IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 4
Accessibility Resources
HP and the Accessibility Foundation are Proud to Announce the Web Accessibility Guide
With financial support from Hewlett-Packard, the Accessibility Foundation has published a comprehensive web accessibility guide called Access All WWW Areas. The 70-page brochure includes everything you ever wanted to know about web accessibility and more. It features national and international policies, including Section 508 regulations. The guide also has Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) issued by the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C).
Written in easy-to-understand language, Access All WWW Areas discusses techniques and presents examples on how to create accessible web pages. Furthermore, it lists tools and other sources on how to ensure web accessibility. A definite must for any web developer, the guide can be viewed at the Accessibility Foundation website or downloaded from the Hewlett-Packard Accessibility website.
Orange Provides New Service for the Blind - UK
Orange will offer blind customers a software application designed to make their mobile phones talk to them. This comes as part of a new package of services for the visually impaired.
The launch of the new service and software was timed to coincide with the UN´s annual International Day of Disabled Persons on Thursday December 3rd.
TALKS(tm) is a speech-enabled application that allows convenient, audible access to text messaging, e-mail, and phone directory assistance for mobile phone customers who are visually impaired.
TALKS(tm), developed by blind German programmer Torsten Brand, runs on eight of the smartphone models offered by Orange.
The application converts menus, instructions, and content on the screen into speech, which is relayed through the phone´s internal speaker or through a headset. One of the unique features of TALKS(tm) is that it announces the incoming caller enabling users to be selective with the calls they take, and therefore, keeping them on an equal footing with sighted customers.
With TALKS(tm) users can:
- Hear caller ID information and check logs of incoming and outgoing calls
- write and hear e-mails, text messages, and notes
- Manage contact information and dial phone numbers from the directory
- Use the appointment calendar
- Edit and add contacts, settings, and profiles
- Use the calculator, unit converter, and alarm clock
- Receive audible information about the battery level, network, and signal strength.
Although available in 17 languages including English, French, German and Italian, the software is currently only available in France.
http://www.informatics.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1049
Forwarded by Dr. Paul R, Michaelis of Avaya
Source:
Computer Weekly
Web Access Policy & Standards Construction Tool
ITTATC is pleased to announce that the Web Access Policy & Standards Construction Tool is now available for use. The tool helps state and local governments (as well as other organizations) develop policies and standards that support the development, procurement, and maintenance of accessible websites.
The tool guides the user through the process of creating a policy or standards document by posing questions and issues that should be considered along the way. The user also can view excerpts and sample language from existing state government policies and standards documents. These excerpts (along with links to the source documents) can be selected and saved to the user´s working document. The resulting resource provides a strong foundation upon which the user can create a custom policy and/or standards document that supports their particular situation.
If you are interested in trying the tool, go to http://www.ittatc.org/state/policy/ where you can explore the tool in "demo mode." When you are ready to create your own web access policy and/or standards, create a user ID and password and your selections and edits will be saved to a working document.
ITTATC is interested in hearing your feedback on the tool whether it is constructive criticism or words of praise. You can use the feedback form at http://www.ittatc.org/contact/mailform.cfm to provide input, or you can send your comments in an email to ITTATC@ITTATC.org.
HIP Relay Wireless Lets You Receive Voice Calls through Pager/Wireless Device!
You can make or RECEIVE calls on your pager or computer as long as your device has a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browser or runs AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM®). There is no software to download!
How do I receive a relay call using HIP Relay Wireless?
If you are using a WAP browser, follow these simple instructions:
Instruct the voice user to call 888-889-9872 and give the CA your pager´s email address. The CA will then send an email to your pager and wait for you to answer your mobile device. Once connected, the conversation begins!
In order to receive a wireless relay call using AIM®, you will need to call Hamilton Relay Customer Service and ask to authenticate your AIM® Screen Name with HIP Relay. Customer Service will simply ask for your Screen Name, e-mail address, and telephone number. You will then receive an e-mail from Customer Service. You will need to reply to the email in order to complete the authentication process. Now that you are authenticated, you are ready to receive voice calls on your pager with AIM®! It is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Instruct the voice user to call 888-889-9872 and give the CA your screen name or pager number. The CA will contact you by sending an email and an instant message to your pager. To answer your call, simply respond to the instant message and your conversation begins!
For more information, go to www.hamiltonrelay.com under the link titled HIP Relay Wireless. You can also contact Hamilton Relay Customer Service at 1-800-618-4781 TTY/V or via email at info@hamiltonrelay.com.
Speegle-- A Talking Search Engine
The Scottish firm, CEC Systems, has developed a new search engine (launched in November 2004) that reads out its results akin to a screen reader. The search engine, Speegle, was designed to assist "people with blurred vision [and] those that just want to search for something in the background while they do something else." CEC Systems does not claim that Speegle is a specific aid to persons who are blind or visually impaired.
A New Rule of Cursor Control: Just Follow Your Nose
Ian Austen, A New Rule of Cursor Control: Just Follow Your Nose,
New York Times, Oct. 28, 2004, at G7.
The "nouse" is a cursor-control alternative to using a hand-operated mouse. It is frequently being mounted near the nose, hence the name. It utilizes the technology of the visual recognition of body motion, which Canadian scientist Dr. Dmitry O. Gorodnichy previously used as part of a team developing the space shuttle´s robotic lifting arm. The "nouse" is generally intended for use by disabled individuals who have motor impairments.
Also available at:
http://www.matr.net/print-12427.html
Tokyo Motor Show Features Accessible Cars
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article reporting that the 38th Tokyo Motor Show 2004 was courting the senior and disabled populations. Prominently displayed were Nissan´s, Toyota´s, Honda´s, Mazda´s, Subaru´s, and Mitsubishi passenger cars with universal design features as well as accessible features such as swivel seats and a motorized crane to lift a walker or wheelchair into a trunk.
Information was featured on the Internet at:
http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/2004/english/public/
