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Re: TAdER - Understanding text customization needs for readability

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From: E.A. Draffan
Date: May 10, 2012 4:59PM

I am not sure this is relevant but we have been researching similar issues of readability in relation to using web sites and services with text resizingm increased line spacing, text to speech etc. We cannot help with PDFs but have developed the ATbar (www.atbar.org) for English and Arabic speakers. It has several features that were requested by students who found some aspects of the web hard to access (in particular those who have dyslexia and do not always have AT available). It is hoped that in the future we will be able to ask users to allow us to track how they are using the toolbar so we can learn more about user requirements.

At present ATbar has several features that are available within browsers, but as it works with all the main browsers it solves the issue of where some feature may work in Chrome but not Firefox or Internet Explorer or vice versa. It is also customisable with use of the marketplace to build a personalised toolbar. http://marketplace.atbar.org/en/

It is very much work in progress by the team and the developer Seb Skuse. Being an open source project funded by the Mada Center in Qatar, we are really keen to encourage a community around the ATkit framework both in English and Arabic http://api.atbar.org/ .

It would be great to collaborate!

Best wishes E.A.

Mrs E.A. Draffan
ECS, University of Southampton,
Tel +44 (0)23 8059 7246
Mobile +44 (0)7976 289103
http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk
http://www.emptech.info

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Shawn Henry (uiAccess projects)
Sent: 10 May 2012 22:00
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] TAdER - Understanding text customization needs for readability

Hi WebAIM folks,

Yesterday Global Accessibility Awareness Day efforts sought to raise awareness of accessibility broadly. Today I'd like to introduce you to efforts to raise awareness of a specific issue: users' need to adapt text (change size, line spacing, colors, etc.).

The TAdER project encourages developers to include specific text customization functionality in their products -- including Adobe Reader for PDF, e-book readers, web browsers, and other 'user agents'. TAdER is working to raise awareness and understanding of users' needs to format text for readability -- specifically, people with low vision, dyslexia, and related conditions that impact reading.

To people who need to customize text for reading:
Would you like to share your experience reading text online? Or participate in a study? See http://www.tader.info/#urinvited

To accessibility specialists:
Do you understand the accessibility barriers of PDF for people with low vision, dyslexia, and related conditions that impact reading? http://www.tader.info/ has some information now and we'll be adding more.

To developers:
Let us know how we can support your including text customization functionality in your products.

For updates:
If you would like to get updates about the TAdER project work, please send e-mail to <EMAIL REMOVED> with subject: TAdER Updates

Let's work together to make text more readable for everyone -- including Angelita whose low vision and text formatting needs differ depending on the level of inflammation in her cornea; and Ben who has no significant disability, yet regularly has problems reading text and sets user style sheets to increase text size, line height, and contrast. (Read Angelita's "Confessions of a Miserable Low Vision Computer User" & about "just-a-geek-in-glasses" Ben at http://www.tader.info/users.html )

Sincerely,
~Shawn

NOTE: This is not a W3C WAI project. See http://www.tader.info/#affiliation





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Shawn Henry
+1-617-395-7664
<EMAIL REMOVED>
www.uiAccess.com/profile.html
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