Access Matters

We have a hack for JAWS. Should we use it? Is it useful beyond JAWS?

This test builds upon Simple AJAX Test #1 by extending it with a “hacK” to better support screen readers. It uses Gez Lemon and Steve Faulkner’s updateBuffer technique as published in their article “Improving AJAX applications for JAWS users.” Is it only for JAWS, or will it make a difference for others too?
This link is […]

Test an incredibly simple AJAX application with your screen reader or assistive technology.

Three articles came to light in “Today’s AJAX and DHTML Best Practices.” Two of the articles went to some length to find ways to move focus as part of an AJAX event. They sought to take the visitor from the trigger event to the results in one smooth, easy move. For those of […]

As AJAX has risen, we have also read frequently that it’s not very accessible. We have a few choices: Shrug, don’t worry about it, and let people with disabilities cope with the current state of affairs. Accept the pronouncements that it’s not accessible and go back to our pre-AJAX methods (and let the world pass us by). Or, learn why some AJAX techniques are not accessible how we might make progress. If you’re interested in the third choice, keep reading.