While I have much respect for both companies, I am glad I do not have to depend on the Mac for my access, especially web browsing needs. It-is-not-up-to-windows side standards by a long shot yet and the windows side needs an overhall. I hear GW is working on that and I am glad. I think a lot of people are blinded from reality because of the light in which they want to paint Apple and their frustration with the other side.
On 9/2/10, Sarai Bucciarelli <bucc7...@bellsouth.net> wrote: > Very well written! > On Sep 2, 2010, at 11:18 AM, erik burggraaf wrote: > >> Guys, I tried to keep the below as polite and forthright as possible, but >> it degenerates in places and reading and rereading, I don't really see the >> benefit of removing some of the language that might be considered >> offensive or abridging my comments. I really feel this needs to be said, >> not for the purpose of offending, but for the purpose of taking what I >> feel is the right stance. >> >> Hi Mark, this is bad... Very very bad. There are glaring inaccuracies >> in this release. I sincerely hope you did not send it to any public >> forums other than gw micro customer base. I've quoted what I want to draw >> your attention to in my comments, but left the entire article below for >> people to read in it's entirety. >> >> Article 6: You wrote, >> "what incentive would Apple have to make their screen reader work with >> Microsoft Office and what incentive would Microsoft have to make their >> screen reader work with iTunes?" >> This Demonstrates a lack of understanding on how the other side works. >> Windows is not mac OS, and mac OS is not windows. On the mac side, you >> have a screen reader, but you also have a fully accessible operating >> system. The libraries and API's used to build programs generate >> accessible programs, which are then read and interpreted by an accessible >> operating system, which then sends information to voiceover... or a talk >> box... or a TTY machine... Or whatever. For now, Microsoft has chosen to >> make office for mac inaccessible at great pains to themselves. Apple and >> adobe have a love hate relationship, and so adobe products on the mac are >> hit and miss for accessibility users and non alike. As the system >> develops though, It will eventually become impossible to build a program >> on the mac platform that is inaccessible to apples universal access >> design. As such, all software written for macs will eventually be >> accessible, whether you are blind, deaf, dyslexic, paraplegic, or have any >> other disability. We may have to chase every version of ITunes on the >> windows side, but eventually office for mac will be accessible whether ms >> likes it or not, unless they simply choose to scrap office for mac >> development before things get to that stage. We still have a ways to go. >>> >>> >> Article Seven: you wrote, >> "In addition, GW Micro is the only screen reader manufacturer to host and >> moderate an email discussion list. This list is a great resource that >> allows our customers to discuss technical issues and questions with GW >> Micro’s technical support team as well others in the Window-Eyes >> community." >> This is incorrect. NVDA developers run their own user support group >> exactly like GW Micro's. The lead developer of the Espeak software was >> also a regular contributor when I was there, and There should be a brlty >> developer on there by now. Apples accessibility team also monitors the >> macvisionaries user group. While they don't usually participate, hundreds >> of feature requests that get bandied about the group are implemented with >> every new release. I know for a fact that they are watching that group >> because they have posted publicly there on occasion, and the fact that >> they are usually quiet doesn't mean they are ignoring their customer base. >> I believe duxbury systems moderates it's own groups, and I'm sure there >> are others. >> >> Article 9: This made me furious when I read it because it demonstrates an >> appalling amount of sheer ignorance. The statements are categorically >> false, and should be retracted immediately before they generate well >> deserved ill feelings against the company you represent. I'd like to say, >> I have been an apple user for 2 and a half years. before that I was a >> very happy window-eyes user, and though I seldom actually use the product >> these days, I still keep up my sma, and my switch to apple was entirely >> driven by dissatisfaction with windows, and in no way reflects any >> dissatisfaction with window-eyes or GWMicro. I still continue to enjoy >> supporting and training on window-eyes and I'm confident recommending it >> to clients. I'm still pretty mad though. You wrote: >>> "GW Micro believes that having a free screen reader as part of the >>> operating system does a disservice to Blind computer users." >>> >> That's an extremely shaky position to be in, and I'll topple you in a >> second. For now, I want to say that if it wasn't for governemnt funding, >> I wouldn't have window-eyes. I bought it well before the days of the >> payment plan. Last Christmas, I bought a brand new operating system from >> apple including a fully functional