One of the ideas I have been toying with for the java screen reader (either we4java or jac) is providing a set of runtime annotations which could be used to enhance an application's accessibility by allowing the app developer to put in self voicing annotations. There are differing schools of thought on self voicing. Some say it is good because the developer knows the app best and where self voicing would be helpful. On the other hand, putting in self voicing without providing the user a way of controling it or turning off certain levels of it, takes away from the user's control over the accessibility feedback. If we put self voicing annotations into the java screen reader, a developer could add them in if desired but the base screen reader code base would still have control and could provide a common mechanism for allowing the user to adjust the self voicing feedback. ----- Original Message ----- From: Ken Perry To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 5:20 PM Subject: RE: Why isn't Open Office on Windows Accessible? I agree with Chris H.'s answer but I want to point out it's our fault it's not already accessible. I wrote a simple talking java screen reader that did very little but it made it so I could use Open Office. Crappily but the buttons talked and all and I did this in like 200 lines of code. I know that code got passed around and I have since lost my copy but it can be done by replacing the access bridge with self voicing code. It just takes someone actually doing it. I am interested to see where Open Office goes now that it is Oricals. I am worried about all Java stuff now that Orical is trying to Sew Google into stopping Android. It's a crazy world. Ken From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kerneels Roos Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 3:30 AM To: programmingblind Subject: Why isn't Open Office on Windows Accessible? Hi List, Sorry if this question has been raised before and dealt with. Does anyone know exactly why the Windows version of Open Office is only partly accessible with a screen reader, while the Linux version is streets ahead? Because Open Office is written in Java I assume the code base is 98% identical across platforms. Is the problem mainly with the JAB (Java Access Bridge) or with the screen readers themselves? Could the JAB not be open sourced so it can be updated to bridge Java, MSAA, UIA and any other access middle ware standard? NVDA works the best with Open Office, so I would assume it makes the best use of the JAB. Is there other Java to access technology middle ware in common use today? I can remember a really long thread that in part had some info on Java accessibility, but I just can't justify going through all that to possibly find out more. Keep well -- Kerneels Roos Cell/SMS: +27 (0)82 309 1998 Skype: cornelis.roos The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!