Is+Web+2.0+ready+for+blind+users+in+2011


 * Is Web 2.0 ready for blind users in 2011?**

Today, many of us use websites for work, education, banking and social interaction on a daily basis. Unfortunately, if we are blind, this seemingly easy task would take a great deal of time and effort. There are currently over 45 million blind people in the world. They are non-visual users trying to navigate through websites what were designed “by” and “for” visual users. Therefore, there is a need to increase the usability and accessibility of websites for the blind.

There are accessibility tools that currently help with this problem. Screen readers can work on some parts of websites. However, they often mispronounce words, have too many commands to remember and lack the ability to read graphics. Another problem is that websites are too complicated for the screen Reader to actually read. Using the internet is a listening activity for blind users. They rely on keyboards to input information. Imagine trying to move a cursor without the ability to visually see where to click inside box or on a link? Some browsers like Firefox offer accessibility tools that may be added. Using these tools, you can change font colors, highlight information and increase the size of text. However, there are many more features that need to be developed. The ones that are currently available are not enough to allow easy access for blind users. The actual number of non-visual users on the internet is declining because of this issue.

Regrettably, there are still barriers for blind Web 2.0 internet users. In order for this issue to change, there needs to be more research that will address the usability and accessibility problem. This research will only be effective if there are non-visual consultants present to clarify their concerns. As the world becomes more dependent on the internet to function, the current gap for blind users must be filled.

Sources:

· [|American Foundation for the Blind] · [|cureblindness.org] · [|Access Firefox] · [|Should Sighted Developers Use Screenreaders To Test Accessibility?] · [|Technolog - How //blind people// see //the Internet//]

There are so many challenges that the visually impaired still face in every aspect of life. In technology, we are still facing road blocks which prevent the visually impaired become twenty first century users. Many of these social networking sites and websites are constantly being changed and updated which creates another hurdle for the organizations that are trying to help the visually impaired. Screen readers can help, but still are not the solution to all of the problems that we face. They are unable to describe images to its users and the user has to depend on all text.

Some social networking sites have provided accommodations for their users. Facebook has an accessibility team which helps users with disabilities. Another tool that can be used for video streaming is a tool called Stop Autoplay, which provides a voice activated start and stop for audio videos for the visually impaired usres. We are still so far behind reaching our goals especially because technology is changing so quickly and the accommodations are not. Our world is becoming so dependent on the Internet, we need to move forward to create technology that is effective and user friendly for the visually impaired and other disabilities.

[|American Foundation for the Blind]

Social networking has become overwhelming popular over the last several years. People are able to meet friends and connect with people all over the world. They are able to stay connected with old friends through pictures, updates, and video’s. Social networking is very popular and is continuing to grow. Screen readers such as JAWS (Job Access With Speech) and Window Eyes allows the visually impaired to tackle many hurdles and challenges on the web, including social networking. They are able to keep up with friend’s statues, updates, and profiles, as fast as everyone!

The most difficult thing about using social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster is creating an account. They do not offer a audio version or an alternating registering site. But, once a user has had help signing onto one of these accounts, navigating is made possible. The main features—messaging, adding friends, browsing, editing, and commenting—are made accessible. It is still difficult to go through the adds, multiple links, and viewing pictures.

The AFB (American Foundation for the Blind), offers services to organizations dedicated to having accessible web sites. If social networking sites continue to remain committed to being accessible to the millions of visually impaired they will continue to help cultivate a social community for the millions of visually blind users.

[|Jaws] [|AFB Social Networking]