Accessibility Zone

Here you will find computer based tutorials, technologies, toys, games and gadgets for the blind and visually impaired, such as the Creative Zenstone mp3 player.

Tutorials.

Note: These can be directly accessed by using the Tutorials link, listed in the Main Menu.

Internet Surfing with JAWS for Windows

This 5 part tutorial will get you up and going online with Freedom Scientific's JAWS for Windows screen reader. We'll learn how to navigate and access specific areas of a Web page. We'll also cover some of the functions of your screen reader that will totally enhance your Internet surfing experience. then we'll dive right into Web browsing using a search engine so you can find the many treasures the internet has to offer.
This is an interactive tutorial designed to use the concepts you learn as we go. Internet Surfing with JAWS tutorial

JAWS Speach Manager

Take advantage of the JAWS Speech Manager. This easy to use JAWS feature will identify different font attributes and page elements by altering the JAWS reading voice and automatically announcing colour changes for you.
In this tutorial you will learn how to customize your own JAWS Speech schemes and how to activate the JAWS Speech Manager on the fly, with one single keystroke.
JAWS Speech Manager Tutorial

Deeper into JAWS funtionality - keystrokes, tips and tricks.

Use this tutorial as a resource for some essential JAWS keystrokes.
Follow the step by step instructions to get more out of your screen reader including:
The JAWS cursor, changing JAWS typing echo mode, font type and colour describer + more.
Deeper into JAWS tutorial.

Outlook Calendar with JAWS.

After searching high and low for an accessible scheduling calendar. I finally found it. It was right in front of us the whole time. Within the MS Office Suite of programs, MS Outlook features a complete scheduling calendar. Learn how to set appointments, meetings and events. you'll never need to buy a calendar again. JAWS for Windows screen reader users can learn how to use the Outlook Calendar with this step by step tutorial.
MS Outlook Calendar with JAWS tutorial

Excel and JAWS tutorial.

learn how to navigate and create basic and functional Microsoft Excel tables using JAWS for Windows screen reader.
Use this tutorial as a reference for Excel functions and concepts OR folow the learning exercises to build your own table from the ground up.
JAWS with Excel made easy! This tutorial also offers a free Excel budget template.
MS Excel with JAWS tutorial

Editing with Windows from the keyboard.

learn the basics of selecting, cutting , copying, pasting, and deleting text, files, and folders.
This tutorial briefly explains the concepts, lists the essential keystrokes and Offers invaluable information for anyone using a computer, while covering essential tips and tricks for JAWS for Windows and Window-Eyes screen reader users.
Editing with Windows from the keyboard tutorial.

Creating hyper links in MS Word

  • Learn how to create hyper links to: other places in a Word document, other files and documents, or Web pages.

    This step by step tutorial will have you creating interactive MS Word documents in no time.

    Creating hyper links with MS Word tutorial

    Hot Programs and Utilities

    Facebook and the Blind?

    Of course it's true and it's come a long way too.
    Here is a recent post I made to the American Foundation for the blind (AFB) about the topic of Facebook. (I spell checked the post, and added some pertinatnt links here.
    I am blind and use FaceBook. The accessibility of the FaceBook interface has improved since I joined the Book. For the person who wondered what the purpose of FaceBook would be for the blind and visually impaired since they "can't see pictures" etc. This is a valid question with promising answers: Facebook is more than just sharing pictures. It is a fun way to communicate with others and keep in touch with new friends and touch base with old friends. Sure, each person on Facebook can post and share pictures but that is just a part of Facebook. You can send and receive messages like you can with email. You can also send and receive event invitations to a wide variety of events to many people at once. With Facebook you can also join several groups that might interest you some are silly and some are more serious in nature.
    If you are out of town or even in the comfort of the glow of your home computer, you can keep up with how your friends are doing and read their status updates to find out how they are feeling or what they are planning etc.
    It is amazing how many people you will find on Facebook and, how many people will be able to find you and say "hello oold friend". The Facebook interface is not perfect for the blind user but it is navigable and with some improvements it will be more enjoyable for everyone. Facebook developpers are likely aware of the Web Accessibility guidelines layed out by The World Wide Web Consortium and many other references to making the Web accessible for all. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it is now possible for a blind person to register for Facebook without sighted help. It was so close before, until that is, you arrived at the part in the registration where you had to input the characters hidden within a scrambled image. Since these characters were image based it was impossible for a screen reader, which relies on straight text, to identify the image. The audio capcha alternative is definitley an improvement and will allow blind and visually impaired computer users to independantly register for the Book. The audio capcha sound, however, is crappy. I don't know why Facebook has to make the audio so garbled, and thus, difficult to hear. I don't think the audio characters need to be almost scrambled like the visual version. I mean, the point of this registration feature is so that automated Web bots can't go sign up a million accounts. In other words, a real life person has to jump through the "identify the characters in the scrambled image" hoop, or, "identify the characters being spoken in the audio captcha".

