Difference between revisions of "User talk:Capstan Clift"
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* your name goes here. | * your name goes here. | ||
== You've Got to be Kidding! == | == You've Got to be Kidding! == | ||
This is generally the thought that crosses a person's mind when the idea of blind users participating in virtual worlds is first encountered. The very notion seems preposterous. Virtual worlds are intensely visual by nature, how can it ever be possible for a blind person to operate in them? As one continues to think about the problem, however, | This is generally the thought that crosses a person's mind when the idea of blind users participating in virtual worlds is first encountered. The very notion seems preposterous. Virtual worlds are intensely visual by nature, how can it ever be possible for a blind person to operate in them? As one continues to think about the problem, however, endless possibilities begin to present themselves. In many ways it is not so different from ordinary GUI and web applications, and please be assured that we have a good understanding about how to enable blind users to interact with them very effectively. The basic trick involves the use of an assistive technology called a [http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp screen reader]. Applications which are [http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178443(VS.80).aspx suitably enabled] can give the screen reader access to textual information about all the GUI widgets, and applications which are appropriately designed allow blind users to navigate them by means of the keyboard alone. Extending this technique to virtual worlds applications is very challenging, of course, but it is entirely doable. | ||
Revision as of 13:20, 1 January 2008
Accessibility for the Blind in Second Life
Linden Labs has established an Architecture Working Groupto help steer development over the next two years. The AWG has Viewpoint Advocacy subgroups which focus on particular issues. This page is the draft document of a Viewpoint Advocacy for enabling blind users in Second Life.
Stakeholders
I am assembling a list of stakeholders, please feel free to join.
- Bill Carter - IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center
- your name goes here.
You've Got to be Kidding!
This is generally the thought that crosses a person's mind when the idea of blind users participating in virtual worlds is first encountered. The very notion seems preposterous. Virtual worlds are intensely visual by nature, how can it ever be possible for a blind person to operate in them? As one continues to think about the problem, however, endless possibilities begin to present themselves. In many ways it is not so different from ordinary GUI and web applications, and please be assured that we have a good understanding about how to enable blind users to interact with them very effectively. The basic trick involves the use of an assistive technology called a screen reader. Applications which are suitably enabled can give the screen reader access to textual information about all the GUI widgets, and applications which are appropriately designed allow blind users to navigate them by means of the keyboard alone. Extending this technique to virtual worlds applications is very challenging, of course, but it is entirely doable.