EOWG: Regrets for 7 March 2008 Teleconference - Is WAI ARIA screen reader centric?

What will happen to talking browsers with ARIA.  The talking browser 
usually adds to a standard browser.  It allows the ability to read out 
loud and usually provides visual tracking aids.  It works well with 
middle sized print - somewhere between 200% and 400%.  These aids work 
for many dyslexic users and users with partial sight.  Things like 
screen readers can be distracting to this group because they interfere 
with use of limited vision or they simply distract with constant 
chatter. Screen magnifiers are really for individuals with legal 
blindness.  They pose profound navigation issues and don't solve most of 
them.

So the talking browser serves a large, actually the largest group, of 
people with print disabilities, but WAI ARIA primer only addresses 
screen readers.  Moreover, the WAI ARIA technical literature doesn't 
really go beyond screen readers or magnifiers. 

Two questions:  As an awareness group shouldn't EO expand this focus 
with other examples?  Should ARIA reexamine the accessibility of 
assistive technology other than screen readers and magnifiers... aids 
for the blind or legally blind.

Wayne

Received on Friday, 7 March 2008 12:58:24 UTC