Another Screen Reader Letdown on the Job

by

Yet another component of my job has become inaccessible due to the failure of a piece of mainstream software, in this case an extremely large HTML table data structure, to be usable with the two most widely implemented screen readers: JAWS and Window-Eyes. There are potentially negative and serious consequences in store for me as a result of all this ongoing inaccessibility. Of course, as we blind people are largely off the radar screen of the technology industry, this scenario of inaccessibility at work is growing exponentially. Our ability to participate in employment will bleed away from us if we’re unable to find ways to constructively address issues of technology access. Listen to this podcast for details.

Download and Listen

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief: Donate Now!

by

We here at the Blind Access Journal urge everyone to follow our lead by making a donation to the Red Cross to provide disaster relief to the victims of the recent Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and elsewhere in the affected area. Let’s show how we as blind people can actively participate in society by making a critical contribution to the relief efforts.

Gaining Access to Enable Participation: All We Ask…

by

When we ask companies in the electronics and information technology industries to become more accessible, all we ultimately expect them to do is follow these three basic steps:

  1. Take us seriously. Grant sincere, thoughtful consideration to requests for accessibility.

  2. Seek input from the blind community.

  3. Take reasonable steps to implement positive changes resulting from the input so we the blind can equally participate in the world around us alongside our sighted peers.

Humor Alert: Relationship Problems With Inaccessible Computers!

by

Karen has been experiencing serious technology problems after an upgrade of her computer hardware and operating system at work last week. She has been visibly upset over the consequences the lack of access to an important work related application has caused to her ability to perform the duties of her job. Some of her coworkers have asked her if she is having relationship problems. When she told our friend Tina about the issue, she replied with the following hillarious response.

Hey there, Karen,

ROFL about the relationship problems, particularly the human and canine variety,
definitely not problems there!

Hey, tell whoever might ask about that kind of thing, that you’ve got a big and
serious problem going on in your love/hate relationship with your work computer!
It recently underwent an operating system transplant, and since the computer is
experiencing treatment resistent communication difficulties in the area of
output, particularly when dealing with blind people, neither you nor your
computer are adjusting very well to the current situation. It’ll need an
adaptive technology therapist, versed in the special needs of blind humans and
sight-oriented computer output systems, to come in and work with you two, both
individually and as a couple, to assist in resolving
your current issues with one another. LOL LOL!

If, after appropriate evaluation and intervention, your computer is unable to
manage its own adaptive communication behavior, a special team will convene to
draw up an Individualized Output Program, (IOP), with specific and measurable
goals and objectives to assist this computer with a potential communication
disorder, to interact in a more positive, socially and vocationally appropriate
manner with blind end-users in the workplace setting.

First Impressions: Google Talk Seems Inaccessible; Tell Them About It!

by

I decided to try Google’s new instant messaging and chat application. Sadly, like most new software, my first impression is that it is rather inaccessible. I have just sent the following letter to the Google Talk support team requesting accessibility improvements.

Dear Google Talk Support Team,

I have just downloaded and installed the Google Talk beta. Unfortunately, there appear to be problems for blind users who rely on screen readers. I am not able to effectively navigate the Google Talk main window. There appears to be no basic keyboard support such as the ability to use the arrow keys, tab key navigation and keyboard shortcuts. Please work with your new accessibility team to insure the accessibility of Google Talk by the time of its release as a fully working product. I am looking forward to a prompt, affirmative response to this concern.

Sincerely,

Darrell Shandrow

Blind Access Journal

Google representatives have told the world they haven’t prioritized accessibility due to lack of feedback. Let’s not make that same mistake now! Please provide your own feedback to the Google Talk Support Team asking for accessibility to the new Google Talk instant messaging software.