Re: web-security technologies, CAPTCHA, v1

Hi All,

 I've just went through the Hotmail Audio Captcha - what an awful experience!

 I have a concern regarding the language used to describe what a user
must do to complete a captcha. I write a lot of technical documents. I
also write documents for non technical people. I am often guilty of
using overly technical language in prose intended for a non technical
audience. Seeing the phrase "Enter the characters that you see" made
me think the Captcha creator for Hotmail may be guilty of the same
thing, that the actual captcha instructions may not be in plain enough
language and may be an additional barrier for some - perhaps it's more
than just understanding the meaning of words. This is again compounded
by the variety of different instructions out there, a point already
noted. Plain non technical language should be used where at all
possible.

Thanks, T

On 2 September 2014 12:47, Debra Ruh Global <debra@ruhglobal.com> wrote:
> Good addition Neil. John like your text. Thanks for being so active and
> helpful to our group.
>
> Debra Ruh, Ruh Global Communications
> Global Disability Inclusion Strategist and Marketing
> G3ict Employability & Technology Chair
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>
> On Sep 2, 2014, at 4:16 AM, "Milliken, Neil" <neil.milliken@atos.net> wrote:
>
> Hi John thanks for this.
>
>
>
> Can you add that people may not be able to complete CAPTCHAs correctly due
> to sequencing problems causing them to input the characters in incorrect
> order. ( I know this from bitter and repeated experience).
>
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
>
> Neil Milliken
>
> Head of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion
>
> Atos
>
> M: 07812325386
>
> E: Neil.Milliken@atos.net
>
> http://atos.net/iux
>
> http://atos.net/accessibilityservices
>
>
>
> From: Rochford, John [mailto:john.rochford@umassmed.edu]
> Sent: Monday, September 01, 2014 6:53 PM
> To: public-cognitive-a11y-tf@w3.org
> Subject: web-security technologies, CAPTCHA, v1
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> As you may know, I agreed to review web-security technologies. I chose to
> begin with CAPTCHA. My first draft is below. The format I am using is the
> one I intend to use for future reviews. All the text is my own.
>
>
>
> I welcome your feedback, additions, and/or revisions.
>
>
>
> CAPTCHA
>
>
>
> Definition
>
> CAPTCHA is typically a website widget that prevents automated programs from
> submitting a web form intended for humans by requiring humans to pass a
> test. Such tests present distorted text visually and/or aurally; and require
> the form-submitter to enter that text into a field, and invoke a submit
> button.
>
> See http://www.captcha.net/
>
>
>
> Problem
>
> CAPTCHA often blocks people with physical and cognitive disabilities who
> cannot discern the text they are required to enter and submit. The scope of
> the problem is vast because, for example, people with disabilities are
> prevented from purchasing goods and registering for services on millions of
> websites.
>
>
>
> People with Cognitive Disabilities May Not Be Able to:
>
> ·     read CAPTCHA text at all because of the intentional distortion of it
>
> ·     comprehend text that can’t be enlarged without additional distortion
>
> ·     have the advantage of comprehending the meaning of words or images
>
> ·     understand text spoken in a computerized and distorted voice
>
> ·     complete the multi-step procedure for submitting the CAPTCHA text
>
> ·     complete a timed CAPTCHA due to slowness in completing all steps
>
> ·     understand the purpose of buttons such as reset, listen, and help
>
> ·     recognize functional elements, such as buttons, are clickable
>
> ·     focus due to irrelevant instructions such as “stop spam” and “read
> books”
>
> ·     become accustomed to CAPTCHA because there are multiple versions of it
>
>
>
> Alternatives
>
> ·     Inaccessibility of CAPTCHA: Alternatives to Visual Turing Tests on the
> Web, World Wide Web Consortium, November, 2005.
>
> ·     A Sliding Alternative to CAPTCHA?, L. Wroblewski, June, 2010.
>
> ·     sweetCaptcha: Fun and Human Friendly Captcha
>
>
>
> John
>
>
>
> John Rochford
> UMass Medical School/E.K. Shriver Center
> Director, INDEX Program
> Instructor, Family Medicine & Community Health
> http://www.DisabilityInfo.org
> Twitter: @ClearHelper
>
>
>
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-- 
Anthony (Tony) Doran
BrowseAloud Product Manager
Texthelp Ltd.
Lucas Exchange,
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Greystone Road
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BT41 2RU

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Texthelp Ltd is a limited company registered in Belfast, N. Ireland with 
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place of business at Lucas Exchange, 1 Orchard Way, Antrim, N. Ireland, 
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Received on Tuesday, 2 September 2014 15:30:56 UTC