screen reader for $35 Canadian. A new >> window-eyes upgrade and a copy of win7 would have cost me just over $300 >> Canadian, $195 for the upgrade from WE6 to 7, and $120 for a copy of win7 >> home premium. not that I think the window-eyes upgrade was not good value >> for money, but if one doesn't have $300 to spend, then they just don't >> have. it. If Ontario's rather dubious funding system were to vanish >> tomorrow, the number of blind people using mac here would go up 500 times >> in the next year. >>> "The relatively small size of the screen reader market does not allow >>> Microsoft or Apple to invest the amount of resources that accessibility >>> truly deserves." >>> >> This is so non-visionary, it would be hilarious if it wasn't so >> inflammatory . Accessibility is not about blind people. We do this all >> the damn time and it's the most selfish stupid thing I've ever heard. I'm >> saddened to hear it spewing out of my screen reader from a company I >> respect. OK, you serve blind people, and blind people are a small market, >> especially blind people who work or go to school or whatever. I mean, >> most people who are blind have macular degeneration which sets in between >> the ages of 60 and 70. They still want to use computers,, but their needs >> are not extravagant. In a world where 1 per sent of the total population >> is blind, I'm the freak of nature who was just born with RP. The odds >> against are astronomically high. So, whenever this subject comes up, it >> always saddens me to hear people natter about how small the blind >> community is and all the trials and tribulations involved in providing >> accessibility. Hello world, is anybody listening? I'm going to say >> something really profound here. You won't want to miss this. The world, >> does not, revolve, around, blind people. There are, other people, who >> need, accessibility, besides, you john blind person. There are deaf >> people out there. Milionds of normal looking people on the street that >> you walk by every day have learning disabilities. There are people with >> musculature and fine motor problems., people who don't have all of their >> limbs, or maybe they only have two fingers on one hand. The number of >> disabilities that inhibit access and the number of potential users that >> benefit from a universally accessible design is limitless. It's not about >> building a screen reader so that apple can sell more computers to blind >> people, although they are doing a phenomenal job of that. It's about >> building a computer that can be used by anyone, regardless of their >> disability. When you look at it that way, the economics make more sense. >> GW micro builds stuff for blind people, and that's great. They do a good >> job of building stuff for blind people. But apple is building stuff for >> everyone, regardless of disability, and they are doing a good job at it. >> >>> "Without a major change in Microsoft or Apple’s infrastructure, they >>> would be ill-prepared to develop a strong and evolving screen reader as >>> well as provide the type of support that is often required by screen >>> reader users." >>> >> Wrong again. Or at least, if a change was needed, it happened in apple, >> and the signs started showing 5 or 6 years ago. That means the actual >> change you speak of probably took place many years before that. >> Window-eyes is a very good product. Certainly better than it's closest >> windows counterpart, but my friend, voiceover is getting to be at least as >> good as window-eyes, and if the position of GWMicro is truly that apple >> will never build a full featured competitive screen reader then you had >> better get your head out of your collective asses or the wave is going to >> sweep this company away. Voiceover offers access to the web which is at >> least as robust as window-eyes or it's competitor except for adobe flash >> which is mostly adobe's fault. Voiceover offers read-write braille >> support via usb and bluetooth for at least 25 braille displays. Voiceover >> has a non-proprietary full featured scripting model using apple script >> which is a part of mac OS. Voiceover even has truly useful features that >> window-eyes does not yet have. For example, window-eyes does not provide >> full access or as far as I know, any access at all to the multi-touch >> trackpad on windows PC's. You can not use jesters in window-eyes to >> control your pc, a feature which many blind mac users have come to rely on >> once past the learning curve. >> As far as the support goes, I can take my computer into any apple store or >> apple reseller and they will sit down in front of me and fix my problem. >> If they don't know what the solution is, they will look it up. There are >> a lot of people supporting apple. Apple hires individuals based on a huge >> array of factors, and they generally manage to finddgood people. It is >> possible to have a bad tech support experience with apple, but it's also >> possible to have the same with GW, or in deed any company. Support is a >> hard job. When things aren't going your way it can be extremely stressful >> for both the support person and the one being supported. It's important >> to be