4 ms·

I don't know if this would even be possible but, since you're a programmer and all, it would be cool if you built a small webapp/task-based game for people who

I don't know if this would even be possible but, since you're a programmer and all, it would be cool if you built a small webapp/task-based game for people who aren't vision-impaired to try to navigate and experience the frustrations you experience every day. A gallery full of mystery photos, random buttons that needed to be clicked a weirdly specific way or don't work at all.

oliveremberton 7y ago
We wrote a free screen reader simulator for this purpose (Chrome plugin): https://silktide.com/resources/toolbar https://silktide.com/resources/toolbar It’s not a substitute for real-world testing, but it should help you appreciate the basics without having to learn a full screen reader. We’re also working on some accessibility games right now (scores challenges for you to complete in a browser with a simulated disability), which sound a lot like what you’re suggesting.
- carlmr 7y ago
  I was surprised to find myopia here. Is there a level of myopia that can't be corrected with glasses and thus is a disability?
  - oliveremberton 7y ago
    Pathological myopia can't be corrected with glasses. TBH we call it "myopia" in the plugin because it's short and what we think most users would understand. Many visual disabilities cause a similar blurring effect, such as cataracts.
- SquareWheel 7y ago
  This is great. Until now I've been using ChromeVox, but found it quite difficult to use. Many esoteric keyboard shortcuts, some of which conflict with other browser functionality. Toolbar seems a lot easier to to use for sighted developers. Less of a learning curve. Oddly M doesn't seem to jump to the main content for me. I wonder if I've done something wrong. I'm going to play with it. Thanks for developing this!
Firerouge 7y ago
Just install a screen reader and close your eyes.
- elliekelly 7y ago
  Cool, I didn't even know that was a thing I could do. I suppose I imagined screen readers as some sort of expensive software.
  - wccrawford 7y ago
    The open source ones are basically as good as the for-pay ones at this point.
- kls 7y ago
  Yep when I was doing accessibility dev, that was exactly how I tested. It's pretty effective and it also gives you a feel for how crappy the tools are for the blind.
  - sterlind 7y ago
    what is the learning curve like for screen readers? ...and what form does documentation come in? I'd like to learn but not sure where to get started.
    - oliveremberton 7y ago
      You can figure out the basics in about 20-60 minutes. If you use a Mac, just enable VoiceOver: https://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/_1121.html https://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/_1121.html If you use Windows, I suggest NVDA - it's a free screen reader that's similar to the most-popular-but-expensive one (JAWS): https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ IMHO the best screen readers are on your phone / tablet. This might sound crazy (how can a touchscreen work when you can't see it?) but they're much better designed than their desktop equivalents. Mobile software tends to be simpler, resulting in a better experience: iOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDm7GiKra28 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDm7GiKra28 Android: https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6007100 https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6007... If you work in web tech and take 1-2 hours to learn one of these you'll be able to dazzle others with it for the rest of your life.

oliveremberton 7y ago

We wrote a free screen reader simulator for this purpose (Chrome plugin): https://silktide.com/resources/toolbar https://silktide.com/resources/toolbar It’s not a substitute for real-world testing, but it should help you appreciate the basics without having to learn a full screen reader. We’re also working on some accessibility games right now (scores challenges for you to complete in a browser with a simulated disability), which sound a lot like what you’re suggesting.

carlmr 7y ago
I was surprised to find myopia here. Is there a level of myopia that can't be corrected with glasses and thus is a disability?
- oliveremberton 7y ago
  Pathological myopia can't be corrected with glasses. TBH we call it "myopia" in the plugin because it's short and what we think most users would understand. Many visual disabilities cause a similar blurring effect, such as cataracts.
SquareWheel 7y ago
This is great. Until now I've been using ChromeVox, but found it quite difficult to use. Many esoteric keyboard shortcuts, some of which conflict with other browser functionality. Toolbar seems a lot easier to to use for sighted developers. Less of a learning curve. Oddly M doesn't seem to jump to the main content for me. I wonder if I've done something wrong. I'm going to play with it. Thanks for developing this!

Firerouge 7y ago

Just install a screen reader and close your eyes.

elliekelly 7y ago
Cool, I didn't even know that was a thing I could do. I suppose I imagined screen readers as some sort of expensive software.
- wccrawford 7y ago
  The open source ones are basically as good as the for-pay ones at this point.
kls 7y ago
Yep when I was doing accessibility dev, that was exactly how I tested. It's pretty effective and it also gives you a feel for how crappy the tools are for the blind.
- sterlind 7y ago
  what is the learning curve like for screen readers? ...and what form does documentation come in? I'd like to learn but not sure where to get started.
  - oliveremberton 7y ago
    You can figure out the basics in about 20-60 minutes. If you use a Mac, just enable VoiceOver: https://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/_1121.html https://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/_1121.html If you use Windows, I suggest NVDA - it's a free screen reader that's similar to the most-popular-but-expensive one (JAWS): https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ IMHO the best screen readers are on your phone / tablet. This might sound crazy (how can a touchscreen work when you can't see it?) but they're much better designed than their desktop equivalents. Mobile software tends to be simpler, resulting in a better experience: iOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDm7GiKra28 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDm7GiKra28 Android: https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6007100 https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6007... If you work in web tech and take 1-2 hours to learn one of these you'll be able to dazzle others with it for the rest of your life.