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Re: New [free] accessibility tools - Acronym and abbreviation generator

for

From: Holly Marie
Date: Apr 23, 2003 8:42AM



----- Original Message -----
From: "10Tests Project" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
To: < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 9:21 AM
Subject: RE: New [free] accessibility tools - Acronym and abbreviation
generator


> Copyrighting is essential, but the trouble with selling such tools is
> that in an emerging industry, web-site designers need to be encouraged
> to 'design-in' accessibility. Having to pay for such tools may
> discourage developers from implementing accessibility features.

Making money was not my primary concern. though I would hate to see the
big corporate powers to be make a lot of money on Ian's excellent idea.

I am thinking about the tool that the independent developer created back
a few falls, to use with flash that allows better captioning ability
than other media access items. [by the way this tool for flash also
appears at WGB - magpie site)

I agree with you and ALL tools need better accessibility items, and
access for authors wishing to create accessible documents or files.
period. They are standards, they are guidelines, and they should be
available in all tools. And the GUIs for such items should not be
confusing or buried layers or tabs deep so they can be easy to miss or
hard to use.

I use homesite, but I also hand edit my work or hand author my work. I
use a few of the shortcuts that Homesite offers. For 3 versions(or more)
Homesite has been ahead of the game with having areas to include
accessibility items in documents. All along these were there, however
not every user explored or used the simple basics on these. This cannot
be said for some of the more popularly used WYSIWYG editors though.
[sadly, even today]

I think a KEY point in getting these items to be used is having top
level simplicity, not convoluted checking processes or time consuming
other steps.

But this is another area that I have some strong personal feelings. As I
have to help people find out where these items are and how to use them.
[and then also teach or help people see that just using them does not
make the piece more accessible, but using some thought along with using
is that other level of learning]

I am more about selling the idea, the item, or the process to tool
makers, and letting Ian get at least the credit for such a postive add.

I think there are a few companies that are willing and also looking for
ideas of this nature to help make using their tools towards standards
and accessibility in positive ways.

Only had one cup of coffee today, so I hope some of this makes sense.

holly


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