Hi Ted,
I've never heard of any software for evaluating software accessibility;
if you have, I'd love to hear about it. Besides, there are always
glitches even were a software to let a program pass. Heck, even
so-called accessible web pages are hard to navigate; sure, the controls
are accessible, but that alone does not make a site easy to navigate.
We trust the Office Suite because of its having a COM-object interface,
meaning it can be accessed under the hood by Window-Eyes, and no other
screen reader can do it as well. Now, you could ask employers whether
the software in question possesses a COM-object; if it does, then a
Window-Eyes app for it could be written for it; then, you would need to
have one written for it, either by GW Micro staff or privately by guys
like me or other volunteer WE users. All of this app development, of
course, would take time.
On the other hand, although I'm not a business software expert, I do
know that some of the business software packages employ standard cursors
and selection bars, typically, but not always, trackable by screen
readers. I hate to say it, but the proof of the pudding is in the
eating. I wish it were different, but it is not, at least at present.
Things are improving, but only gradually. Your best solution at present
is to bring the names of the software your employers are using to
GW-Info to seek knowledge.
Good luck in your search for employment, and keep those questions coming,.
All the best,
Rod
On 4/12/14 7:19 AM, Ted Larson wrote:
Dear List:
When going on job interviews, I am finding they are using various
business programs different from the suite of Microsoft Office
programs. What approach should I use to try to determine if these are
accessible with screen readers? I thought there are programs that can
evaluate a software program to determine its screen reader usability.
Can the employer easily run such a program and get reliable results?
What approach has worked for you that I can try? Obviously, the
employer will not want to hire me unless he knows I can be able to
work with his programs. Thanks for any ideas. Regards: Ted Larson
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