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Re: Problem with Terms of Use Acceptance Form: Accessibility Issue or Operator Error?

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From: Nusbaum, Christopher
Date: Jul 17, 2014 7:59AM

Birkir,

Thank you for this feedback. I will respond to each section individually.

BG: This is an interesting issue.
I assume this is on a website, correct?
CN: Correct. It is an encrypted Web site which can only be accessed after entering a username and password specific to one's MS Exchange profile with the school system, but a Web site nonetheless.
BG: Have you, or can you, try to do the same thing using NVDA?
CN: I have not yet tried this. However, the fact that it doesn't work with JAWS is a problem for our school system, as we use JAWS exclusively as our screen reader of choice. I know, I don't agree with this either, but the decision came from people way above my paygrade. However, I will try to install NVDA on my work computer and see if it works--assuming, of course, that the firewalls they've put in place will let me download it.
BG: Did you try to get to the accept controls using the tabkey?
CN: Yes, but the fact that there was still content in the scrollbar which hadn't been read through still prevented the activation from succeeding.
BG: If using the mouse to scroll to the end of a scrollbar is the only way, that is a clear violation of WCAG success criterion 2.1.1 (device independence).
CN: Where do I find this criteria? I may want to forward it to our devs.
BG: m not sure what fancy web technologies could be used.
But at minimum the terms and conditions could be put on a different page which you would have to activate, and the controls you need would only appear after you navigate to that page.
CN: They are already on a separate page which must be navigated to from the homepage of the Portal.
BG: Basically, I do not think they need to babysit you like this, if you go tu check "I have read and accepted the terms of this license"
checkbox, not having done so becomes your responsibility, not that of the UI designers.
From that perspective, all they would have to do is to trust you and not try to verify that you have read this lovely piece of literature.
CN: <Rant:> I hate to say this, but It's not that simple with the schools. My experience both as a student and an employee here has taught me that the school system does not trust anybody--not students, not teachers, not even IT people. No security or authentication stone is left unturned. If I suggested this to my boss, as much as I like working with her, she would probably tell me about some horrible experience with a former employee or some legal consequence from which they are trying to protect themselves. I agree with you, but I'm not sure my higher-ups would. <Rant end>

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I will look into NVDA and see if it works.

Chris

Christopher A. (Chris) Nusbaum, Intern
Technology Services Department
Assistive Technology Program
Carroll County Public Schools
Phone: (410) 751-3428
Cell: (443) 547-2409
Email: <EMAIL REMOVED>