[Athen] Accessible Web conferencing

[Ken Petri]

Hi Howard,

We have done some testing recently, as OSU is attempting to move toward
enterprise-wide support for a virtual classroom/distance learning tool.

TC Conference is highly accessible--captioning, full keyboard and screen
reader accessibility.

Elluminate/BbCollaborate has been working on accessibility in a consortium
with university participation for more than a year and has made real
strides. It is more powerful and full featured than TC.

Significantly, Adobe Connect version 8 (latest release) has very substantial
improvements over previous versions. It is certainly worth a look. The
current limitation with this Flash/Flex-based solution, however, is that,
for the best accessibility with a screen reader, users will need to use JAWS
and open Connect within Internet Explorer (rather than in the the Connect
add-in.)  Accessibility is more limited with other screen reader/browser
combinations. Keyboard accessibility within the add-in is very good--almost
complete, and generally very well implemented, using F6 to move between
"pods," for example. Currently Flash is not accessible to VoiceOver on the
Mac, though Adobe has promised improvements in the next few point versions.

I don't want to mention by name the other platforms we looked at--but TC,
Connect, and Elluminate were far and away the best for accessibility amongst
platforms we evaluated in this latest round. We will re-test in the Spring,
considering our process moves forward (certainly not a guarantee, given
tight budgets).

If you want to call me some time, Howard, I can go into a bit more detail.

ken
---
  Ken Petri
  Program Director, OSU Web Accessibility Center
  102D Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue
  Columbus, Ohio  43210
  Office: 614.292.1760
  Mobile: 614.218.1499
  Fax: 614.292.4190
  Web: wac.osu.edu
  Email: petri.1 at osu.edu



On Tue, Dec 21, 2010 at 1:39 AM, Nicaise D <ndogbo at gmail.com> wrote:


>  Using a screen reader, WebEx isn't. You can only access the menu bar and

> menu items to share your desktop once control is given to you. You can't for

> instance independently take nor pass control, and so many other things you

> can't do. You can't even create an account independently because of the

> visual only captcha.

> Thx,

> Nicaise

>

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>  ------------------------------

> *From:* athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] *On

> Behalf Of *Howard Kramer

> *Sent:* Monday, December 20, 2010 5:16 PM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network

> *Subject:* [Athen] Accessible Web conferencing

>

> Hello All:

>

> I've heard from Terry that Elluminate is the most accessible Web

> Conferencing service. Does anyone know about WebEx or services from Qwest or

> Verizon? Does anyone know if their services/platform are accessible?

>

> Thanks,

> Howard

>

> --

> Howard Kramer

> AHG Conference Coordinator

> Access Specialist

> 303-492-8672

> fax: 492-5601

> Disability Services

> Division of ODECE- achieving excellence through diversity and inclusion

>

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