Adaptive Technology Resource Centre

Overview of Workshop

Access to mainline browsers

Specialty browsers

Access to HTML editors

WebTV, Java, VRML

Tour of Internet resources

The Internet

Todayís Internet boom

Spawned from Military Network ARPANET in ë70ís

No ì Central Internet Computerî

Redundant, global network of computers

Early uses in Military, Academia and Government

Original Internet Architecture

older architectures and communication packages- FTP, gopher, mail

provided text one line at a time or in hierarchical menus

readily adapted to work with most alternative access systems

required good keyboard skills and memory for command lines

Enter the World Wide Web

Network of information servers throughout the world, interconnected via the Internet

Information formatted in files using Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)

Documents linked and downloaded with HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Accessed from any client computer system using a web browser, selectively manages text, images, sounds, music, movies

Exponential Growth

Point and click ìSimplicity of the WWW

Growth spurt of the Internet due to on demand information and interactivity

5 million US users in 1993 became 60 million by 1997

over x million users by the year 2000

Standards for Development

Rapid haphazard, undirected growth led to lack of access standards

W3C formed followed by Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Todayís web browsers are GUI applications within a GUI operating system

Mouse biased, visually biased

Surfers with Disabilities

Different users, different needs

About 8% of web users have a disability

Aging population profile

Slow modems, connections, computers

Access to the Internet

Why is this so important?

What are the Barriers?

Information in auditory formats without captions

Information presented graphically, in tables, forms or frames, graphical controls

Requires the use of a mouse, touchscreen or interface with fine controls

Inconsistent page layout and use of links confuse for those with cognitive disabilities

Video: DO-It

students using the Internet for a variety of needs

Three Components Needed to Effectively Interface

A properly formatted HTML document

Alternative access to the userís computer

A web browser that works with alternative access or has built in accessibility

The Browser

Netscape and Internet Explorer

Other older/smaller products- Lynx, Mosaic

Specialty browsers: pwWebSpeak, Opera

The Major Browsers

Latest features which enhance accessibility:

Keyboard access is essential

Enables mouseless access from keyboard

Enables control via standard on-screen keyboard or voice recognition

Enables control with a screen reader

Enables customized control via programmable keyboards and scanning matrices

Essential Browser Functions

Accessing links, Forward, Back

Bookmarks/Favorites, Address book

Search engine, Find function

Typing URLs

Optional: toolbars, integrated email, composition

Keyboard Access of Netscape and IE

Macintosh: requires utility program, such as Click-it

PC: both provide hypertext link access from keyboard

Handout: lists of keyboard equivalents

Adapting Web Browsers for Accessibility

Integrated Email Software

Able to access same address book

Netscape Messenger and Microsoft Outlook Express

Full features with customizable folders

Keyboard access available but time consuming, un-intuitive

Keyboard access

Video: John

Mice and trackballs

Variety of mouse/trackball devices

look for those with reliable drivers and right mouse button function

Mice and trackballs

Mouse emulation using pointer systems: Trakker, HeadMaster, Head Mouse, Jouse, etc..

Alternative Keyboards

Incorporating Mouse emulation

Increased visual and cognitive load, keystrokes

Programmable Keyboards

Intellikeys with Overlay Maker/Sender

Examples of overlays for different user needs

Support literacy, memory, access needs

Video: Brooke

Sites with Intellikeys Overlay files

Searchable database of overlays at Intellitools.com

Center for Accessible Technology, Berkeley, CA

Programmable Keyboards

Key Largo

Discover Keyboard

Sample Overlays on the Don Johnston Website

On- Screen keyboards

Non-programmable keyboards limited by mouse emulation and keystroke access

Can tab through links, use menus for other functions

Need to build effective bookmark/favorites system of folders and identifiers

If only needed for text input works well as support to mouse control

Visual Dynamic Keyboard

VDK Currently not available as stand alone product

Built in access to HoTMetaL 4.0 by Softquad

Context sensitive menus allow effective access of browser functions

Switch Scanning

Pre-programmed (EZKeys) or customizable (Ke:nx, Discover Switch)

Switch access of on-screen keyboard: WiViK or VDK

Switch access for mouse emulation only from Words+, Madenta, RJCooper

Customized Scanning Arrays

Best option for single switch web access

Can add text-to-speech support for visual or literacy needs

Morse Code

Efficient, direct means of computer access

More effective for text entry than mouse emulation

Software: EZ Keys for Windows 95, Ke:nx

Hardware: Darci, Bloorview Mini Morse

Can use in combination with other methods for mouse input: Mouse mover, Jouse, depending on access needs

Voice Recognition

User specific, discrete speech products

- Navigation with mouse grid, macros

Continuous speech: IBM ViaVoice, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Philipís Freespeech