careful about how you criticize some one else's support or decry >> your own. Although I really think GW has very good support overall, I >> would hesitate to pick out any one company and say, "that one has the best >> support". Still, I get face to face, one on one attention for my problems >> and questions from apple. I can have training from the apple store if I >> want, and for less than what GW would charge. I can't even get GW's >> training courses here, much as I'd love to have them. In order to bring >> the courses here, I have to find 5 to 10 people who want the course and >> have the money to pay for it, find a venue to host it, and so on. I've >> read the review of window-eyes training courses. It made me drool, but I >> don't think it's accurate at all to say that a mainstream provider can't >> give blind customers the attention they need. >>> "Without competition from screen reader manufacturers like GW Micro there >>> will be no incentive for Apple or Microsoft to include a feature-rich and >>> powerful screen reader into their operating system." >>> >> Well I think we've put pay to the fully functioning nonsense. Competition >> isn't bad. I'm for sure grateful I had a choice between jaws and >> window-eyes back in the day. It's saved me a lot of frustration. I'm for >> sure grateful I had a choice between mac and windows, cause even though I >> work a job, I'm not exactly the most wealthy guy in the world, and I have >> to watch it. I'm glad the vinux project is doing so well, and I love >> looking forward to the new release of NVDA every year. It would be really >> tough for any one to come in and compete with apple though. How do you >> beat some one in the market when they offer a universally accessible >> operating system? I guess there is vinux, but it's a tough sell. Now you >> are talking around in circles, because first you say that there's no way a >> mainstream company can build and support a full functioning screen reader, >> and Then you say that competition from companies like GW Micro is driving >> microsoft and apple accessibility.. This is ridiculous. You can not have >> it both ways. In fact, my info is that full accessibility was tried by MS >> back around the turn of the century, and it got squashed by the NFB, who >> incidentally, did a huge hack job on Voiceover when Leopard came out and >> was forced to print retractions, after users demonstrated numerous >> statements made by the organization to be completely false. Wherefore, no >> one was interested in mac OS 10 until apple made it interesting, and now >> it's competitive after many years of work and revision. Where were >> GWMicro and Freedom Scientific back in OS10.1? Serving the 90% windows >> community and being paid rather well for doing so, while apple took the >> initiative and built something. So both of these statements trip over >> eachother and fall flat on their faces. >>> >>> GWMicro has so many good things to offer blind users, and I'm sorry that >>> no one else showed up for the show down; However, If you publish >>> something like this to a wider community, then what you have to offer is >>> going to get lost amid all the inaccurate, contradictory and inflammatory >>> statements about other companies and the blind community. This is not >>> the way, and I very much hope you will reconsider. >>> >>> >> Regards, >> >> Erik Burggraaf >> Check out my first ever podcast tutorial, Learn braille using the braille >> box. >> Visit http://www.erik-burggraaf.com and click podcasts to read more and >> subscribe. >> >> On 2010-09-01, at 2:28 PM, m...@gwmicro.com wrote: >> >>> >>> Earlier this summer, the Information Access Committee invited GW Micro, >>> Freedom Scientific, Serotek, NVDA and Apple to participate in the Future >>> of Screen Readers discussion panel at the 2010 ACB convention in Phoenix >>> Arizona. When the time came for the discussion panel, GW Micro was the >>> only screen reader manufacturer that showed up to participate. In >>> fairness, Serotek and NVDA attempted to participate via Skype but were >>> unable to do so because of Internet connectivity issues in the hotel >>> conference area. As for the others, Freedom Scientific declined to >>> participate and Apple did not even acknoweldge the invitation sent by the >>> Information Access Committee. GW Micro would like to take this >>> opportunity to publicly respond to the 10 questions asked of each >>> participant and you can find the ten discussion panel questions along >>> with our responses below: >>> >>> 1. Each of your companies has a different business model for marketing >>> and selling your screen reader. Based on this model, describe how your >>> product is expected to impact the overall market for screen readers. >>> >>> GW Micro’s business model is driven by the needs of our customers and >>> screen reader users all over the world. Our goal is to make current >>> versions of the Windows operating system and all Windows-based >>> applications fully accessible. >>> >>> This is accomplished by three methods. First, we try to make Window-Eyes >>> as flexible as possible so that the operating system and user >>> applications will be completely accessible and