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Re: evaluating Web accessibility software

for

From: Jon Gunderson
Date: Jul 21, 2003 9:18AM

The major problem with all these evelaution tools is they promote
accessible repair rather than accessible design. This leads to web designs that
may technically meet the requirements of a particular accessibility
specification (508 or WCAG), but are not functionally accessible to people
with disabilities. The majority of these tools require manual checking
of the accessibility markup (many times ignored because the Bobby
approved sticker comes up any way one ALT text is available for all
images) and therefore require some knowledge knowledge of accessibility by
the author.


I suggest that you attempt to look a functional accessible testing
[2] using a browser like Opera, that allows authors to easily view their resource
in high contrast and text renderings and navigate the structure of a web
resource using keyboard commands. Use your money to provide training on
functional accessibility.

I would be happy to talk to you more about it.

Jon

[1] Opera, http://www.opera.com
[2] http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/presentations/2003-01-09-UIC/part4/slide27.html

On Thu, 17 Jul 2003, Wendy R. Mullin wrote:

> Hi everyone -
>
> I'm among a group of state employees in South Carolina who are evaluating
> various Web accessibility testing and validation tools, such as Bobby,
> LIFT, HiSoftware... If we find a tool we like and that we can afford, we
> may try to purchase a state-wide licence for the product for all state
> agencies to use.
>
> Question 1:
>
> We would like to know if any other state is doing this too -
> * evaluating Web accessibility testing and validation tools at the
> state-wide level
> * and either purchasing a state-wide licence for the product or making a
> recommendation on software purchases to state agencies
>
> If so, we'd be interested in knowing
> * what process you are using to evaluate these software tools
> * and what product(s) you ended up recommending or purchasing
> * as well as what made you choose a particular product over another.
>
> Question 2:
>
> We would like to know what others think of the various Web accessibility
> testing and validation tools available, both free (such as The Wave,...)
> and fee-based (such as Bobby, LIFT, HiSoftware, etc....). What tools do
> you use, and why? Have you had positive or negative experiences with the
> companies selling these tools? Etc...
>
> If anyone would rather not send your opinions to the list, you can send
> them to me privately at <EMAIL REMOVED> .
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Wendy
>
> Wendy R. Mullin
> Web Developer, University of South Carolina
> 1244 Blossom Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
> voice: 803-777-6785 | fax: 803-777-4149
> <EMAIL REMOVED> | http://isg.csd.sc.edu/~wmullin/
>
>
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