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Re: Screen Readers as a Development Tool for Web Developers

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From: Moore,Michael (HHSC)
Date: Jul 28, 2015 8:23AM

I always love it when developers complain about the cost of tools to determine if what they build can be used by everyone - but the rant can wait for later.

First some alternatives:

As Joseph pointed out the JAWS demo version is fully functional in 40 min mode and as pointed out in the comments of the original blog post you can use it to evaluate whether it would meet your needs as a testing tool. How long and detailed your evaluation phase is, probably gets you into a gray area. The download page for the demo version does not list any licensing restrictions currently.

If you have Microsoft Office (cost $400) AI Squared will allow you to download and use a fully functional copy of Window Eyes. http://www.windoweyesforoffice.com/ This is a darn good fully functional screen reader but does not have as large a market share as JAWS.

Joseph mentioned that NVDA is available to download for free from NV Access. http://www.nvaccess.org/ Continued development of this product is dependent upon donations from those of us who use it. Set your own price.

VoiceOver is included in OSX with the price of a Mac ($1000+). The market share for people who are blind is still relatively low.

<rant>
The cost of JAWS relative to other developer tools is not exorbitant. $800-$1000 and you can keep it current by purchasing an SMA for about $120 per year. (for comparison Adobe Creative Cloud is about $600 per year) Seriously, what did those Macs cost? Did your company through in a few 4K displays for the designers? How about your Creative Cloud licenses from Adobe, Microsoft Office professional, adding Windows OS and how many other tools?

Mechanics don't complain (too loudly) about the need to purchase special tools to complete a single repair on one make of car. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians all have specialized tools that they only need for certain jobs - some are quite expensive and friend of mine in those professions are usually quick to show me new ones when they get them.

People balk at the cost of JAWS and think that Freedom should supply a "developer" version at lower cost. I guess that the discount should be supported by increasing the cost to blind users who's median income must be well above that of us poor underpaid web developers.

Show a little pride in your toolbox. Add a nice shiny new license for JAWS 16 and show it off to all of your friends. Buy an SMA and be the first one on your team to master JAWS 17 when its released.
</rant>

Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Office
(512) 438-3431 (Office)
(512) 574-0091 (Cell)