Web Specific Voice Recognition- Mac

SurfTalk- by Digital Dreams

Web Specific Voice Recognition -PC

VoiceType Connection for Netscape

IBM product that works with VoiceType or as standalone

and more becoming available each month

Processing Supports

For Learning Disabilities, minor vision problems

Text to Speech:

Processing Supports

Spell checkers- built into IE and Netscape

Word Prediction

Screen Enlargement

Magnifies screen contents 2 to 16 X or more

Various options: full screen, split screen, lens

Many pan document so user does not have to scroll

Provides menu, toolbar access, beyond document text/graphics enlargement

Most do not have conflicts with browsers

ZoomText Extra

Screen magnification software with speech support

Level 1- screen magnification only

Level 2 provides a level of ìscreen readingî plus a document reader which will re-format and read web documents- but not graphics

Screen Reading

Software which uses an Off Screen Model to convey Windows information to user via speech- cannot read the pixels of the display

Identifies and announces the function of Windows constructs e.g..: ìbutton, OKî

Can only identify graphics by accompanying text or label in user files

Serves as a mouse or pointing device

Screen Reading Browser Displays

Most browsers will read simple web pages

Problems with unlabeled graphics- no ALT text

Reads across lines, so columns are misread-read

Cannot identify frames- must tab around to find content

Some cannot handle forms well

Screen Reading Browser Displays

Cannot read animation, non-captioned video, blink or marquee tags

Software for distance education can have inaccessible components

Cannot access links in image maps

Cannot make sense of mingled text and graphics

Screen Reading Browser Pages

Demonstration of JAWs for Windows, from Henter Joyce, Inc.

With an accessible site- ATRC

With an ìinaccessible siteî;

Specialized Browsers

Opera, from Opera software

Specialized Browsers for Low or No Vision

Provide speech feedback based on HTML

Offer variable font size, colour and background

pwWebSpeak by Productivity Works, also pwEmail, pwTelephone

VIPinfoNet by JBliss Imaging

Video- Dena

Other Web Interfaces

Kiosks

Telephone

Palm tops

Pen notebooks

WebTV

WebTV Access

ìHarness the power of the Internet to make watching TV more involving, entertaining...

Provides email and WWW access through a TV

Terminal and ISP from WebTV Network, Inc.

WebTV Access

Plug in standard keyboard to terminal

Remote trackball and keyboard

No numeric keypad

Access strategies for WebTV

Access Strategies for WEBTV(R), CSUN paper by P. Barker

Can be operated with programmable or trainable remotes

Includes adapted models from PRC, TASH, Words+

Adaptive keyboards can be plugged in instead of standard ones

Need to use a PC to download custom overlays

Access to Creating Web Content

Can compose in major word processors or browsers

Standard software manipulation issues with accessing menus, small buttons, etc.

Can use programmable keyboards to simplify steps, improve access to functions in creating web pages

Mainstream Authoring Tools

Many small and large software packages available

Popular options: Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe Page Mill, Symantecís VisualPage

HoTMetaL by Softquad - page content, website and intranet management

HoTMetaL 4.0

Part of a grant funded project to improve Internet accessibility

Originally was to make Softquadís browser, Panorama, accessible- died in the browser war

Focus shifted to accessible web content

On-screen/scanning keyboard, Visual Dynamic Keyboard

Accessibility Prompting

Tool menu selection: Check for Accessibility

Runs check on web document, creates list of accessibility problems

Prompts the author to change them using dialogue boxes

Covers main issues of including ALT text with images, captioning for audio/video, use of tables, user defined colours, background

Won AFB award for improving Internet accessibility

The Evolving Web

Changing from static documents to dynamic page creation based on user requests

Custom interfaces based on databases

Changing from single to multi-user and interactive content--45% of youths socialize on the net

Trend from passive to interactive web sites

Java for database support and applets

Java isÖ

ìa simple, object oriented, distributed, interpreted, robust, secure, architecture neutral, portable, high-performance, multithreaded and dynamic language.î

Java

An object oriented programming language

Write once, read anywhere- cross platform

Accessibility API ìdefines a contractî between user interface objects and screen access products

Can be used to create accessible information, communicate accessible information

Java Accessibility Projects/Teams

Sun Microsystems

IBM- screen reader

Trace Center

ATRC: Audio Look and Feel, Access Tools of Morse Code, RSVP, Word Prediction

Audio Look-and-Feel

Audio Look and Feel

Dr. Joseph Scheuhammer

Jutta Treviranus

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto

The Project

explore potential of pluggable look and feel for creating new, more inclusive, user interfaces

create a testbed to explore new conceptual models

work in progress

Overview

What is an audio look and feel?

What is it for?

Notepad Demo

What is it?

Auxiliary look and feel

Enhances primary GUI look and feel

Auditory ìlookî and keyboard ìfeelî

What is it for?

