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Re: Google Sites Accessibility

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From: Rebecca Weber
Date: Oct 8, 2024 11:16AM

Hello there,
Thanks for your message. Yes, as a screen reader user, I agree.







Rebecca Weber

Accessibility Specialist

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

6340 Flank Dr

Harrisburg, PA 17112

Phone: 717-901-2284

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www.pattan.net<;http://www.pattan.net/>;



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Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Google Sites Accessibility

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Based on my humble experience as a screen reader user, opening any file using a browser is still not as accessible as opening that file with the proper application. Whether it is a PDF, Excel, Word or PowerPoint, there is always readability concerns with browser-based applications. Even when I open files through Microsoft Teams or OneDrive, I always set Windows to open them with the proper desktop application. I won't go into the technical part of it in order to keep my response simple. It is primarily a technical limitation on the screen reader's side, due to how it recognizes foreground applications.

As a Digital Accessibility Engineer, I tell developers, UX Designers and A11Y engineers to always recommend the use of desktop-base applications to open PDF, Doc or PPT files. Sure a flat-head screw driver can be used with a Phillips screw head. However, it is not a robust tool like a proper Phillips screw driver. The point is to use the proper tool for the proper file type. That's where many A11Y defects can be eliminated.