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From: Barthofer Michael
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 5:40AM
Subject: checking flash for accessibility
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is there a possibility to check the accessibility of flashmovies if I have not "the up-to-date versions of the JAWS and Window-Eyes screen readers" as mentioned on http://www.webaim.org/techniques/flash/?

michael barthofer


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From: L
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 6:00AM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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michael barthofer wrote:

"is there a possibility to check the accessibility of flashmovies if I have not "the up-to-date versions of the JAWS and Window-Eyes screen readers" as mentioned on http://www.webaim.org/techniques/flash/?"

It is quite likely that your Flash won't be accessible to screen readers other than the more recent versions of Jaws and Window eyes, but you can download demo copies of both.

Jaws v6.2 from Freedom scientific, which has a 40 minute demo:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_downloads/jaws.asp

Window Eyes v5.0 from GW Micro, which has a 30 minute demo:
http://www.gwmicro.com/demo/

In both cases you can just reboot the computer and the demo will run over again.

Alternatively, it could be worth talking to your local organisations for visually impaired people and asking for users to look over the Flash you're working on.

L

From: Tim Beadle
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 7:20AM
Subject: Re: checking flash for accessibility
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On 8/18/05, L

From: L
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 8:00AM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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Tim Beadle wrote:

"I don't know about any other developers, but having to reboot my computer *just so I can test a web site for more than 30/40 minutes* seems, well, crap."

Agreed. I'm a Jaws user, but I try to keep my skills with other screen readers in some kind of order and it drives me scatty having to reboot each time a demo stops working.

Some time ago there was talk of Freedom Scientific making Jaws available to developers for a reduced price. UK distributors Sight and Sound were involved I believe:
http://www.sightandsound.co.uk/

I know there was something of a ruckus from users of Jaws, because they weren't happy with the fact it could be sold cheaply to developers and not consequently to the people who actually used the application. That's a sticky argument that could go around in circles indefinitely, but it could be worth contacting FS to see if anything came of this.

Otherwise, I'm always happy to look over something if it would be any use. I can't promise I'll always have the time to help, but if I do I'm happy to.

L

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 10:00AM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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> I don't know about any other developers, but having to reboot
> my computer *just so I can test a web site for more than
> 30/40 minutes* seems, well, crap. My computer stays running
> 24/7 with the screen locked overnight, so that all my
> programs (and heaps of Firefox tabs) are the same from day to day.
>
> The result? I won't be testing in Jaws or Window-Eyes...

Tink is right about trial versions being a decent solution, but not
ideal. If anyone is going in this direction, using Window-eyes 4.2,
4.5, or 5.0+ or JAWS 4.5 or 6.1+ (there are issues with Flash in JAWS
5).

Tim, if you don't want to reboot your machine then this option is not
available to you and that's your decision. If you have a client who
wants Flash development you will spend more time in development if you
don't have a good testing strategy in place (e.g. working with someone
who does have a screen reader, having a copy yourself, scheduling time
at a local library/university). Any software application developer will
face the same issues, whether they develop in Flash, HTML/javascript,
C++, java, etc....

AWK

Andrew Kirkpatrick
Principal Accessibility Engineer, Macromedia
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From: Tim Harshbarger
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 10:20AM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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> Some time ago there was talk of Freedom Scientific making Jaws >
available to developers for a reduced price.

I would suggest taking a look at IBM's Home Page Reader (HPR.) I don't
remember if HPR will handle Flash or not, but that information should be
on the site. It is not a full fledged screen reader since it only works
within a browser, but may be sufficient for your testing purposes.

Honestly, my experience is that most developers do not have or make the
time to learn how to use JAWS or WindowEyes like a blind user does or
set up the test procedures to ensure consistent and meaningful results.
If a developer does not have time to do that, I think it makes better
sense to use a tool like HPR, whose output is more geared for sighted
developers -- or better yet, observe people with disabilities using that
content.

I suppose what works best depends on what resources are available to the
developer at the time.

Thanks,
Tim

From: Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 10:23AM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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Actually, HomePage Reader relies on Internet Explorer and I assume
because of that, also reads most of the desktop information as well. I
can navigate the desktop and file system using only Home Page Reader.

I'm a JAWS user, and haven't specifically tested Home Page Reader with
Flash. The product does work well, including some features that not only
simulate end-user disability, but do a fair job of educating the
user/developer using Home Page Reader.

Regards,

Norman Robinson

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Thu, Aug 18 2005 1:10PM
Subject: RE: checking flash for accessibility
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> I'm a JAWS user, and haven't specifically tested Home Page
> Reader with Flash. The product does work well, including some
> features that not only simulate end-user disability, but do a
> fair job of educating the user/developer using Home Page Reader.

I nwglected to mention HPR, but HPR 3.04 can read Flash, as can ZoomText
8.1+, and HAL/Supernova 5.

AWK