usable “out of the box” >>> without having to perform any screen reader customization or scripting. >>> Second, we offer users the ability to create set files which can be used >>> to customize and enhance the speaking environment of an application that >>> might not be fully accessible out of the box. The task of creating set >>> files in Window-Eyes can be easily accomplished using an intuitive user >>> interface. Lastly, we allow you to customize the operating system and >>> applications based on a user’s specific needs. This is done by providing >>> the most powerful scripting abilities of any screen reader currently >>> available. Unlike the competition, Window-Eyes scripting uses the >>> industry standard approach of COM Automation which allows >>> state-of-the-art programming languages to harness the full power of >>> Window-Eyes and create a seamless computing experience for the end-user. >>> More than 200 Window-Eyes scripts are already available for use and can >>> be downloaded for free directly from Script Central (www.gwmicro.com/sc). >>> >>> >>> With over 90% of computers running a Windows operating system and the >>> increasing popularity of Windows 7, we expect that there will continue to >>> be strong demand for a stable, secure and flexible Windows-based screen >>> reading solution in the marketplace. In addition, we expect that >>> Window-Eyes will continue to grow in popularity as more people learn >>> about the powerful scripting capabilities as well as the screen reader’s >>> unmatched stability. It is also important to mention that GW Micro was >>> the first and still the only screen reader manufacturer to offer a >>> payment plan. We believe that the Window-Eyes payment plan has had a >>> dramatic impact on the screen reader market by making a powerful screen >>> reader like Window-Eyes affordable to people on fixed incomes as well as >>> others who find themselves in a difficult financial situation. >>> >>> 2. The role of computing has shifted dramatically in the past few years >>> with much computing being done either remotely—through some kind of >>> cloud-based virtual operating system—or virtual machines via products >>> such as VMware. Going forward, tell us about your strategy to support >>> remote and virtual computing with your screen reader. >>> >>> GW Micro worked diligently to be the first screen reader to support >>> remote computing. This was accomplished by working very closely with >>> Citrix and Microsoft to make sure their remote access technologies would >>> be accessible with Window-Eyes. This allowed screen reader users access >>> to remote computers using software like Remote Desktop for the first time >>> in screen reader history. GW Micro has also spent considerable time and >>> effort to make sure that both fat and thin client computing is fully >>> supported. In addition, GW Micro continues to expand Window-Eyes support >>> for virtual computing platforms including VMWare, Virtual PC, Virtual Box >>> and Parallels. Moving forward, our strategy will be to continue to work >>> very closely with leading technology firms that provide remote and >>> virtual computing solutions to ensure that these products continue to be >>> fully accessible with Window-Eyes. >>> >>> 3. As you know, braille is absolutely vital to many aspects of the lives >>> that we live as people who are blind or visually impaired including >>> education, employment, and literacy. How do you imagine support for >>> braille can be improved in your product? >>> >>> GW Micro understands the importance of Braille and Braille literacy in >>> the Blind and visually impaired community. In addition, Braille is >>> essential for a computer user who is Deaf-Blind and GW Micro is proud to >>> report that many of the leading advocates in the Deaf-Blind community >>> prefer Window-Eyes as their screen reader of choice. This is in part >>> because of our attention to detail found in the Window-Eyes Braille >>> support with features like Quick Message and Speech Box mode. Another >>> benefit of our Braille support is that Window-Eyes Braille output can be >>> customized and presented in three different ways or modes: Structured, >>> Line and Speech Box. These three modes give the user the flexibility to >>> control how Window-Eyes will present information on the Braille display >>> based on their individual Braille reading preferences. For example, in >>> Line mode, all of the text and controls of a dialog box will be displayed >>> on the same line of Braille instead of displaying each text item and >>> control on a separate line. By displaying all of the information found >>> in the dialog on one line of Braille, the user can access all of the >>> information very quickly without the need to continually scroll down line >>> by line. >>> >>> Moving forward, we are very optimistic about the future of Braille and >>> Window-Eyes Braille support. Because of the advanced scripting >>> abilities of Window-Eyes, Braille display manufacturers like Handy Tech >>> have created powerful scripts allowing users to make better use of their >>> Braille displays. In addition, innovative features being introduced in >>> Braille displays like