. Clarity in writing mails helps everyone.

When you add sloppy writing (in groups where people are professionally
capable of high quality writing) and spelling, unfamiliar abbreviations,
huge blocks of text - even images - in the signature, well, I often think,
wow, mails like that must be a nightmare in a screen reader. In other words,
carelessness from people who have the ability to care could be excluding
screen reader users who just go elsewhere for their discussions.

Discussing the accessibility of reading mail lists just shows how
accessibility really is everywhere - somewhat like Elle said elsewhere in
this thread.

Regards, Karen Mardahl