When it comes to making items accessible. When it comes to software, for years, I have wondered why a Software Company could not have two interfaces, one for the Sighted world, and one for the blind, that use screen readers.
And the choosing of which interface to use can be done the first time the software runs, or at any time after. I am a Musician that plays guitar and some Keyboard. As Sonar became more and more complex, it seemed as if the accessibility shrank and shrank until the last three or four editions are almost useless to someone using a screen reader. JAWS seems to be a bit further ahead, when it comes to Scripts but even then, I don't know if they have done anything for reading any edition of Sonar past 8.X. There are software based Synthesizers, that are quite powerful that are for the most part off limits to someone using a screen reader. Addictive Drums is a software package that simulates Drums, all kinds of drums. Everything from the old time drum kits from the 1920's to the ultra modern Hip-Hop electronic drums sounds. Loads of drum styles, and I start Drooling when I think of what I could do to improve the sound of my recordings, if only I had access to this Addictive Drum software package. But, last I checked, it isn't a package that is all that accessible. Same goes for some software based Guitar Pedal packages. Loads of guitar effects, all customizable to my own tastes and it is all off limits. Screen reader can't read the screens. The one I wanted is absolutely silent. And for those you who think I am whining, think again. Please don't insult me because I point out an area that I wish was available to me and others. I wondered if it would be possible to have a second main screen, this one friendly to screen readers etc. How much would it cost the Company to add such a screen? Don't know. Don't know how much effort it would take to make such a screen. I dream of such screens for all of the software that I find less than friendly to screen reader usage. What if it took another week or two of development, or even another month of development time. Would you pay another $100 extra to have such a accessible screen? I know I would. Companies that make an attempt to make their software Screen Reader Friendly, seem to make the attempt to making their main screens accessible. have no idea if they have ever considered making an alternative screen for their programs use by the Blind. Today when pricing is so competitive, and Companies are striving to be the cheapest, even if it is by a Dollar or two under their competitors product, I don't know how willing some company would be to add a Screen Reader friendly interface, if doing that will cause their products price to rise by $100. Grumpy Dave -- Dave <dlh...@centurylink.net> _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com