[Athen] Jaws and javascript links

[Terry Thompson]

Hi Stacy, 

Is there a good reason why they can't deliver all links in HTML? Otherwise
they'll be excluding *anyone* who's using a browser or device that doesn't
support Javascript or that has Javascript disabled. That's a much broader
problem than just excluding screen reader users. 

Terry 

Terry Thompson
Technology Specialist, DO-IT
University of Washington
tft at u.washington.edu
206/221-4168 
http://www.washington.edu/doit


> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org 

> [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Stacy L. Smith

> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 9:16 AM

> To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network

> Subject: [Athen] Jaws and javascript links

> 

> This message is for those of you famliar with Jaws - HTML 

> interactions.

> 

> K-State uses a homegrown learning management system, which 

> has a very robust user interface.  A couple of semesters ago 

> they changed the main level navigation to where some links 

> are HTML and some are Javascript. 

> I just found out from a user this morning that he can't see 

> what turns out to be the javascript links.  THe design team 

> assumed that Jaws would read the text on the screen and 

> didn't realize that the user may not be navigating that way 

> (and is instead navigating by looking for links).

> 

> The design and programming crew is VERY interested in 

> accessibility and wants very much to fix this problem.  We 

> have a new release coming out in early January, and it's 

> possible we could fix this problem by then. 

> We just need to know how to do that without sacrificing the 

> look and feel of the page for sighted users.

> 

> Does anyone have any experience or ideas to share?  For 

> example, we wondered if there might be a name or value 

> attribute that the reader might pick up, or perhaps some 

> other very clever solution.

> 

> I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

> 

> Thanks,

> Stacy

> 

> 

> Stacy Smith

> Adaptive Technology Specialist, Disability Support Services

> 532-6441

> stacylee at ksu.edu

> 

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~

> 

> One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to 

> practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are 

> standing, and that is the place to train.

> 

> --Morehei Ueshiba

> 

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