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Re: Now that IBM will no longer besupportingHomePageReaderwhat else to use or recommend.

for

From: Nelson-Brooks, Carolyn
Date: Nov 14, 2006 2:00PM

Yes that was a bit of a rant. But that's ok. I can take ranting; and,
yes, I do realize how much work goes into making websites and
applications accessible for people using screen readers. Still, because
of the pricing of the different screen reader software packages, a
little more accommodation needs to be made for those of us who might be
able to afford to buy the full versions of the software with financing
of some kind. I know I would appreciate some accommodation. Yes, I do
work; however, I can't just pull $895 or whatever the current price for
Jaws is out of the sky. I'm just looking for resources offering grants
or financial help and I'll do the rest. I don't think that's too much
to ask.



-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Rebecca
Ballard
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 12:25 PM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Now that IBM will no longer be
supportingHomePageReaderwhat else to use or recommend.

Carolyn,

I've been away from my email for a few days, so am only just picking up
the threads... Whilst I acknowledge that the cost of Jaws is high for
individual users, there is a hell of a lot of development that goes into
any new version of a screen reader. Have you looked at how many
mainstream applications that they support, and how many new versions?
Screen reader developers do not have the economies of scale that the
Macromedias and Adobes of this world have, (let alone the Microsofts)
and yet they still have to keep pace with new versions of mainstream
apps as well as improve themselves. Yes we would all love jaws and
window-eyes to be dirt cheap but we also want them to work with
mainstream apps that people are using every day in work - yes there are
disabled people out there in work, including some who work for Freedom
Scientific and GWMicro. But quality takes resources.

Sorry if that was a bit of a rant and if someone has replied already
with this slant...

Rebecca

<EMAIL REMOVED>

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-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of
Nelson-Brooks, Carolyn
Sent: 09 November 2006 19:32
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Now that IBM will no longer be supporting
HomePageReaderwhat else to use or recommend.

Ok, now you guys got my attention.

This is my dilemma also. Currently I'm using the demo version of Jaws.
Yes, it really is a pain to have to reboot your computer every 40
minutes...
And, the price is indeed too high for individuals purchasing single
versions of the software. These vendors of screen reading software
programs should be ashamed of themselves. They all know that most
individuals using Jaws or Window-Eyes are usually living on disability
benefits which we all know is nothing; so they should be a little more
accommodating. If anyone has any information about resources for
obtaining screen reading software free, through grants, at reduced
prices, etc., please post it here. I'm sure we all would like to
communicate with these companies.



-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Moore,
Michael
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 11:15 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED> ; WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Now that IBM will no longer be supporting Home
PageReaderwhat else to use or recommend.

For small groups who can live with a bit of a loss in productivity the
demo version of JAWS will run for 40 min intervals for a period of one
year, then you have to down load a new copy. The biggest pain is that
you have to reboot after 40 mins if you wish to continue testing.
However if your organization is medium to large in size, purchasing a
full blown version of assistive technology products should be a normal
cost of doing business. After all, compared to the price of Dreamweaver
Studio, Adobe Creative Suite and other assorted hardware and software
that many development groups use, < $1000 US for a full blown screen
reader to add to the testing lab seems like a reasonable business
expense.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Sandra Clark
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 11:49 AM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: [WebAIM] Now that IBM will no longer be supporting Home Page
Readerwhat else to use or recommend.

I've been recommending Home Page Reader (and using it myself) as a lower
cost way of testing accessibility features since the latest version came
out. Now that is no longer going to be possible what are other avenues?
Many of the people I train or consult with do not have the budget to be
able to accommodate Jaws or Window-Eyes for testing purposes.

Any suggestions I can look into?

Entry noting that "Homepage Reader is dead"
http://ability.aol.com/ability/index.php?ID=118&;catID=7

Sandra Clark
=============================http://www.shayna.com
Training in Cascading Style Sheets and Accessibility



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