Re: Keyboard Navigation For Document Exploration In SVG 1.2

david poehlman writes:
 > 
 > Will and all,
 > 
 > Thanks for the explanation which fits with what I'd have expected in this 
 > situation and which, I can imagine would provide a rich environment under 
 > certain circulstances.
Agreed.
 > 
 > I think at the least, you'd have to specify the square as either vertical or 
 > horrizontal lines so as you explore the square, it would say vertical line 
 > followed by its ifnormation such as length, position and color and 
 > thickness.  then, when you come to the horrizontal line, it would be 
 > expressed as a horrizontal line in the same fashion.
 > 

But this still wouldn't be sufficient as it fails to specify whether
the lines are connected to form a polygon in the plane.

While there may be some for whom this would be valuable, I wouldn't
use it for cognitive reasons. As soon as the complexity went up beyond
simple polygons I would run into cognitive barriers very quickly.
Interpreting raised line graphics is hard enough; trying to remember
and process it in audio would be much worse. I've never been able to
interpret two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional
objects as depicted in raised-line diagrams. On the other hand, if the
figure is described in language that conveys its function or purpose I
can comprehend it.

It would be a mistake to consider any image exploration system as a
substitute for written descriptions, which cannot as yet be provided
automatically (though this may change). What I would need is a
description such as:
"Graph of f(x) = x^2 in a rectangular coordinate plane. The x and y
axes are labeled, as is the origin."
rather than statements about lines, curves etc., requiring navigation
by the user.

I am not suggesting my needs are the same as everyone else's, but
rather that an image exploration system would not provide me with
accessibility - and I am sure there are others in a similar position.

Received on Monday, 29 November 2004 23:30:41 UTC