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RE: Numbers and JAWS

for

From: sean keegan
Date: Nov 4, 2003 9:53AM

Todd,

I am going to echo Jared's comments on this issue.

While it technically may be possible to "hack" a page to get the desired
response you want (I really don't know in this case), the user may end
up having more difficulty as their assistive technology is no longer
responding in a manner consistent with how the user interacts with it.
I have been involved in several situations where webmasters have created
a page that works exceptionally well for one version of one
screen-reader, only to find out later that the page would not work in
subsequent versions of the screen-reader (or other assistive
technologies). Not the best solution...

A screen-reader user can manipulate their technology to get a specific
type of feedback. This can include how financial information is
presented (i.e., "dollar sign x" or "x dollars"). Better to stick to
standard HTML coding and development than to try and make something work
in only one version of one type of assistive technology. When that one
version changes, it could mean retrofitting a lot of content that you
just got to work.

Good luck,
sean



Sean Keegan
Web Accessibility Instructor
High Tech Center Training Unit for the
California Community Colleges
Cupertino, CA
408.996.6044