Active Tactile Control (ATC) will allow users to >>> interact with their applications in more efficient ways without having to >>> move your fingers away from the Braille display. >>> >>> GW Micro is constantly striving to make sure any and all Braille displays >>> are supported by Window-Eyes. GW Micro and many other leaders in >>> assistive technology have chosen to support the OpenBraille initiative. >>> The focus of this initiative is to develop a universal standard which >>> will allow for any Braille display to work with any screen reader >>> automatically. Regretfully, not all screen reader manufacturers support >>> this initiative which is negatively impacting the affordability and >>> compatibility of Braille displays and screen readers. For more >>> information, please feel free to review the two insightful blog posts >>> made by Doug Geoffray, the lead developer of Window-Eyes, on the Braille >>> driver signing issue found at >>> http://www.gwmicro.com/blog/index.php/all/?title=a-thought-on-braille-driver-signing >>> and >>> http://www.gwmicro.com/blog/index.php/all/?title=more-thoughts-on-braille-driver-signing&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1. >>> In addition, if you would like to sign the petition to voice your >>> opposition to the “Secure and Compatible Braille Display Initiative” >>> which in our opinion will only serve to harm the Braille reading >>> community as a whole, please visit: >>> http://www.petitiononline.com/brl4all/. >>> >>> 4. The future role of the World Wide Web is often described as that of a >>> highly interactive, media-rich desktop. As we move into the era where >>> this role becomes more and more evident with the gradual implementation >>> of such technologies as AJAX and those collectively known as HTML5, what >>> challenges do you foresee your screen reader facing? What opportunities >>> do you imagine these interfaces to bring? >>> >>> GW Micro feels that the opportunities presented by emerging web >>> technologies such as ARIA and HTML5 will be truly amazing as long as web >>> authors are given the necessary strategies and tools needed to make their >>> web content accessible in an efficient manner. GW Micro will continue to >>> work closely with companies and organizations that create web and >>> accessibility standards as we strive to make the web as accessible as >>> possible. >>> >>> The biggest challenge that we currently face is making the transition >>> from reading simple static web pages to web pages and web applications >>> that are much more complex and dynamic. This challenge cannot be >>> overcome by adding a few lines of code or writing a few simple scripts. >>> Instead, GW Micro will invest a significant amount of time and resources >>> to completely re-write the Window-Eyes Browse Mode giving users the power >>> and flexibility needed to access the web content of both today and >>> tomorrow. GW Micro plans to include our new web support in the next >>> major release of Window-Eyes, version 8. >>> >>> 5. With rapid changes, often dramatic at times, in operating systems, >>> browsers, and other technologies, screen reader users express frustration >>> that they are unable to take advantage of the technologies used by their >>> sighted peers for months—if not years. In addition, the interaction >>> model for each screen reader may differ significantly. What >>> collaborative steps can you take to reduce the lag and different >>> interaction modalities for increased benefit to users? >>> >>> In the past, it was not uncommon for screen reader users to have to wait >>> several months before a new operating system or application would become >>> accessible. GW Micro was not satisfied with this paradigm so we took the >>> necessary steps to make sure that major applications and operating >>> systems are supported on day one. This is accomplished by working very >>> closely with the application developers during design time to ensure that >>> their applications are fully accessible with a screen reader. >>> >>> GW Micro has a strong reputation for working closely with key application >>> developers in an effort to provide full access to applications at the >>> time they are made available to the public. The list of software >>> companies that GW Micro has collaborated with over the years includes >>> Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Adobe, Citrix and many others. >>> >>> Microsoft is at the top of the list because we strive to provide full >>> access to every version of Windows before or as soon as it is released to >>> the public. In fact, Microsoft contracted with GW Micro to write the >>> Display Chain Manager (DCM) which set the precedent for collaboration >>> between a screen reader manufacturer and a commercial technology giant >>> like Microsoft. Window-Eyes was the first screen reader to support >>> Windows Vista because during a two week porting lab at Microsoft, GW >>> Micro was the only screen reader manufacturer to send our software >>> engineers for the entire two week period. Because of our extra efforts, >>> Microsoft decided to use Window-Eyes to demonstrate the accessibility of >>> Windows Vista prior to the official release