    Audio Capcha.

    Visit the official captcha site for more informaition about audio captcha, what it is and how it works. For a video explanation of audio capcha with a live example watch the brilliant audio capcha demo on YouTube.

    Accessible FTP Client for the blind.

    So you're blind and want an accessible FTP client?
    Internet Explorer is all you need.
    What? That's it!? yes, forget about CuteFTP, WSFTP etc. All you need is IE.
    Just open Internet Explorer and in the address bar type "ftp://" followed by your URL.
    for example, "ftp://StacyBleeks.com". You will then be presented with 2 edit boxes. In the first box, simply type your server login name.
    Press Tab, and in the second box type your server password.
    Now you're in there like swimmwear! A list box will appear where you can paste your Web files to be uploaded for the whole world wide web to see.

    Screen readers and the Informaition bar.

    If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Internet Explorer may block some Web content. Most often this includes pop-up windows or active content, such as preloaded sounds or downloads. When Internet Explorer blocks content, you hear a sound and a message appears on the Information Bar. The Information Bar is located below the address bar and provides information about downloads, blocked pop-up windows, and other activities. This helps you avoid potentially harmful files that you might otherwise download from the Internet.

    To move to and read the Information Bar, press ALT+N.
    If you trust the Web site, you will probably want to enable the blocked action. You can then press the SPACEBAR to open the Information Bar menu so you can allow Internet Explorer to display the content.
    Press Tab and enable the checkbox with the Spacebar. To hide the Information Bar and return to the page you were viewing, press ESC.

    Autosizer is a must!

    Autosizer will automatically maximize applications for you.
    Screen readers, such as JAWS for Windows and WindowEyes, work best when the screen is maximized. Blind and visually impaired computer users might wonder why, although an application is open, it is not reading or behaving properly.
    Often times this is due to the fact that the application screen has not been maximized.
    Let the Autosizer utility, by South Bay Software, automatically maximize the screen for you so that you never have to wonder if the screen is maximized again.

    Download and instal Autosizer here Install Autosizer now! A dielogue box will open where you can run the installation wizard. This small program runs in the background and will ensure that MS Word, Internet Explorer, Outlook and any other application you set will be maximized. It's a must have program for screen reader users and once it's installed you won't have to worry about it again.

    Technology.

    Creative Xenstone mp3 player

    The Creative Zenstone 1 GB mp3 player is the best portable mp3 player for the blind or visually impaired. It is an easy to use drag and drop player perfect for music and audio books. It is USB 2.0 with 1 GB of storage space. Another bonus with this player is that it is only about $40 at your local box store. Note: Only the 1 GB model is accessible. The Creative Zenstone models with more storage space have a screen and many menus to navigate which will only lead you back to the store for the 1 GB model. click here For more informaition about the Creative Zenstone

    System Access Mobiel screen reader

    Formerly the Freedom Box screen reader, System Access Mobiel, SAM, is a portable USB based screen reader by Serotek. You can carry your screen reder with you wherever you go with the System access Mobiel USB key. Just plug it into any Windows based computer and it loads itself and begins screen reading.
    With no need to download or install the application, SAM is perfect for blind and visually impaired computer users on the go. It mirrors most of the JAWS for Windows Keystrokes and although not quite as robust as JAWS or Window-Eyes, it does have some unique features of it's own at about half the price.

    Digital Multitrack recording with CakeTalking for Sonar.

    If you are blind or visually impaired, and want to record digital multi-track audio,, look no further than CakeTalking for Sonar brought to you by Dancing Dots. For a sample of some music recorded using CakeTalking with Sonar, check Stacy's Audio Zone.

    Games.

    All in Play.

    For online playing cards: All in Play is the game!
    Interactive and accessible online Poker, texas Holdem, and Crazy Eights are found here AllInPlay.com
    With great sound effects and easy instructions to have you up and playing in no time AllInPlay also lets you chat with other players from around the world while you play. It's so good but watch out, it's adddictive.