WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Web Accessibility For Notetakers

for

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Nov 19, 2015 8:56AM


> 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.

As an FYI -- the Cognitive and Learning Disabilities Task Force at the W3C is working on some documents that may eventually assist users in personalizing the user interface to make them less complex, more personalized, and only show the user relevant information.

http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/cognitive-a11y-tf/wiki/Personalization_criteria
http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/cognitive-a11y-tf/

Jonathan

--
Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
SSB BART Group
<EMAIL REMOVED>

703-637-8957 (o)
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Blog | Newsletter


-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Ella Yu
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 12:39 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web Accessibility For Notetakers

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