#26365
This paper outlines the requirements for console accessibility in Microsoft Windows XP.
Microsoft (2001). Design>Accessibility>Software
#25970
This white paper is intended to show how the console Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) can be used to programmatically access information about the console and applications running under the console in Windows XP.
Microsoft (2001). Articles>User Interface>Accessibility>Microsoft Windows
#26106
Converting Documents from Microsoft Word to OOoWriter
I'm happy to report that OpenOffice.org 1.1.0 does a very good job of converting Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP files to OOo files -- much better than the previous releases I tested. Most of the problems I had noticed with conversions done by OOo1.0.2 did not appear when I converted the same Word files using OOo1.1.0. Some conversion problems remain. Most of these are probably due to OOoWriter not having any counterpart to some features of Word.
OpenOffice.org (2004). Articles>Word Processing>Software>OpenOffice
#19442
Copyright and Persons with Print Disabilities in the Digital Age
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) stands squarely in favor of reasonable and prudent technologies to assist in ensuring that copyright holders are fairly compensated for the sale, or other forms of digital access, of the content they publish in digital formats. However,most proposals we have seen to date purporting to establish technologies to prevent illegal copying or publication of copyrighted content simply do not consider, or address in any way, the fair use rights of persons who are blind and visually impaired. We would regard it a serious breach of faith with disabled persons to establish new technologies and copyright provisions which, once again, regard our needs as peripheral and expendable. To this end we offer the following positions on this issue of fundamental importance to this community.
American Foundation for the Blind (2002). Articles>Intellectual Property>Accessibility>Visual
#23450
Core Competencies for Technical Communicators
There are core competencies and enabling competencies. The competency areas are Core Competencies, which distinguish a particular field from other fields. Enabling Competencies do not distinguish the field but are still required for its success.
Rainey, Kenneth T. TC-FORUM (2001). Articles>TC>Professionalism
#19643
Could Helen Keller Read Your Page?
The 'line-at-a-time' approach of screen-reader software complicates navigation on text lines that contain multiple hyperlinks (such as navigation bars). Thus, in an ideal world, accommodating visually impaired readers would move an author to place each link on its own separate line. But individual lines for each link can make for long scrolling pages, which, in turn, compromises navigation speed for sighted readers.
Sullivan, Terry and Krystyn Manning. All Things Web (1997). Design>Web Design>Accessibility
#25972
Create More Accessible UI with Dynamic Annotation
This article discusses dynamic annotation (DA), a feature that allows developers to improve the accessibility of their user interface.
Microsoft (2000). Design>User Interface>Accessibility
#27217
Creating a Macro With No Programming Experience Using the Recorder
Word's macro recorder can help you acquaint yourself with macros and with Office 97's VBA programming language.
Coan, Bill. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Programming>Microsoft Word
#27195
Creating a Mail Merge Data Source
Microsoft Word supports many file formats which can be used as a Data Source for a mail merge. This article covers specifications and frequently asked questions on the most commonly used Data Sources, along with how to set up a Data Source in Word.
Melton, Beth. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Databases>Microsoft Word
#27200
This article tells you how to create a template to produce a software manual.
McGhie, John. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Software>Microsoft Word
#28677
Creating a Universal Usability Agenda
How do you keep usability, accessibility, and user experience requirements on track while developing standards? It is part of the very nature of standards to focus on details--and in the process, to sometimes lose sight of the real goals. This is especially true when a standards-making process goes on for a long time, a situation is highly political, or most people are focused on technology issues.
Quesenbery, Whitney. UXmatters (2006). Articles>Usability>Accessibility>Universal Usability
#22958
Creating Accessible Cascading Style Sheets
For years, the only way to format HTML in a visually appealing way was to use tables, even though tables were originally created to display tabular data. As the Web evolved and became more sophisticated, designers wanted to do more than just display text, they wanted to emulate printed documents. They wanted to make an artistic statement. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, tables can be used for layout without ruining the accessibility of a Web site. Yes, it's ok to use tables for layout. Still, you can take your Web design to a higher level by eliminating tables entirely. The way to do this is through CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).
Bohman, Paul. WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>CSS
#22992
Macromedia Flash is a vector-based, interactive animation creation program designed to enable the addition of dynamic characters, scenes, interfaces and motion graphics animations to Web sites. Macromedia Flash materials are created using the Flash authoring program, the most recent version of which is Flash MX.
WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>Flash
#22959
When we talk about the accessibility of forms, we are usually referring about their accessibility to screen readers and the visually impaired. People with other types of disabilities generally are less affected by 'faulty' forms that are missing some of the HTML accessibility features.
WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>Forms
#22960
A frameset is a Web page which defines a collection of at least two other separate Web pages, which are combined in the same visual space. Visual users usually experience framesets as a cohesive entity. They can scan the contents of multiple pages all at once. Those using screen readers cannot quickly scan the contents of multiple pages. All of the content is experienced in a linear fashion, one frame at a time. Frames are not inaccessible to modern screen readers, but they can be disorienting.
WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility
#22961
Some people think that graphics are bad for accessibility. The truth is that graphics can be of great benefit to the accessibility of a Web page by providing illustrations, icons, animations, or other visual cues that aid comprehension for sighted individuals. Too often we forget that when we design for people with disabilities, we are not designing only for the blind. We must consider disabilities of all types. Graphics can be especially useful to individuals with certain reading disabilities, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, or cognitive disabilities.
WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility
#22962
Creating Accessible JavaScript
JavaScript is available on the Web to allow programming type processes that are not allowed with static HTML. In most cases, JavaScript does not overtly affect accessibility. Most browsers and screen readers are capable of accessing JavaScript items. You should, however, teach that many people cannot or choose not to allow JavaScript within their Web browsers or assistive technologies. Important content or functionality should not rely on JavaScript alone. JavaScript should usually be used to supplement content.
WebAIM (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>DHTML
#22956
In practice, tables are perhaps most commonly used for page layout. Layout tables do not have logical headers that can be mapped to information within the table cells.
WebAIM (2005). Design>Web Design>Accessibility
#26110
Creating and Using Master Documents in OOoWriter 1.1
This page is an excerpt from Taming OpenOffice.org Writer (no longer available). A variation of this material is in OpenOffice.org Writer: The Free Alternative to Microsoft Word. Yes, master documents do work in OpenOffice.org Writer. However, you need to have a very disciplined approach to make sure they work correctly and reliably.
OpenOffice.org (2004). Articles>Word Processing>Software>OpenOffice
#22987
Creating Captions Using MAGpie 2.0
MAGpie allows the captioning of Web audio and video content for use in QuickTime, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Player.
WebAIM (2004). Resources>Software>Accessibility>Video
#26107
Creating Cross-References Between Documents
I've now discovered that you can indeed do cross-references between documents, if they are both subdocuments of a master document. The method is obscure, and the help file (although giving a clue) wasn't much help.
OpenOffice.org (2004). Articles>Word Processing>Software>OpenOffice
#26366
Creating Text Equivalents for Images
This article is for developers and content editors seeking to supplement the visual elements of a user interface with text equivalents. This article describes what text equivalents are, why they are required, how to create them, and the best approach to writing and editing them.
Microsoft (2002). Articles>Accessibility>Software
#25971
Creating Text Equivalents for Images
This article is for developers and content editors seeking to supplement the visual elements of a user interface with text equivalents. This article describes what text equivalents are, why they are required, how to create them, and the best approach to writing and editing them.
Microsoft (2002). Design>User Interface>Accessibility>Visual
#25069
Criticizing Our Colleagues: Tough, But Kind 
I’m not used to writing editorials, but lately I’ve heard complaints from more than a few usability professionals about reviews of their work that were snide, hostile, and lacking in reasonable suggestions and this has moved me to speak out. These complaints deal with a primary activity of our profession: constructive criticism. We are often asked to uncover potential problems with products and processes and recommend design changes that could improve usability – using a tone that is firm and constructive. We are also asked to provide feedback to our usability colleagues in book, proposal, and presentation reviews. I have become concerned that feedback among usability professionals is not always as constructive as the feedback we routinely present to our clients. With the recent introduction of the UPA Code of Conduct, hostile reviews of the work of colleagues could be considered an ethical violation. More about that later.
Wilson, Chauncey E. Usability Professionals Association (2004). Articles>Usability>Professionalism
#13595
The purpose of this study is to find out how English speaking computers causes the inconvenience of the non- English speaking users, especially Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Because these oriental scripts are based on ancient Chinese ideographic characters. I want to explore the language and culture differences of the these countries which may be critical factors in determining how software tools can best accommodate different user groups at the U. of Minnesota. I hope, by conducting this research, I can gain insights into appropriateness of certain interaction technologies indifferent cultural environments.
McDowell, Earl E. and Pi-hai Sun. STC Proceedings (1994). Design>User Interface>Accessibility>International
