WebAnywhere: A Screen Reader On-the-Go

Google Tech Talks
August 16, 2007

ABSTRACT

The web offers blind people the promise of independent access to a wealth of information, but to realize that promise each computer used must have a $1000 screen reader installed. Blind users miss out on the convenience of reading email at the gym, making online reservations from an airport terminal, or checking the bus schedule from the library. In this talk, I'll describe a web-based screen reader that we've created called WebAnywhere, which enables blind web users to access the web from almost any computer that can produce sound. The system runs entirely in standard web browsers and requires no additional software. This web-based screen reader will...

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• google
• howto
• webanywhere
• screen
• reader

[VideoGuyNC]

A web-based screen reader has one HUGE flaw. If your connection dies, so goes your screen reader. That can leave a blind person without a way to practically operate their computer device. NVDA is a FREE, open-source screen reader for Windows. It works with most of the things that JAWS, (the example used in this video's sound clip). NVDA can also be loaded on a flash drive or CD, etc, and taken anywhere, and does not require installation on a computer to use.

[VaelVictus]

Screen readers have come a long way. A lot of my users can read the basic text in a .swf (flash file).

Alt text is good XHTML practice anyway.

[lightsrage1985]

I see issues, flash objects for example, this page, have numbered buttons that do not give there function to the blind user, similar sights like myspace do not allow for as much use by the blind. I think web developers should considre this fbefore eleasing sights, I wish the laws wouldsay if you are running a business sight like myspcace they hve to make every single element accessible. including captia