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Visual Verification

Visual Verification: Accessible CAPTCHA Options for vBulletin Forums Now and in the Future

August 12, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

vBulletin, a leading provider of online web based forum software, currently features an inaccessible CAPTCHA that provides no reasonable accomodations for blind and visually impaired users. This means that all forums based on vBulletin’s software currently show us the “No Blind People Allowed” sign during the registration process. At this time, there is one way… Finish Reading Visual Verification: Accessible CAPTCHA Options for vBulletin Forums Now and in the Future

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Visual Verification: Urgent Request to Test Browser Compatibility with Audio CAPTCHA Implementations

August 11, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

Recently, we have discovered a rather disturbing trend. Even in cases where sites do provide us with an audio CAPTCHA, it does not always work. In many scenarios, no audio is heard at all! The ability to hear these audio CAPTCHAs often depends on which browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) and which version of that… Finish Reading Visual Verification: Urgent Request to Test Browser Compatibility with Audio CAPTCHA Implementations

American Council of the Blind (ACB) Resolution 07-21 on CAPTCHA Accessibility

August 11, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

R07-21 Captcha WHEREAS, proprietors of websites have found it necessary to use graphical image verification (CAPTCHA) to enhance website security and to ensure consumer privacy; and Whereas, the use of CAPTCHA on websites has recently increased for purposes relating to identity verification; and Whereas the images and codes that are used for CAPTCHA are inaccessible… Finish Reading American Council of the Blind (ACB) Resolution 07-21 on CAPTCHA Accessibility

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Visual Verification: THaCAA – Telling Humans and Computers Apart Automatically

August 7, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

As we already know, there are more options besides audio and visual CAPTCHA that may be used to tell the difference between computers and humans. The open source project THaCAA – Telling Humans and Computers Apart Automatically represents another way to protect valuable web site resources without excluding anyone based on sensory factors such as… Finish Reading Visual Verification: THaCAA – Telling Humans and Computers Apart Automatically

Visual Verification: CAPTCHA Accessibility and the Yahoo! Petition Discussed in Depth on Security Now Podcast

August 1, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

We thank Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson for reading an e-mail I sent them concerning the need for CAPTCHA accessibility on episode 102 of their Security Now! podcast and discussing it in depth. This show even has an excellent transcript that serves to meet the needs of the deaf or those who would just rather… Finish Reading Visual Verification: CAPTCHA Accessibility and the Yahoo! Petition Discussed in Depth on Security Now Podcast

Audio Promos Now Available for the Yahoo! Accessibility Improvement Petition

July 29, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

Thanks to Steve Bauer of ACB Radio fame, the following audio promos for the Yahoo! Accessibility Improvement Petition are now available for podcasts, streaming Internet broadcasts and all other audio programs where running public service announcements may be appropriate: Yahoo! Petition Promo 1 (dry voice track, no background music) Yahoo! Petition 2 (fast, dance music… Finish Reading Audio Promos Now Available for the Yahoo! Accessibility Improvement Petition

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The Subtle Differences Online Petitions Can Make in Accessibility Advocacy Issues

July 27, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

As I continue to promote the Yahoo! Accessibility Improvement Petition initiative, I receive occasional private and public comments from those who wonder whether these online petitions really can make a difference or just represent a waste of everyone’s time. Of course, I feel they can serve to effectively support taking positive action on the accessibility… Finish Reading The Subtle Differences Online Petitions Can Make in Accessibility Advocacy Issues

Visual Verification: Slashdot Persists with "No Blind People Allowed" Sign While Ignoring Requests for Assistance!

July 26, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

Slashdot, a recognize source of news for technology enthusiasts and professionals, is an example of a site that claims to provide a manual intervention path for their inaccessible CAPTCHA. The CAPTCHA is used to protect the account creation process and prevent comment spam. Visually impaired users are directed to send e-mail to pater@slashdot.org to receive… Finish Reading Visual Verification: Slashdot Persists with "No Blind People Allowed" Sign While Ignoring Requests for Assistance!

Visual Verification: FEMA’s Example Shows One Way to Do it Right for Everyone

July 24, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

The Federal Emergency Management Agency appears to have learned its lesson after Hurricane Katrina, where it did not permit blind and visually impaired citizens to complete online applications for assistance due to the inaccessibility of its visual verification scheme. The government agency has since done a 180 degree turn, providing a text based CAPTCHA that… Finish Reading Visual Verification: FEMA’s Example Shows One Way to Do it Right for Everyone

Press Release: Yahoo! Asked to Reasonably Accomodate the Blind by Adding Audio CAPTCHA

July 24, 2007 • Darrell Shandrow Hilliker

Yahoo! Asked to Reasonably Accomodate the Blind by Adding Audio CAPTCHA An online petition is being circulated worldwide asking Yahoo! to implement an audio alternative to their graphical CAPTCHA (visual verification) process so that the blind and visually impaired will be afforded the same level of access enjoyed by the sighted. All Internet users are… Finish Reading Press Release: Yahoo! Asked to Reasonably Accomodate the Blind by Adding Audio CAPTCHA