Ray, I think the verdict is still out on how well the Apple model will work. We need to see how committed they are in three or four years to really judge. I would also note that I Tunes if far more accessible under Windows than Microsoft Word is on the MAC. This comparison is not completely fair, but I think it still makes a valid point. Would Microsoft have worked hard to make I tunes accessible if they had a full-featured screen reader, especially when they were pushing Zune? What priority is apple giving to Microsoft Word on the MAC?
Apple exercises a good deal more control over apps that run on their platform than does Microsoft. This gives them the ability to put more of the work of accessibility on the application developer which means that VoiceOver does not have to do everything that Windows screen readers have to do. Apple has full control of the hardware running their operating system unlike Microsoft. This also simplifies things for them. This control is helpful for them but it is probably partly why they don't have the market share that Windows has. As Microsoft tightens up their operating system, it could be that it will become easier for them to include a screen reader with Windows. However, if it is any good, it is hard for me to see how companies such as GW Micro would have a large enough market left to sell enough to do what they do. Probably people using a PC at home would benefit greatly, but would those of us who use less common software on the job be left out in the cold. I don't know the exact answer, but if I had my preference, I'd like to see some competition remain with screen readers and for us to find ways of increasing funding available to blind people to purchase them. This is a complex issue to say the least. Best regards, Steve Jacobson On Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:54:35 +0000, Ray Campbell wrote: >Hello All: >I agree, for the most part, with GW Micro's response to the screen reader >questions. There are a couple of areas I'd like to address. >As a technical support professional, one of the areas that GW Micro still >needs to work on is remote support. Freedom Scientific has done a huge >service to those of us providing technical support with the introduction of JAWS Tandem. Nine times out of 10, when I talk with someone using JAWS version 10 or higher that is having a problem, they will ask me to take over their computer with JAWS Tandem and fix the problem. Tandem is built into JAWS and there is no additional charge. While Serotek has also built a very good solution in Remote Incident Management (RIM), it costs $1,200 a year, very hard to justify for not-for-profit agencies like the one I work for. >But, remote tools aren't just used by technical support professionals. Tools >such as Go to My PC are used by business people to access data on their office PCs all the time. I would like to see GW Micro continue working to make existing remote tools such as Remote Assistance, Go to My PC and Log Me In Pro fully accessible, regardless which end of the connection you are on. >Window-eyes, from our perspective, provides the best support for so-called >green screen applications. These are main frame applications which people sometimes have to use on the job. Our agency contracts with the state of Illinois for one program where such an application is used. Using Window-Eyes and a 80-cell Braille Display, a person who is totally blind can access this application, albeit the support could always be better. JAWS won't even work with this application, and we haven't tested System Access or NVDA with it. If we were able to do some scripting, I believe we could make the support with Window-Eyes even better. >Finally, I'd like to address the issue of built-in screen readers. I believe >that as the Mac becomes the computer of choice for people who are blind, Microsoft is going to need to incorporate a screen reader into Windows. I use PCs exclusively at work and at home, and I've been a loyal Window-Eyes user for about 14 years. However, I am increasingly becoming impressed with what the Mac and other Apple products using VoiceOver can do right out of the box. While GW Micro deserves kudos for offering the Lease to Own plan, a plan not duplicated by other screen reader vendors, it's not the same as having accessibility right out of the box. >Thanks for reading. >Ray Campbell, Adaptive Technology Help Desk Technician >The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired >1850 W. Roosevelt Road >Chicago, IL 60608 >312.997.3651 (Voice/Relay) or 888.825.0080 (Voice/Relay) >[email protected] >www.chicagolighthouse.org >If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. > If your reply would benefit others on the list andyour message is related to >GW Micro or the BookSense, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. >To manage your subscription to gw-booksense, visit: >http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
