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RE: IBM Home Page Reader

for

From: Joel Ward
Date: Oct 16, 2001 2:21PM

Hi Glenda,
From what I have heard and read, none of the three major screen readers
(JAWS, WindowEyes and HPR) properly associate headers with cell data (using
id/headers) or read the scope attributes.
However, these two methods are the only way that the Access Board has
suggested for making tables accessible and Section 508 compliant. See:
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm#(g)
I am also curious if there is a way for any of the screen readers to process
these accessible table attributes. If not, will they be compliant with the
standards? When? Or is it a web browser issue? (Is IE at fault or the
assistive technology?)
These attributes would be great way to make our HTML pages easier to read
for all users IF the user agents could understand them properly.
For the meantime, I will continue to code with the id/headers or scope
attributes in my tables, even though I cannot test their functionality.
Does anyone have more information?
Joel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glenda Watson Hyatt" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
To: "WebAIM accessibility forum" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 3:53 PM
Subject: IBM Home Page Reader

> I've downloaded the demo version of IBM Home Page Reader to gain a better
> understand of how screen readers actually sound. Quite an eye opener.
>
> I am wondering if IBM HPR is a fair representation of screen readers. The
> reason I ask is that it didn't seem to handle data tables as I expected.
> Cell headers weren't linked with cell data. Is there a HPR setting I need
> to change? Or, doesn't HPR work this way? I'd appreciate insight here.
>
> And, while I'm here, according to WAI:
>
> Labels for radio buttons and checkboxes should appear after the radio
button
> or checkbox. For example:
>
> Choose your area of interest:
> [] Personal Development [] Management Skills
>
> Have I interpreted this correctly? Why have the checkbox before hearing
> what you are checking? Or, do I have something wrong? Thanks.
>
> Cheers,
> Glenda
>
>
> PS Can anyone explain why IBM HPR needs Microsoft IE to operate? Is IBM
in
> bed with Microsoft??
>
> *********
> Glenda Watson Hyatt
> Soaring Eagle Communications
> "Creating freedom and power through accessible communications"
> E Mail: mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Website: http://www.eaglecom.bc.ca
> Want to know how to make your website accessible to more people?
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> mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
>
> *********
>
>
>
>
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