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Re: Web Accessibility For Notetakers

for

From: _mallory
Date: Nov 19, 2015 4:57AM

IE6 wasn't only dropped because everyone hated it. There were very
strong security reasons for its drop as well.

I'm a rather strong proponent of "users should have choice in their
hardware/software" and do not believe everyone needs to be running
a bleeding-edge nightly just because some people can. I remember
when, after IE11 was released, my system had to block updates to IE
and stick to 9 because that's all ZoomText supported. I also knew
that that would not permanently be the case, but some web developers
looking only at numbers were dropping IE9. Looking at the numbers in
this case seemed a silly reason: these same developers were making
sure to support screen reader users, but there is a much larger group
of sighted low-vision users than screen reader users (or, seems to
be from various surveys and some data from WHO which isn't perfect by
any means).

On the other hand, when a vendor states "this product is no longer
being supported including no security updates" and stories hit the
mainstream news about leaks into Google via IE6 due to its terrible
security (due mostly to its age and not being updated), or when the
amount of code to support something quite old is nearly more than the
basic code you write for "all modern UAs", it's time to go ahead and
tell people that some stuff just isn't supported anymore.

Sorry, but I find GMail rather unworkable myself. It's almost as if
someone stroked their goatee and mused "how can we take the concept
of mail and complicate it beyond all belief?" So the original idea
of "maybe stuff needs to take a step back" is valid, but not to the
point of supporting software that's much too out of date and a
security hazard for all.

_mallory

On Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 10:33:45AM -0800, Lucy Greco wrote:
> blind users are able to use all of the sites you mention there is no
> reason to make these more simplified. what you reely 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
> > > >