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Re: WebAIM Discussion List Digest 05.08.2004. ( Talking browsers - your opinions)

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From: Mark Stimson
Date: Aug 5, 2004 9:36AM






RE: WebAIM Discussion List Digest 05.08.2004. (Subject: Talking browsers - your opinions)




Lainie,


I do NOT recommend using anything but one of the standard screen readers (for example: JAWS, Window Eyes, and SuperNova).  Why?  Because your testing will result in far too many 'false positives'!  That is, you will end up 'fixing' a lot more than you really need to.  The standard screen readers are built to access information in many different ways to optimize the access of any particular site to the user.  Talking browsers, on the other hand, are not for the totally blind user, but instead for people with low-vision who are still using their sight (the added modality of speech helps the user understand text that is difficult to see/read).  The talking browsers (and many free text-to-speech synthesizers) are not built to read everything on the screen, which is what is required for users who are totally blind. 

If your concern is cost, you can always download a fully-functional demo version of JAWS, which works for 30 minutes (I think), and to continue using it beyond that requires restarting your computer.  Because you are testing for accessibility, Freedom Scientific may be willing to give you a free 'evaluation' copy, which works for a full 90 days (after that, it goes into the full-functioning demo mode).

If your concern with JAWS (or Window Eyes and SuperNova) is knowing how to use it well enough so that your testing is representative of the population, then I highly recommend getting some formal or informal training.

If you have more questions you can email directly if you wish.  I'm happy to share what I know.


Best regards,

Mark



Mark Stimson, Ph.D.

Access Technology Specialist

Sensory Access Foundation

1142 West Evelyn Avenue

Sunnyvale, CA  94086

Phone: 408-245-7330, ext 32

Fax: 408-245-3762

<EMAIL REMOVED>

www.sensoryaccess.com


SAF Mission: To assist people who are blind or visually impaired to obtain or retain competitive employment by providing the highest quality access technology assessment, computer training, job placement and accommodation services with a goal of achieving 100% job retention.