Progress Toward Access: A Review of AOL 9
By Weichbrodt, Jerry; Access World, Vol. 5, No. 1Publication Date: January 2004
Article evaluates the accessibility of AOL 9.0 for people who are blind or have low vision who use screen readers. The author uses JAWS for Windows 5.0 screen reader software in the evaluation. Accessibility features are evaluated relative to the following six criteria: (1) getting started, (2) getting help, (3) the AOL screens, (4) AOL features, (5) web browsing, and (6) instant messaging. The author contends that a number of people who are blind or have low vision can use AOL with reasonable success, especially for e-mail, instant messaging, and web browsing. A few problems arose, however, in that some links and buttons could not be interpreted by screen reader software. The accessibility staff at AOL is committed to transforming the service into a friendlier place for people with disabilities, so positive changes are expected in the future.
Assistive Products Discussed: JAWS FOR WINDOWS
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050105
