Hi Dark, Well, the problem with Java is the underlying graphics API used in many mainstream Java applications. Most are built using the default Swing toolkit which is not very screen reader friendly. In order to try and improve accessibility Sun created the Java Access Bridge which is a bridge between your screen reader and the Swing API. Unfortunately, not every screen reader supports the Java Access Bridge and therefore anything written using Swing is not accessible, and even those that do support the bridge still have access issues.
Fortunately, IBM created a different toolkit, SWT, which takes a totally different approach to screen reader accessibility. SWT actually wraps the native graphics toolkit such as the Windows API, and the GUI displays buttons, edit boxes, text labels, etc all using standard controls. As a result Jaws, NVDA, Window-Eyes, System Access, have no problems with Java apps and games when SWT and JFace are used. So as far as Java development goes its all in the tools and APIs you use. Java is and can be an excellent programming language for writing apps and games. However, a Java developer needs to understand which APIs provide the best accessibility features and which will cause the end user problems. Cheers! On 1/17/12, dark <[email protected]> wrote: > nice tom. > > There are several applicatinos I've seen with java, especially the gamebook > related ones that really should! interact with screen reeaders but work very > badly. > > I doubt this api could be included in them, but if anyone is making > something similar in future it might be a good thing. > > Beware the grue! > > Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
