[WEB4LIB] Jaws Web Page readers' comments?

[Chris Murphy]

We use JAWS (Job Assistant for Windows Software) on our Assistive Technology 
Workstation (http://www.thecommunitylibrary.org/reference/atw.html).

Although JAWS is reasonably useful for reading web pages, I find it somewhat 
weak at translating HTML not optimized for accessibility (e.g., tables used for 
layout). I demo'd IBM's Home Page Reader and found it better at presenting 
information in tables, for example.

We chose JAWS based on our visits with staff from the Idaho Commission for the 
Blind, many of whom are blind and use JAWS in the workplace. We wanted reader 
software that could be used with word processors and spreadsheets as well as 
browsers, and JAWS fit that bill. JAWS has a steep learning curve for newbies, 
but it is probably the most widely used reader.

JAWS does not get used often on our workstation, and our magnification tools are 
used more frequently. Most of its use is for demonstration, often to blind or 
visually impaired people who come to check it out before deciding whether to 
purchase it for themselves.

For more information on designing accessible web pages, check out the WebAIM 
(Web Accessibility In Mind) site: http://www.webaim.org. Their mailing list is 
information rich, although very busy. (I had to unsubscribe because I could not 
keep up with the messages.)

If you would like more information, let me know.

Best regards,

Chris Murphy

-- 
Christopher Murphy
Information Systems Manager
The Community Library, Ketchum, Idaho
chrism at thecommunitylibrary.org
http://www.thecommunitylibrary.org


David Johnson wrote:
> Hi folks
> 
> Can anyone comment upon the operations of Jaws text to speech conversion 
> application made for use on web pages?
> 
> I am particularly interested in hearing from library staff where this 
> application is in place on a public workstation, and where patrons with 
> visual disabilities actually utilize Jaws.
> 
> Any comments upon Kurzwiel, text to speech conversion (model 1000 or 3000) 
> would be appreciated, although I know the Kurzwiel is not for web page use 
> only, and thus is "off topic" for this list.
> 
> DCJ
> 
> 
> 
>