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Re: We are being told the Java Access Bridge does not apply to Web Based Java Applications

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From: Sailesh Panchang
Date: Jan 4, 2013 10:01AM

My understanding is the same as Léonie's. But with respect to Jim
Allan's comment:
>>There is another kind of web application that uses the Java Virtual machine
>>on the users computer. It is delivered over the web, sometimes in an HTML
>>wrapper (web page). If it uses the virtual machine, then you need the
>>Access Bridge in order to make the application function with a screen
>>reader.

Well in that case, this is critical for a user to know.
And I have not seen any Web application say 'for accessibility support
make sure you have JavaAccessBridge installed'
And provide a link to download / install it as there are links for
Adobe Reader in case of PDF docs for instance.
When a Web app does not work right, I have had Support tell me ensure
you have the latest Java installed for the browser using
http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp

There is no reference to AccessBridge there.
And installing the Java AccessBridge is not a piece of cake like
installing the Adobe Reader plugin for instance.
I am sure Jim is right but how come this documentation gap has not
surfaced before now?

Sailesh Panchang


On 1/4/13, Jim Allan < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> Java can be used on the back end in the form of Java Server Pages
> (functions much like PHP). As with all code it can be written to produce
> accessible web pages and web applications.
> There is another kind of web application that uses the Java Virtual machine
> on the users computer. It is delivered over the web, sometimes in an HTML
> wrapper (web page). If it uses the virtual machine, then you need the
> Access Bridge in order to make the application function with a screen
> reader. Keyboard access and font size changes and all of the other
> accessibility stuff will have to built into the application.
> Good luck.
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 3:15 PM, Don Mauck < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
>> Yes, this is the part that needs to be clear. If they are just writing
>> JAVA applites like you would use as a JAVA script, that is not a big deal
>> at all. However if they are truly writing the application as a stand
>> alone application then they must use the AB API correctly. I think that
>> while Peter Korn might be able to supply answers, the Oracle JAVA team
>> itself should be the one's to address this. Who and what is this company
>> and what is the intent of their application do we know that?
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Léonie Watson [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
>> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 11:32 AM
>> To: WebAIM Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] We are being told the Java Access Bridge does not
>> apply to Web Based Java Applications
>>
>> Michael Burks wrote:
>> "We are being told the Java Access Bridge does not apply to Web Based
>> Java
>> Applications. Has anyone ever heard this?"
>>
>> It should apply to applets, but as with stand alone Java applications,
>> work needs to be done to the applet to make it accessible. The Java
>> Accessibility API can be implemented through the Java Foundation Classes
>> (JFc) Project user interface components.
>>
>>
>> My understanding is that support for Java, especially Java applets, is
>> inconsistent across screen readers (with or without the bridge). It may
>> be
>> this that's caused the above statement to be made?
>>
>> Léonie.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
>> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Michael Burks
>> Sent: 03 January 2013 15:59
>> To: WebAIM Discussion List
>> Subject: [WebAIM] We are being told the Java Access Bridge does not apply
>> to Web Based Java Applications
>>
>> All,
>>
>> We are being told the Java Access Bridge does not apply to Web Based Java
>> Applications. Has anyone ever heard this?
>>
>> Thank you in advance for any help.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Mike Burks
>> <EMAIL REMOVED>
>> >> >> messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>
>>
>>
>> >> >> messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>
>> >> >> >>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Allan, Accessibility Coordinator & Webmaster
> Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
> 1100 W. 45th St., Austin, Texas 78756
> voice 512.206.9315 fax: 512.206.9264 http://www.tsbvi.edu/
> "We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." McLuhan, 1964
> > > >