WATA Bulletin - SUMMER 1999
Contents:
Surfing Blind: Products to help you 'see' online
Debbie Cook, Director, WATA
What equipment is best for helping the blind to access the World Wide Web? That's a difficult question, given that every user's needs are different and the number of products available is increasing daily. Moreover, technology is changing so rapidly that any answer given today might be inaccurate in two months.
Nonetheless, there are some general guidelines that can help you as consumers and health professionals to make wise decisions in this area. With that in mind, we've reviewed the characteristics of some common products currently on the market. Our discussion is limited to screen readers and browsers under the Windows 9X and NT operating systems. These features are not available for the Mac or DOS operating systems.
Your first decision must be whether to use a screen reader with a commercial Internet browser or to use a self-voicing browser.
A screen reader is software that provides access (through synthetic speech or Braille output), either automatically or on demand, to specific information displayed on the screen. Note, however, that screen readers are not voice activated and should not be confused with voice recognition systems.
A self-voicing browser is a full featured application or application plug-in designed specifically to accommodate users who have difficulty reading, including users who are blind or visually impaired. It includes a dedicated screen reader specifically for that application which will not work with other applications.
SCREEN READERS
You can customize screen readers to work with a variety of commercial applications, including word processing, spread sheets, databases and browsers. But you sometimes pay for this flexibility with increased complexity, causing confusion. As a result, you may need 10-40 hours of training to successfully use the system.
If you use a screen reader you may also have periodic incompatibility problems because screen readers and commercial software are not necessarily upgraded at the same time. Another disadvantage is that screen readers generally do not provide visual support such as text tracking and highlighting, so they may not be useful for those with reading problems but no visual impairment.
Examples of popular screen readers include: JAWS for Windows, http://www.hj.com; Window Eyes, http://wwwgwmicro.com; and Window Bridge, http://www.synthavoice.on.ca. These products provide advanced support for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5 by taking advantage of access features built into the browser. Access to Netscape is more limited.
SELF-VOICING BROWSERS
Self-voicing browsers--designed for a specific application-will not work with other applications. However, because the application is designed for disabled users, you will probably require very little training. Self-voicing applications often provide a visual interface to support text highlighting and other visual attributes, making them useful for individuals with reading limitations but no visual impairment.
Because self-voicing browsers are designed for a rather limited market, however, you may find you receive little product support and few upgrades. You should carefully investigate the track record for support and upgrades before purchasing one of these systems. Examples of self-voicing applications include: PW Webspeak, http://www.prodworks.com; and Home Page Reader (Netscape plug-in), http://www.austin.ibm.com/sns/hpr.html/
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Regardless of whether you use a screen reader and commercial browser or a self-voicing application, you should consider the following features. (Note also that many of these features may not work correctly when visiting pages with inaccessible HTML coding.)
Are pages read out loud automatically when they are loaded?
Are page elements such as frames, tables and columns read in logical order rather than straight across? Some screen readers accomplish this by physically reformatting the page. You may find this useful or it may be distracting.
Can you manually read through all elements of the page using the arrow keys or other logical keys? Tabbing through the page as provided by many browsers only reads the links.
Can you easily identify and read controls such as edit boxes, pull down menus and the "submit" buttons on forms? Some screen readers may require turning off accessibility options to fill out forms.
Can you obtain a list of links and select links by entering the first letter of the link? This technique often reduces the need to tab to links on familiar pages.
Can you return to the previous location on the page? This may avoid tabbing over repeated links such as navigation bars.
Does the product complement other applications you're using? If it's a screen reader does it offer customization for other commercial applications you may need to use? If it's a self-voicing application can it co-exist with other screen reading products and applications?
All the screen readers and self-voicing browsers mentioned above offer free demonstration versions, and most have email support lists where you can get very specific answers to your questions. We strongly recommend obtaining free demonstration versions and trying several products with typical pages you'd like to browse. Then purchase the product that best meets your particular needs.
Legislative & Policy Update
Frances E Pennell
Policy & Funding Specialist
Much is happening in the "other" Washington that is of interest to users of Assistive Technology.
The FCC has approved final rules to implement Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The act requires manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, if this is readily achievable.
According to the Commission, these rules will give people with disabilities access to a range of products and services-such as telephones, cell phones, pagers, call-waiting, and operator services, that they cannot use today. The FCC relied heavily on guidelines developed by the Access Board, which were the product of months of discussion between the disability community and industry.
WATA's director Debbie Cook served on the Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee of the Access Board which made significant contributions to the FCC's final rule. 'Ibis Committee has issued its final report on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that electronic and information technologies purchased by Federal agencies be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
The report outlines recommendations for standards to measure accessibility (meaning that individuals with disabilities are able to perform all regular operating functions, can operate these technologies with commonly used AT and have access to documentation and services.) The proposed standards apply to all electronic and information technologies including those used for communication, duplication, computing, storage, presentation, control, transport and production. Copies of the Report can be found on the Access Board website at http://wwwaccess-board.gov/.
As this article goes to press, Congress still has not resolved differences in the Senate and House versions of a Patients' Bill of Rights and the House has not yet passed the Workforce Incentives Improvement Act-an act that will make it easier for individuals receiving social security disability benefits to retain their medical benefits when they go back to work.
In Olympia, many agencies are rewriting their rules and regulations. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has issued new regulations that now provide an easy to understand guide to the rules governing delivery of vocational rehabilitation services. The Medical Assistance Administration is rewriting regulations including those that govern coverage of rehabilitation services, medical therapies and many other services. You can obtain copies of the DVR and MAA rules by calling the Rules Coordinator at (360) 664-6094, emailing the rules coordinator at wallpg@dshs.wa.gov or by visiting the DSHS rules website at http://www.wa.gov/dshs/dockets.
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has proposed new rules governing contracts between insurers and medical care providers and extending High Risk Pool coverage to counties where no comprehensive individual health plans are commercially available. Contact Kacy Brandeberry at (360) 664-3784 or via the internet at KacyB@oic.wa.gov. You can also visit the OIC website at http://www.wa.gov/ins/. OSPI is drafting proposed rules implementing IDEA 97 which are expected to be issued at the end of the summer.
Calendar of Events
NO BOUNDARIES: A Traveling Visual Arts Exhibit showcasing works by Northwest Artists with Disabilities: September 21 - October 21, 1999, Seattle, WA
Grand Opening will be held Friday, Sept. 24 at the Harrison Street Gallery in Seattle.
The exhibit will be displayed locally and in the northwest at various galleries and venues
for approximately nine months.
For more information: Bittin Duggan, Exhibit Director of VSA Arts of Washington, 305
Harrison St., Suite 303, Seattle, WA 98109, (206) 443-1843.
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) World Conference 1999: October 6-9, 1999, Orlando, FL
Manufacturers, sellers, service providers, and professionals in Assistive Technology
industry will show case, train and educate on the newest technology and applications
available in Assistive Technology.
Contact ATIA, 526 Davis Street, Suite 217, Evanston, IL 60201, (847) 869-1282,
email: ATIA@northshore.net or on the Web at http://www.ATIA.org.
Closing the Gap, Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation: October 21-23, 1999, Minneapolis, MN
The 171, Annual Conference will cover a broad spectrum of technology as
it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation,
vocation, and independent living.
Contact Closing The Gap, PO Box 68,526 Main St., Henderson, MN 56044, (504) 248-3294
email: info@closingthegap.com or on the Web at http://www.closingthegap.com