Re: Digital Web Magazine - Seven Accessibility Mistakes (Part 1)

> > Test one, or ask a person that is dependent on assistive technology
> > how they use it and what they really need and want.
> 
> The advice to ask real users how they use them is much better 

But, Nielsen's "Don't listen to users" [1] applies here as well, so testing
is still far more commendable than just asking users.

> than the idea that developers should try out screenreaders.

And from my experience, trying out assistive technologies (AT) is perfect
for sensitization. While I agree that developers should not rely alone on
their experience using e.g. screenreaders, I recommend using them
nonetheless to get a feeling for AT usage and common problems AT users face.
Every open mouth I see when accessing a page with a simple voice browser
shows that trying out does a good job in sensitizing.


[1] http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010805.html


-- 
Jens Meiert
Information Architect

http://meiert.com/

| Webdesign mit CSS (O'Reilly, German)
| http://meiert.com/cssdesign/

Received on Wednesday, 1 February 2006 09:57:07 UTC