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[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message] RE: Re: XML Accessibility Guidelines
 I've read the abstract and agree that it isn't particularly helpful. I'm registered blind and personally see XML as potentially the doorway to a new more accessible world. Blind and partially sighted people have many problems accessing all forms of applications and on all types of operating system which, as people on the list have mentioned, has nothing to do with XML itself. Various software based speach/screen enlargement packages can be used with various operating systems together with dedicated hardware such as braille displays to enable us to use computers efficiently. Unfortunately, the IT industry haven't seen this as such a big issue and software was developed that cannot, even with the access software, be used by visually impared people. This is changing following several changes in US law. Nevertheless many applications are still developed which cannot be used by the visually impared. I see (if you pardon the ponne) a future where applications using XML can/could be easily modified to present themselves in a more accessible manner to facilitate the use access technology to render the application appropriately or even to provide the mechanism by which the application can be accessed directly. A couple of examples. I can use web pages which utilize lots of gifs as links without providing alt text - bad design as far as I'm concerned but there's a lot of that around! I wrote a little JSP page which used JTidy to convert the HTML to XHTML and then used an XLST to replace image tags with the name of the source file which sometimes gives an idea of where the links go. Another example could be to present the application using speach via VoiceXML. Obviously there's a bit of work needs to be done but hopefully this motivates my point. In short XML itself will not help us but by its nature and infrastructure can be presented in a more accessible way while people who have sight can still use a nasty GUI thing. Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you have any questions or thoughts. Cheers Ian ___________________________________________________________________________ This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of SchlumbergerSema. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the SchlumbergerSema Helpdesk by telephone on +44 (0) 121 627 5600. ___________________________________________________________________________ 
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