of the operating system. >>> Window-Eyes was also the first screen reader to support Microsoft Office >>> 2007 and 2010 because we worked directly with the Office team to ensure >>> full accessibility. >>> >>> Our collaborative efforts with Adobe and Macromedia led to Window-Eyes >>> being the first screen reader to support both PDF files and Flash >>> content. In addition, Window-Eyes was the first screen reader to support >>> Citrix and Terminal services because GW Micro was the first screen reader >>> manufacturer to work with Citrix and Microsoft to make these tools >>> accessible. >>> >>> Moving forward, GW Micro’s strategy will be to continue to work side by >>> side with leading software developers so that accessibility incorporated >>> into the design and development of future operating systems and >>> applications. >>> >>> 6. Imagine that you are participating on a panel 5 years from now. What >>> do you hope you can tell us about the screen reader space and the role of >>> your screen reader in it? >>> >>> While companies like Microsoft and Apple will continue to integrate >>> accessibility into their operating systems, we feel that GW Micro and >>> other screen reader manufacturers will still have an important role to >>> play in the market. This holds true because competition has been proven >>> to drive creativity and innovation. Without competition from companies >>> like GW Micro, Microsoft and Apple will have no incentive to make their >>> screen readers work with competing technologies. For example, what >>> incentive would Apple have to make their screen reader work with >>> Microsoft Office and what incentive would Microsoft have to make their >>> screen reader work with iTunes? >>> >>> Many people are optimistically waiting for a utopia where all >>> applications and technologies are accessible from day one because >>> commercial technology vendors will build accessibility into their >>> products. While this might sound like an ideal solution to the >>> accessibility issues we face today, history has shown us that technology >>> evolves too quickly for this to be possible in all cases. Because of >>> this, screen reader pioneers like GW Micro will still play a very >>> important role in developing the most innovative solutions to solve the >>> accessibility problems inherent in commercial technologies. >>> >>> GW Micro has been a pioneer in the screen reader industry for over 20 >>> years and its founders, Doug Geoffray and Dan Weirich have been >>> developing assistive technology for Blind and visually impaired computer >>> users since the early 80’s. We have the experience and knowledge >>> required to develop a powerful screen reader and properly support our >>> customers. If Apple and Microsoft are the only companies left offering a >>> screen reader in the future, you can rest assured that screen readers >>> will only be capable of what an Apple or Microsoft want them to instead >>> of what screen reader users actually need them to do. In contrast, GW >>> Micro will continue to pioneer innovative and customer driven solutions >>> and add to our “list of firsts” as new operating systems and applications >>> are developed. >>> >>> 7. Training and support are essential for most screen reader users. >>> What innovative steps can you take in the future to ensure that your >>> users have the best training and support available? What are some >>> challenges are you likely to face? >>> >>> GW Micro has a unique training model that is not matched by any of our >>> competitors. GW Micro offers two types of Window-Eyes training: >>> individualized one-on-one phone training as well as hands-on group >>> training. >>> >>> Our phone training is the perfect training option for someone who would >>> like personalized training that can be setup around their schedule and at >>> an affordable cost. You can read more about our phone training by >>> visiting: http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Phone_Training/. >>> >>> GW Micro also travels around the country conducting hands-on Window-Eyes >>> training classes that cover basic and intermediate Window-Eyes skills. >>> These classes have been extremely successful and were recently reviewed >>> and recognized by the American Foundation for the Blind’s AccessWorld >>> online publication. You can read the glowing review written by Deborah >>> Kendrick by visiting: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw110305. >>> >>> >>> With the introduction of Window-Eyes scripting, GW Micro has launched >>> hands-on Window-Eyes scripting training classes as well. These classes >>> give individuals an opportunity to learn how to download, configure and >>> use Window-Eyes scripts as well as how to start writing your own >>> Window-Eyes scripts. GW Micro offers both a Beginner/Intermediate >>> scripting class as well as an Advanced scripting class. You can read >>> more about our script training by visiting: >>> http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Script_Training/. >>> >>> GW Micro has a reputation for offering superior technical support and >>> this is accomplished by having a dedicated group of technical support >>> representatives