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Use of Audio Interferes with Screenreaders?

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From: Thomas Walczyk
Date: Feb 5, 2004 3:01PM

Hello!

Are there any guidelines or best practices concerning how audio may be
incorporated without hindering the use of a screenreader (such as JAWS)? I
am working on a web-based training course that includes audio narration. In
certain instances involving Flash animation with embedded audio, the
narrator automatically begins to speak when the user enters the page.
(Unfortunately, technical specifications limit the course to Flash 5 rather
than Flash MX.)

Although we provide audio transcripts and alternate text description of the
animation, there is still a problem in that both JAWS and the narrator are
speaking at the same time.

* Could a user experienced with JAWS adequately deal with this
situation?
* Would this situation (a screenreader and an audio file speaking at
the same time) be a violation of any of the WAI conformance levels? I could
not find anything in the standards that directly addresses this issue.

Many thanks!

--Tom--

--Tom Walczyk--
Senior In