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Thread: Target Jaws version?

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From: Mickey Williamson
Date: Wed, Apr 29 2015 1:57AM
Subject: Target Jaws version?
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I'm wondering if it's possible to either target the version of Jaws
(something similar to IE conditional comments) or check for Jaws support of
a tag or ARIA role/attribute/etc. Is either possible?

Thanks,
Mickey

From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Wed, Apr 29 2015 5:32AM
Subject: Re: Target Jaws version?
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Hey

Basically, no, it isn´t possible (and users are very much against it,
though sometimes we as developers or accessibility testers sure wish
we could do that).
You might be able to implement a hack to see what software is running
on the users computer .. or ask a hacker for copy of some malware that
would let you, but I wouldn't recommend it. ;)



On 4/29/15, Mickey Williamson < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> I'm wondering if it's possible to either target the version of Jaws
> (something similar to IE conditional comments) or check for Jaws support of
> a tag or ARIA role/attribute/etc. Is either possible?
>
> Thanks,
> Mickey
> > > > >


--
Work hard. Have fun. Make history.

From: Moore,Michael (DARS)
Date: Wed, Apr 29 2015 6:36AM
Subject: Re: Target Jaws version?
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If you are working on an internal application you can test for compatibility with a specific set of hardware and software because your organization controls the environment. If you are building for the public there is not a way for you to detect feature support within the AT. The best approach is to follow the standards and test with the current release. JAWS, Window Eyes, and NVDA all have had very good support for ARIA for a few generations of the product cycle when it is supported by the browser.

Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator,
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
(512) 424-4159 (Office)
(512) 574-0091 (Cell)

From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Wed, Apr 29 2015 6:54AM
Subject: Re: Target Jaws version?
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I personally try to test 2 versions back (or at least 1), especially
with Jaws, seeing as users do have to purchase upgrades.
I usually manage to at least sanity test with Jaws 14 currently.
With NVDA and Voiceover I do try to stay current since they are free upgrades.
I know this does not cover everything.
There are users on corporate networks or on old licenses or equipment
that may not be able to stay this current, but you kind of have to
draw a line in the sand and come up with what seems a reasonably
balanced strategy for testing, because if you start testing with all
types of A.T. and browser combos you end up being unaffordable .. and
what are standards for if not for getting rid of testing with an
endless combo of A.T. apps and browsers.
(I only talk about screen readers here, the reason being that I am
v100% lacking as far as sight is concerned, but testing with
magnification and such is also a very important aspect of
accessibility testing that I sadly have to leave to others).
Cheers
-B


On 4/29/15, Moore,Michael (DARS) < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> If you are working on an internal application you can test for compatibility
> with a specific set of hardware and software because your organization
> controls the environment. If you are building for the public there is not a
> way for you to detect feature support within the AT. The best approach is to
> follow the standards and test with the current release. JAWS, Window Eyes,
> and NVDA all have had very good support for ARIA for a few generations of
> the product cycle when it is supported by the browser.
>
> Mike Moore
> Accessibility Coordinator,
> Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
> (512) 424-4159 (Office)
> (512) 574-0091 (Cell)
>
>

From: Mickey Williamson
Date: Wed, Apr 29 2015 8:51AM
Subject: Re: Target Jaws version?
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Thank you both for the responses! Much appreciated.

Mickey

On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 8:54 AM, Birkir R. Gunnarsson <
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> I personally try to test 2 versions back (or at least 1), especially
> with Jaws, seeing as users do have to purchase upgrades.
> I usually manage to at least sanity test with Jaws 14 currently.
> With NVDA and Voiceover I do try to stay current since they are free
> upgrades.
> I know this does not cover everything.
> There are users on corporate networks or on old licenses or equipment
> that may not be able to stay this current, but you kind of have to
> draw a line in the sand and come up with what seems a reasonably
> balanced strategy for testing, because if you start testing with all
> types of A.T. and browser combos you end up being unaffordable .. and
> what are standards for if not for getting rid of testing with an
> endless combo of A.T. apps and browsers.
> (I only talk about screen readers here, the reason being that I am
> v100% lacking as far as sight is concerned, but testing with
> magnification and such is also a very important aspect of
> accessibility testing that I sadly have to leave to others).
> Cheers
> -B
>
>
> On 4/29/15, Moore,Michael (DARS) < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > If you are working on an internal application you can test for
> compatibility
> > with a specific set of hardware and software because your organization
> > controls the environment. If you are building for the public there is
> not a
> > way for you to detect feature support within the AT. The best approach
> is to
> > follow the standards and test with the current release. JAWS, Window
> Eyes,
> > and NVDA all have had very good support for ARIA for a few generations of
> > the product cycle when it is supported by the browser.
> >
> > Mike Moore
> > Accessibility Coordinator,
> > Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
> > (512) 424-4159 (Office)
> > (512) 574-0091 (Cell)
> >
> >