- From: Kynn Bartlett <kynn-hwg@idyllmtn.com>
- Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 15:52:32 -0800
- To: Steve Donie <sdonie@zycor.lgc.com>
- Cc: "'Gregory J. Rosmaita'" <unagi69@concentric.net>, Michael Burks <mburks952@worldnet.att.net>, WAI Interest Group Emailing List <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
At 02:17 PM 11/19/1999 , Steve Donie wrote: >Yes, the PR folks at Microsoft (not always those who are in the >Accessibility & Disabilities Group) do like to show off what Microsoft has >done. Many times they do not understand the positions that the MS A&DG has >taken (i.e. that Narrator is not a full functioning screen reader, or that >MS does not want to squash AT vendors), or the sensitivity that the >community has towards Microsoft's efforts. In my opinion, there are positive benefits to Microsoft's PR people doing this, even if Microsoft's product is exceedingly crappy (I'm not saying it is or isn't; I'm not a user!). From the standpoint of an educator of web designers (and web decision makers), there is great value in -anyone- getting out the message that people like Gregory or David even exist! I've been AMAZED at how many web designers I've spoken with have stared at me blankly and uncomprehendingly when I've asked my standard opener question, "Hi, I'm Kynn, do you know if your site is accessible to people with disabilities?" Many of them have told me outright that they've never even HEARD of blind people using computers nor could they POSSIBLY imagine them trying to access a web page. So greater awareness (AWARE-ness?) of the issue is obviously a plus, and silly demos like Al Gore playing with a screen magnifier can help impress upon the public consciousness the idea of blind folks using computers. With the good there's sometimes the bad, though -- and this can happen even with product demonstrations of "good" accessibility software. If someone sees a demonstration they may conclude, incorrectly, that assistive technologies are all that's needed -- because they saw this amazing new screenreader on teevee last night, they think the problem has been solved! The web is now accessible, hurrah, there is much rejoicing! Naturally, these folks need their awareness raised in a different direction -- they need the question, "ah, so _does_ your web site work with assistive technology? do you know one way or the other? AOL's didn't...and they got a lawsuit filed because of that." Raising awareness can be hard work sometimes! -- Kynn Bartlett mailto:kynn@hwg.org President, HTML Writers Guild http://www.hwg.org/ AWARE Center Director http://aware.hwg.org/
Received on Friday, 19 November 1999 19:30:42 UTC