January 2008 Newsletter

### Edited by Joel Obuchowski

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NEWSLETTER CORRECTION, 1/9/2008, by Debi Orton

First, we printed a link to an article on the WebAIM site that encourages web developers to download JAWS to check their web sites for compatibility with a screen reader. Freedom Scientific's site no longer has a link for web developers, and one of our readers who downloaded the demo version of JAWS noticed that the user agreement expressly prohibits developers from downloading JAWs just to test their sites.

I followed up with Freedom Scientific, the company that markets JAWS, and they confirmed that in order to test web site content, developers are expected to buy a license for the software ($800+). I informed WebAIM of the situation I'd run into -- a complete surprise to them, since someone from Freedom Scientific had helped them with their article -- and they promised to make their own inquiries with Freedom Scientific.

We'll keep you informed of any new developments.

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Articles and ideas for future newsletters? Please e-mail them to Debi Orton dorton@goer.state.ny.us and Joel Obuchowski jobuchow@ins.state.ny.us

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

IT Accessibility Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 10, 2:30 - 4:00
Forum Offices, 411 State Street, Albany

For this month's meeting, discussion will focus on the Validation Tool, training and implementation plans to be developed for the tool, and associated awareness-raising sessions. We will also look at what other support will be required, and how those support needs can be met.

Map and Directions? Location link (via Mapquest.com):
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=411+State+Street&city=Albany&state=ny&zipcode= (External Link)

STATUS REPORT: NYS-Specific Validation Tool

On January 4, the NYS Forum accepted the desktop and online validation tools proposed by HiSoftware. Except for some minor changes, the development work on both versions of the validation tool has been completed.

Our next steps are:

  • Get the remaining agency administrators registered
  • Fill training classes with those working with the desktop tool (one person per agency)
  • Videotape training class for those who would like training but couldn't attend
  • Develop resources for ongoing training
  • Decide upon a distribution plan with HiSoftware
  • Schedule awareness-raising sessions for new web developers, program managers, and agency executives
  • Create a functional FAQ document (ongoing)
  • Develop a process for agencies wanting (additional) copies of the desktop tool

Further updates will be issued as information becomes available.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Committee Co-Chair Mike Short will deliver a presentation on web site accessibility to the Capital Area Technology Association (CATA) on January 16 at the Italian-American Center on Washington Avenue Extension in Albany. The meeting includes a lunch buffet ($5) and runs from 11:30 - 1:00. To register or to find out more about CATA, visit http://www.cataconnect.com/ (External Link). The link to register for the meeting is on the right side of the page.

We will be scheduling a presentation on the validation tool for downstate web developers in the near future. Announcement of the date and time will be sent out via the listserv.

RECENT NEWS

From an NFB press release:

National Federation of the Blind Lawsuit Addressing Web Accessibility Will Proceed Target Cannot Appeal Class Action Certification Ruling

Baltimore, Maryland (January 2, 2008): The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied Target Corporation's petition for an interlocutory appeal of the District Court's order granting class action certification to a lawsuit filed against the retailer by the National Federation of the Blind for Target's failure and refusal to make its Web site fully accessible to blind shoppers. As a result, the suit will proceed against Target on behalf of all blind Americans, as well as for a subclass of all blind Californians.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed our lawsuit against Target to move forward on its merits. Target can no longer delay being held accountable to the blind of the nation for denying us access to its Web site."

Web browser firm files complaint over Microsoft

Thu Dec 13, 7:03 AM ET

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A small Norwegian maker of Web browsers, backed by an industry coalition, has filed the first complaint against Microsoft to the European Commission since the software giant lost a landmark antitrust case earlier this year.

Opera Software said it has complained that Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) illegally ties its Web browser, Internet Explorer, to its dominant Windows operating system.

Microsoft is also "hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards," the company said.

Both make it difficult for Opera to compete, it said.

Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd confirmed that the EU executive had received the complaint, which comes after a September 17 EU Court of First Instance ruling that upheld a 2004 European Commission decision against the company on antitrust grounds. Todd said the complaint would be studied carefully.

Opera is a member of the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), a long-time opponent of Microsoft, and ECIS issued a statement critical of the software giant.

"By tying its Internet Explorer product to its monopoly Windows operating system and refusing to faithfully implement industry accepted open standards, Microsoft deprives consumers of a real choice in Internet browsers," ECIS lawyer Thomas Vinje said in the statement.

Opera's complaint echoes a U.S. case from 1998, in which the U.S. Justice Department won a major judgment against Microsoft for competing illegally against another browser, Netscape.

Opera asked the Commission to force Microsoft to unbundle Internet Explorer. It also asked the Commission to require Microsoft to follow "fundamental and open Web standards."

(Reporting by David Lawsky; Editing by Paul Bolding/Quentin Bryar)

FEATURE ARTICLE

Standard 8 - Frames, Context and Orientation

Frames are generally considered unpopular with users, and can cause problems for them in two ways. First, unless the proper frame is active, users may not be able to successfully bookmark the information they want.
Second, unless the proper frame is active, printing content in a frame can be difficult.

8.1 - If frames are used, a noframes alternative will be provided.

Some people have deliberately disabled frames in their browsers. If you are working on content using frames, you will need to provide an alternative for these people that will present the same information in a cohesive format.

8.2 - If frames are used:

8.2.1 Each frame must be identified with a descriptive title attribute that describes the purpose of each frame and how they relate to each other.

Descriptive frame titles are essential for those using assistive technology to access a frame-based page. A frame title of "left_side" provides no useful information for those without a visual frame of reference; a frame title of "page_navigation" does.

8.2.2 - For title text longer than 150 characters, a longdesc attribute will be used.

While it is unlikely that title text would require more than 150 character to explain the frame's purpose, in the event that it happens, the longdesc attribute will allow you to describe the frame in full detail.

RESOURCES

Using JAWS to Evaluate Web Accessibility From the WebAIM.org web site

Evaluating the screen reader accessibility of web content is important. Freedom Scientific provides free, limited function downloads for web developers who want to ensure their content is properly rendered in Jaws (http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_downloads/jaws.asp (External Link)). Screen readers, however, can be complex and difficult to use, especially for novice users.

This article provides an overview for beginners on how to use screen readers for evaluating the accessibility of web content.

Read Using JAWS to Evaluate Web Accessibility (http://www.webaim.org/articles/jaws/ (External Link))

Webcast Archive - Accessibility Issues

The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) has an online archive of webcasts on a variety of web accessibility issues, including several that pertain directly to the use of the web in educational environments. (http://ncdae.org/activities/index.cfm (External Link)). Webcasts are available in Windows Media and Quicktime, and text transcripts are also provided.

aDesigner

IBM's aDesigner is a disability simulator that helps Web designers ensure that their pages are accessible and usable by the visually impaired and has made aDesigner available for public download.

For more information on aDesigner, visit (http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/adesigner?open&S_TACT=106AH21W&S_CMP= (External Link)).