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Thread: New forum created for the blind and visually impaired
Number of posts in this thread: 4 (In chronological order)
From: John Martyn
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2014 11:56AM
Subject: New forum created for the blind and visually impaired
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Hello all,
I'd like to get your opinion on a new forum I created from the ground
up. You can find out all the details of how it works here in this post.
http://www.doitblind.com/forum/index.php?category=1&;&view=15#goToPosts
The forum focuses mainly on accessibility and I would love to hear some
suggestions.
Thanks,
John Martyn
DoItBlind.com
From: Olaf Drümmer
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2014 12:11PM
Subject: Re: New forum created for the blind and visually impaired
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Hi John,
what is the reason you are mostly using tables to design the forum page(s)? Just curious
Olaf
On 25 Aug 2014, at 19:56, John Martyn < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> Hello all,
> I'd like to get your opinion on a new forum I created from the ground up. You can find out all the details of how it works here in this post.
> http://www.doitblind.com/forum/index.php?category=1&;&view=15#goToPosts
> The forum focuses mainly on accessibility and I would love to hear some suggestions.
> Thanks,
> John Martyn
> DoItBlind.com
>
>
> > >
From: Stores, Mary A.
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2014 12:28PM
Subject: Re: New forum created for the blind and visually impaired
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Hello,
I'd like to see how the forum works if, say, I reply to a topic, and then someone replies to my reply. That's where things get interesting with forums.
I also think that navigation of yoru forum would be improved by using different landmark regions.
Finally, I understand, as a blind person myself, that there are a lot of issues blind people face while navigating the web. However, I really wish we as blind people would reach out to other groups of people who would have trouble accessing the web, such as people who are deaf, non screen-reader users who only use the keyboard to navigate, etc. I only say this because if someone Googles web accessibility challenges and your forum comes up, as well as the NFB certification, people will probably think only blind people have trouble accessing the web. This is just my opinion though.
Mary
From: Chagnon | PubCom
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2014 12:49PM
Subject: Re: New forum created for the blind and visually impaired
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Mary wrote:
"... if someone Googles web accessibility challenges and your forum comes
up, as well as the NFB certification, people will probably think only blind
people have trouble accessing the web...."
Mary has an excellent point.
I spend the first part of my accessibility classes (to US Federal employees)
demonstrating that accessibility isn't only for those who are blind. I have
a long list of disabilities, syndromes, and physical conditions that affect
how well someone can work with a computer.
Right now, I often hear the question, "why do we have to spend the time and
money to make our documents accessible when it affects only a small
percentage of the population?" Usually they cite 3% or 4% of the population
is blind.
We all know the answer: computer and information accessibility affects
closer to 25-30% of the population when all physical, mobility, and
cognitive disabilities are included.
John, I think it's ok to have a forum dedicated to accessibility for blind
and low-vision users, but it would be good for the community if you can
clarify that you're addressing only one facet of accessibility, not the
entire topic or everyone with a disability. It's the "strength in numbers"
theory...together, we can make more impact and change public opinion!
Just my 2 cents' worth.
-Bevi Chagnon
- PubCom.com - Trainers, Consultants, Designers, and Developers.
- Print, Web, Acrobat, XML, eBooks, and U.S. Federal Section 508
Accessibility.