Re: Audio formats

Just an FYI:

On my site www.accessibleware.org I use a plug-in from BrowseAloud. Once the
site is enabled, and you have downloaded the plug-in, you can "hear" the
site. It requires you to move the mouse or I assume tab, to get over the
sentence/line of text, and then you can "hear" it. The person to reach at
BrowseAloud is Garry Morrison <g.morrison@texthelp.com>. Let me know how
that works out.

Regards,
Asif./


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Chetwynd" <j.chetwynd@btinternet.com>
To: "Webmaster@EDD" <web@edd.ca.gov>
Cc: "'Charles McCathieNevile'" <charles@sidar.org>; <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Audio formats


>
> I'm not sure what you have in mind, but plenty of people enjoy
> listening to the radio, via the internet, and this must include the
> visually impaired.
> presumably some stations write their content for the deaf community.
> Would you prefer your news read by a newscaster you know or a machine?
>
> Many of our users have a visual impairment, and may also have a
> cognitive one.
> Our students undoubtedly prefer recorded audio at the present time, as
> do children.
> Ours have experience of listening and understanding human speech
> impediments.
> Children don't, in the main.
>
> It remains true that screen readers may appear to offer convenience, if
> you have the funds available, the ability to configure and use one, and
> the intelligence to understand what is being read.
> In any other case an alternative solution may be preferable.
>
> Jonathan
>
> On Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at 04:39 PM, Webmaster@EDD wrote:
>
> > Thanks Chaals.
> >
> > I can elaborate on the customers' belief, only in so far as I
> > understand it
> > (and yes, I've asked).
> >
> > Here's what I know:  A Deputy Director heard about text-to-speech, and
> > thought that meant "recorded audio," and directed her staff to
> > investigate
> > the idea of pushing all her department's content in both written and
> > recorded audio formats.  Those staff then directed their research on
> > the
> > subject of her literal request (rather than focusing on the spirit of
> > her
> > intent).
> >
> > I've never heard of anyone anywhere ever using recorded audio versions
> > of
> > written content in an effort to improve accessibility for the visually
> > impaired community.
> >
> > Was wondering if anyone else has.
> >
> > sb
> >
> >
> >> Can you explain more about why your customers believe there is value
> >> in
> >> recorded audio? It may be that I am missing something particular to
> >> your case.
> >
> >> cheers
> >
> >> Chaals
> >
>
>
>

Received on Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:00:15 UTC