Accessibility

Hands and eyes busy environment

Notepad Demo

Notepad from Swing examples

Sonified components common to many applications

Menu bar

Tree metaphor

ìWhere am I?î function.

Tree metaphor for menus

Menu Bar

File Edit . . .

MenuOpen . . . . . .

New Open Close Exit

Tool bar

Navigate

Activate

Access tool tips

ìWhere am I?î

Text

Speak while typing

Speak current, next, previous:

Speak selected text

Navigate by:

How is this different from a Screen Reader?

it doesnít ìreadî the screen

interface which plugs into the components

collections of objects organized in containers which present themselves

ìtype 1 ì solution or direct accessibility

Next Steps

new conceptual models

user customization

task based model

sonify functional model of app., not components

Audio Look and Feel

Contributors

Java Access Tools

Morse Code

RSVP- reading program for tunnel vision, eccentric viewing needs

Word Prediction

Sun has now released a communication port API, can now program switch inputs

Virtual Reality Modeling Language

a.k.a. ìVurímelî or VRML

VRML is

A 3 dimensional, experiential, interactive web-based technology

Expands the WWW into a richer, more engaging and intuitive experience

VRML 2.0 enhances this bandwidth-efficient scene-descriptive language to include behaviors

Navigate, interact with virtual environments

Browse VRML Environments

Plug-in applications that recognize VRML worlds, file ext.. ë.wrlî

Plug-in to Netscape: SGIís Cosmos player

Plug-in to Internet Explorer: Microsoftís WorldView

Samples of Virtual Environments

Mining Co.: links to various applications

SGIís gallery of VRML worlds and apps

Cosmos Software demonstrations

Accessibilty of VRML

Barriers of on-screen, mouse operated controls, no keyboard mapping

Barriers of lack of text or audio descriptions of visual content

VRML Accessibility Projects/Teams

Sandy Ressler, Natíl Inst. of Standards and Technology

Seamless Solutions Inc. CSUN 98: Signing Avatars

ATRC, Accessibility and VRML

Adding Haptic Extentions to VRML

New research project at ATRC, in conjunction with other depts. and industry partners

Adding sonification and feel to VRML

Applications in distance education materials, VRML teaching models

Haptic Applications to Virtual Worlds, Porter and Treviranus

Some Haptic Tools

Feel-it mouse

Phantom

Pen Cat

Tour of Internet Resources

Inclusive Design Research Centre

OCAD University

Alternative Access to the Internet

Linda Petty

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto

www.utoronto.ca/atrc

Welcome!

Introductions

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre

Overview of Workshop

Access to mainline browsers

Specialty browsers

Access to HTML editors

WebTV, Java, VRML

Tour of Internet resources

The Internet

Todayís Internet boom

Spawned from Military Network ARPANET in ë70ís

No ì Central Internet Computerî

Redundant, global network of computers

Early uses in Military, Academia and Government

Original Internet Architecture

older architectures and communication packages- FTP, gopher, mail

provided text one line at a time or in hierarchical menus

readily adapted to work with most alternative access systems

required good keyboard skills and memory for command lines

Enter the World Wide Web

Network of information servers throughout the world, interconnected via the Internet

Information formatted in files using Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)

Documents linked and downloaded with HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Accessed from any client computer system using a web browser, selectively manages text, images, sounds, music, movies

Exponential Growth

Point and click ìSimplicity of the WWW

Growth spurt of the Internet due to on demand information and interactivity

5 million US users in 1993 became 60 million by 1997

over x million users by the year 2000

Standards for Development

Rapid haphazard, undirected growth led to lack of access standards

W3C formed followed by Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Todayís web browsers are GUI applications within a GUI operating system

Mouse biased, visually biased

Surfers with Disabilities

Different users, different needs

About 8% of web users have a disability

Aging population profile

Slow modems, connections, computers

Access to the Internet

Why is this so important?

What are the Barriers?

Information in auditory formats without captions

Information presented graphically, in tables, forms or frames, graphical controls

Requires the use of a mouse, touchscreen or interface with fine controls

Inconsistent page layout and use of links confuse for those with cognitive disabilities

Video: DO-It

students using the Internet for a variety of needs

Three Components Needed to Effectively Interface

A properly formatted HTML document

Alternative access to the userís computer

A web browser that works with alternative access or has built in accessibility

The Browser

Netscape and Internet Explorer

Other older/smaller products- Lynx, Mosaic

Specialty browsers: pwWebSpeak, Opera

The Major Browsers

Latest features which enhance accessibility:

Keyboard access is essential

Enables mouseless access from keyboard

Enables control via standard on-screen keyboard or voice recognition

Enables control with a screen reader

Enables customized control via programmable keyboards and scanning matrices

Essential Browser Functions

Accessing links, Forward, Back

Bookmarks/Favorites, Address book

Search engine, Find function

Typing URLs

Optional: toolbars, integrated email, composition