Hi,
Java deals with accessibility in its framework
from the start. Objects support the accessible
interface which defines how a UI or any java
object can respond to adaptive technology. So,
the APIs of Apple or any other vendor, are
hidden. It's up the JVM to implement the java
framework on the native platform.
If you're interested in this, I suggest you look
at the java.accessibilty package and the
accessible interfaces in the java framework docs.
I have not seen an accessible java application on
any platform, so I cannot comment on what a Mac
would do to a properly coded java application.
You've made me curious though....
--Scott
AGreed as well, and very good post! I'm
actually wondering the same thing myself, but
for differing reasons. I'm wanting to do a bit
more work with Java apps on the Mac and need to
know more about this very issue.
VO may be a moving target behind the scenes,
and that sure would be an issue for the moment,
but as it seems that Apple has taken quite a bit
of care to create / maintain / make public,
their framework for accessible apps, I'd doubt
it. However, as improvements are always being
made, it is certainly possible to some degree?
Thanks for your note and have a wonderful day!
Smiles,
Cara :)
On Jun 10, 2008, at 7:31 AM, Chris Blouch wrote:
I wonder if he is referring to things under
the hood like the Apple Accessibility API and
such. While VO generally provides full access
to everything on the Mac, if you're wanting to
plug stuff into VO underneath (like Flash
accessibility) are the APIs consistent? Have
they been shifting and changing with each
release? I don't actually know but the
developer might see VO as shifting sand while
the user is productive and happy. It could be
that I'm in the lobby with the comfy chairs and
tinkling fountain but down in the basement the
plumbing is full of leaks and things to knock
your head on.
CB
Cara Quinn wrote:
darcy, I absolutely agree 100 percent! I'm
using Mac exclusively right now, and as I've
mentioned here before, I work to a huge degree
on the web all the time for castings, and
dealing with agents and such. So for someone
to arbitrarily say that VO, (my current
exclusive means of speech output) is less than
'mature' is a bit uninformed at the very least.
On top of that, it's also a bit of a catch
22, as VO will never be seen as mature without
at least some degree of flash access, which to
some degree mirrors that of JFW / WE on the
Windows side. So it's a self-fulfilling
prophecy, yes?
Anyway, I personally am in tremendous need
of flash access which I know I can get with
JFW, and would be forced down that road if it
weren't for extremely irritating work-arounds
or conventional site links which could vanish
at any moment as some of the sites I work with
regularly are updated. So I'm on a bit of a
tenuous thread here so to speak. I love the
Mac side though, and as it's a joy to work
with in large part, I'll stay with it here as
access improves or I'm forced in another
direction for certain tasks.
I'd hate to see that happen, but if people
keep making arbitrary uninformed claims or
decisions about VO and it's user base /
perceived lack thereof, that may happen.
here's hoping it doesn't though!
Thanks for your note and keep up the wonderful work! You guys rock!
Smiles,
Cara :)
On Jun 9, 2008, at 11:27 PM, Darcy Burnard wrote:
Hmmm, wonder if Mr. Kirkpatrick has been
reading a little too much access world.
Seriously though, who gets to decide if a
product is mature or not? I've been a Mac
user for two years now, in in the last year,
I bet I could count on my fingers the number
of times I've turned on my windows machine.
This is a cop out in my opinion. They can keep saying this indefinitely.
Darcy, who now has something more to talk
about on Screenless Switchers tomorrow.
On 9-Jun-08, at 11:12 PM, Greg Kearney wrote:
Got this back from Adobe. Not sure how to
reply perhaps the user community could give
Mr. Kirkpatrick an education.
Greg Kearney
535 S. Jackson St.
Casper, Wyoming 82601
307-224-4022
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Andrew Kirkpatrick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: June 9, 2008 8:09:29 PM MDT
To: "Greg Kearney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: Adobe accessibility
Greg,
Tried to chat with you from your site. Unfortunately, VoiceOver is not
ready for real use as a tool for blind users to gain access to many
applications and access to HTML content with VO is hardly mature. As a
result, we have not focused on supporting the Mac accessibility API in
the Flash player yet.
The Australian law doesn't require cross-platform accessibility,
particularly when there is no mature tool on one of the platforms in
question, resulting in no users requiring screen reader access in that
environment.
AWK
Lloyd Rasmussen at the Library of Congress suggested I communicate
with you concerning accessbility of Flash content with in the
Macintosh environment with VoiceOver.
Later this month I will be traveling to Australia where I will be
working on accessible websites. Australian law requires that web sites
be accessible. I have been unable to interact with any Flash based
content with VoiceOver on a Mac.
I am wondering if this is an issue that is being addressed or not as I
will need to advise my clients as to the legal use of Flash content.
Thank you for your time.
Greg Kearney
535 S. Jackson St.
Casper, Wyoming 82601
307-224-4022
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---
View my Online Portfolio at:
http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn
---
View my Online Portfolio at:
http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn
--
--Scott
