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Re: Web Accessibility For Notetakers

for

From: Ella Yu
Date: Nov 18, 2015 10:38PM

I totally agree with you, but some sites could be made somewhat
simpler but still have the same features. Some sites are just
ever so slightly too complicated.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Harrison, Rita L" < <EMAIL REMOVED>
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED>
Date sent: Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:49:22 +0000
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web Accessibility For Notetakers

Good Afternoon List,

After reading some of the comments, I would like to share my
observation and personal opinion as follows, for those who may
not be familiar with Notetaking Devices.

First, I absolutely agree that there is no need to make sites
simpler, if they are coded correctly. Individuals using
Assistive Technology (AT), should be able to navigate without a
problem, provided there is proper structure and all elements are
labeled.

Braille Notetakers serve many other purposes than just surfing
the web. Having and using a braille display is an important
piece in braille literacy, which allows someone the ability to
read and write with ease, as those who have vision read and write
print.

I personally use and have done so for years, a Braille Notetaker
and find it much more portable to use when I lead and/or attend
meetings, when I'm doing a formal Presentation and for taking
notes on the fly.

Rather than discourage someone from purchasing and using a
Braille Notetaker, perhaps the focus should be on those who
manufacture and sell these devices, to use a more current
browser, so everyone using these wonderful devices, are able to
access the information they need when they need it, because the
cost of these devices is high and we should expect to be able to
access information online using a current browser.

I absolutely understand some of the frustration voiced here and I
thank you for affording me the opportunity to share my view.

I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

Rita L. Harrison, FDA 508 Coordinator
Lead, 508 Web Task Force
Chairperson, Advisory Committee for Employees with Disabilities
(ACED)
OO/OIMT/DBPS/IIB
Web Support Team (WST)
Phone: 805-620-0203
<EMAIL REMOVED>

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
On Behalf Of Lucy Greco
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 10:34 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web Accessibility For Notetakers

blind users are able to use all of the sites you mention there
is no
reason to make these more simplified. what you really should
be asking
for is ways to learn how to use modern web apps. using devices
lie a
braille note or braille sense are crutches. these devices were
never meant
to be the way to access the INTERNET i get vary frustrated when
blind
people say i can't use a web site with my 12 year old or more
technology
my advice to a person wanting to by a note taker today is save
your
money and pay for training on how to use a computer and mobile
phone to do
your tasks and you will still have money left at the end to by
things on
the INTERNET that your modern devices can access. i get vary
upset when
students come to me saying i can't use a web site with my
braille note.
when the web site is accessible if they were just using the write
tech to
do so.
in the age of bring your own device we have a responsibility to
be sure
the device we are bringing meets the base line for
security and
access that every one else has to meet. If a blind person is
useing a
device like a braille note to do things like enter there ssn or
other
personal data its only a matter of time before that data is used
against
them

On Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 9:36 AM, Ella Yu < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
wrote:

Thank you for your insights, Simon.


----- Original Message -----
From: Simon Evans < <EMAIL REMOVED>
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED>
Date sent: Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:19:09 +0000
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web Accessibility For Notetakers

Hi Ella,

WinCE with only IE6 being so popular in disability contexts
definitely
gives this merit; its still supported/licensed until 2016/2018
too, so
brand new BrailleNotes and several popular AAC/enviroment
focused
devices still ship with it. Even when newer hardware allows a
move to
later operating systems, the high cost of these devices will
often mean
a geological lifespan for earlier models.

Accessibility was a good argument for maintaining limited 'IE6
support'
on websites, but one that was drowned out by the huge weight of
hate
against it in general use and the focus on screenreaders and new
Standards in accessibility circles. Since its official demise on
desktops, most developers probably don't consider IE6 for an
instant and
awareness of specialist hardware is generally quite low.

I'd guess if you raise the prominence of the use case, some
influential
bloggers/writers might pick up on it - it's quite an
interesting,
'counter-cultural' issue and one that adversely effects
thousands of
people.



Simon




On 11/11/2015 1:28 AM, Ella Yu wrote:
Hi all,
I'm hoping this is acceptable for this list. I'm wondering if it
is
possible to make certain sites such as outlook, gmail, google
services
(play, groups and drive) and yahoo services more accessible for
people
who have old browsers and are unable to upgrade. I think these
sites
could be simplified and have the same essential features. What
do you
think?

--
Lucia Greco
Web Accessibility Evangelist
IST - Architecture, Platforms, and Integration
University of California, Berkeley
(510) 289-6008 skype: lucia1-greco
http://webaccess.berkeley.edu
Follow me on twitter @accessaces