[program-l] Re: Comparing fruit baskets in Flash, Silverlight, and native HTML

From: "Ian Sharpe" <isforums@xxxxxxxx>
To: <program-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 15:29:56 +0100
Hi Jamal

Just taken another look at the silverlight fruit basket using NVDA and the
changes you have made in regard to labelling have worked. When I tab to the
text box NVDA now announces the label, fruit. 

I added a few fruits and then tabbed to the basket to see if the items would
be read aloud. If you use the arrow keys to move up and down the fruits are
announced but then I can't shift+tab back to the text box or add button. You
can tab out of the list to the delete button. But not back. No idea why but
thought I'd just mention it anyway.

Many thanks.
Cheers
ian   

-----Original Message-----
From: program-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:program-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jamal Mazrui
Sent: 26 May 2011 10:23
To: blindwebbers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; programmingblind; Program-l
Subject: [program-l] Comparing fruit baskets in Flash, Silverlight, and
native HTML

I have revised the Flex/Flash fruit basket program I previously did so that
the code is simpler, taking advantage of default accessibility behavior in
the Spark components of the Flex 4 framework.  The code is in the file
FruitBasket.mxml within the archive
http://EmpowermentZone.com/flex_fruit.zip

I also resolved Firefox compatibility issues, and added auto-detection of
Flash Player, with JavaScript to upgrade or install the latest Flash Player
runtime if not found.  The Flex fruit basket app may be tried at
http://EmpowermentZone.com/flex_fruit.htm

Similarly, source code and a build batch file using command-line tools is
available for a Silverlight 4 fruit basket at
http://EmpowermentZone.com/sl_fruit.zip

and the app may be tried in a browser at
http://EmpowermentZone.com/sl_fruit.htm

A few years ago, I did a fruit basket in native HTML 4 and JavaScript, which
may be tried at http://EmpowermentZone.com/js_fruit.htm

These are three different approaches to building rich Internet applications
(RIAs).  Not surprisingly, if functionality can be achieved with native HTML
controls, it tends to be more accessible with screen readers.  When
functionality requires custom JavaScript controls (AJAX widgets), however,
or controls from the Flash or Silver light plug-in, it is less clear which
approach will maximize accessibility and usability.  I hope that these
samples help one compare approaches from either a developer or user
standpoint.

I tested on Vista32 with JAWS 10 and above, the latest NVDA, and Window-Eyes
7.5, using either Internet Explorer 8 or Firefox 3.6.  I found that all
three screen readers worked with each RIA approach in either web browser.
JAWS and NVDA did not recognize the Silverlight controls in virtual browse
mode (a forms or application mode needed to be toggled on).  Those screen
readers did recognize the Flash controls, but JAWS required a refresh of its
off screen model (Insert+Escape) in order to do so.  Window-Eyes, on the
other hand, recognized both the Flash and Silverlight controls in virtual
browse mode and without a screen refresh.

Others may experience different results, and you are invited to share your
comparisons.  Please be specific about operating system, screen reader, and
web browser versions if yu do.  Of course, other issues may arise with a
more complex app.  It is my understanding that neither Orca on Linux nor
VoiceOver on the Mac currently support either Flash or Silverlight controls.

Jamal
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References:
- [program-l] Comparing fruit baskets in Flash, Silverlight, and native HTML
  - From: Jamal Mazrui
[program-l] Re: Comparing fruit baskets in Flash, Silverlight, and native HTML

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