[accessibleimage] Re: How does blind users access graphical information as charts (flowcharts, organisation chart)

Lydia, a blind user wants the same information from flow charts as a sighted
person.  As you recognize, the word descriptions on the web are not always
adequate.  Some blind people who are skilled at reading tactile diagrams
would like a tactile copy with the text converted to braille.  Typically a
diagram needs to be about 10 times larger in area to be readable tactually.
Some diagrams then become quite accessible, but very complex diagrams can be
really difficult to read with fingers alone.  The "audio/touch" method can
be used to make flow diagrams accessible to those many blind people (and to
many sighted people with dyslexia and other severe print disabilities).
Well-made audio/touch diagrams can contain additional information that help
make those very complex diagrams accessible too.  
 
There are several audio/touch products on the market.  ViewPlus (my company)
makes the full technology needed for audio/touch.  A blind user can use the
ViewPlus IVEO Creator application to import a flow diagram from the web,
paper copy, or any electronic file, and create an accessible IVEO SVG
version.  This image can then be printed to a ViewPlus embosser to create a
tactile version, and it is then placed on a ViewPlus touchpad to read.  When
text is touched, it speaks.  Since one doesn't need to convert to braille,
that 10 times copy size isn't necessary.  For most diagrams, the audio
feedback and the tactile layout of a standard size flow diagram is quite
accessible.  However if a bigger one is needed, SVG lets one zoom and make
bigger copies.
 
Does this help?
 
  _____  

From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lydia De
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 3:41 AM
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] How does blind users access graphical information
as charts (flowcharts, organisation chart)


Does anyone can guide me. I am new in this mailing list and have few
questions and hope to find some answers with you.
How does blind user access graphical information like flow charts,
organisation charts?
What are the most common methods and tools used?
Does it allow a blind user to have the same experience as sighted users?
What does a blind user think of the accessibility of this kind of graphics
on the web?
Do they have some ideas of what they would like to see happen?
When accessing a flowchart or organisation chart, what kind of information
are they interested in?
I have read a lot on accessibility but didn't find much on graphics (charts)
accessibility except providing text alternatives or long descriptions, but
Is it enough to make charts accessible, some are very long to describe, is
there anything else that exist?
What kind of information do I need to describe?
If I want to check that my complex chart is accessible to a blind person,
what kind of method do I need to use?
Thanks
Lydia

  _____  

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