and engineers to help our customers troubleshoot and >>> resolve any problems that they may encounter. Unlike other companies, >>> you are always going to speak to a real person when you call us for >>> support. In addition, GW Micro is the only screen reader manufacturer to >>> host and moderate an email discussion list. This list is a great >>> resource that allows our customers to discuss technical issues and >>> questions with GW Micro’s technical support team as well others in the >>> Window-Eyes community. >>> >>> Moving forward, GW Micro would like to continue to use and deploy new >>> solutions that take advantage of remote computing and emerging web >>> technologies so we can continue to improve and enhance the support and >>> training we provide. For example, GW Micro is actively using social >>> media outlets including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to increase >>> our outreach and exposure to the community. In addition, GW Micro gives >>> everyone the ability to review and rate scripts at Script Central >>> (www.gwmicro.com/sc), participate in forums dedicated to accessibility >>> (www.gwmicro.com/forum) as well as to contribute to online documentation >>> (www.gwmicro.com/wiki). >>> >>> At GW Micro, we don’t just provide assistive technology solutions; we are >>> an active member of the Blind and visually impaired community. GW Micro >>> hopes to pass along our knowledge and expertise to a new generation of >>> assistive technology trainers, consultants and end-users. We are >>> optimistic that our model for training and support will lead to a growing >>> and prosperous community of Window-Eyes users all over the world. >>> >>> 8. What are the top three things you would tell developers who develop >>> software, websites, and interactive environments? >>> >>> First, we would recommend software developers introduce accessibility at >>> design time using existing standards instead of creating new standards or >>> trying to retro fit accessibility into the application or website after >>> the fact. This should reduce development costs and greatly enhance the >>> accessibility of the application. Second, we would encourage software >>> developers to work directly with accessibility leaders such as GW Micro. >>> This can lead to more commercial software being fully accessible “out of >>> the box” with screen readers. Lastly, we would tell developers that they >>> should have Blind and visually impaired users test their software for >>> accessibility and usability before releasing the product. We believe >>> that this strategy would help software companies better understand the >>> unique perspective of Blind and visually impaired computer users and >>> encourage them to fix accessibility issues found in their software before >>> it is released. >>> >>> 9. By introducing a screen reader as an integral part of the operating >>> system available for every user and at no additional cost, Apple has >>> changed the dynamics of the screen reader industry. What changes need to >>> occur for Microsoft to bring about a similar model for Windows? What >>> reasons are there for not taking such a step? >>> >>> GW Micro believes that having a free screen reader as part of the >>> operating system does a disservice to Blind computer users. How many >>> people dropped their dedicated screen reader in favor of Microsoft >>> Narrator when it first came out in Windows or now that it has been around >>> for more than a decade? The relatively small size of the screen reader >>> market does not allow Microsoft or Apple to invest the amount of >>> resources that accessibility truly deserves. Without a major change in >>> Microsoft or Apple’s infrastructure, they would be ill-prepared to >>> develop a strong and evolving screen reader as well as provide the type >>> of support that is often required by screen reader users. Without >>> competition from screen reader manufacturers like GW Micro there will be >>> no incentive for Apple or Microsoft to include a feature-rich and >>> powerful screen reader into their operating system. >>> >>> 10. As a developer of a screen reader, what to you is the most >>> frustrating aspect of being in this market? >>> >>> GW Micro’s biggest frustration is not being able to make all of our >>> customers’ applications and the web pages they browse fully accessible. >>> With the growing use of accessibility standards by software developers in >>> conjunction with the powerful scripting capabilities and increased >>> flexibility of Window-Eyes, we are optimistic that we will eventually be >>> able to reach our goal of making all of our customers’ applications and >>> favorite web pages fully accessible. >>> >>> >>> If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender >>> only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is >>> related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to >>> gw-i...@gwmicro.com >>> so the entire list will receive it. >>> >>> GW-Info messages are archived at >>> http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at >>> http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv >>> . >>> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
