[FW] Request for comments on IAccessibile2 accessibility standard

[Steve Lee-3]

IAccessible2 (IA2) is an Open Standard specification for an
accessibility API on Windows which allows Assistive technology (e.g
screen readers) to monitor and control GUI applications. IA2 extends
the Windows standard API, MSAA, filling significant gaps. It also
brings it closer to the Linux standard AT-SPI. Thus IA2 reduces the
workload of developers in supporting multiple platforms and allows
existing ATs to provide extend functionality without the need to
rewrite existing features. Several programs and ATs are already using
IA2 (e.g NVDA and Firefox 3).

As this is an Open Standard you are encouraged to read the attached
specification and documentation and provide feedback or comments.

See below...

--
Steve Lee
--
Open Source Assistive Technology Software
web: fullmeasure.co.uk
blog: eduspaces.net/stevelee/weblog

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pete Brunet <brunet@...>
Date: 5 Jun 2008 21:50
Subject: [Accessibility-ia2] IA2 RFC
To: Accessibility-ia2@...,
Accessibility@...,
Accessibility-atspi@...
Cc: wai-xtech@...

Please distribute the attached IA2 RFC document within your respective
organizations.  The primary change from version 1.0.1 release on
3/26/07 is a significant update to the documentation but a couple of
constants were also added.  The change log from v1.0.1 is at
http://www.linux-foundation.org/~ptbrunet/ia2/changelog.txt.
Especially please review the text at
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/~ptbrunet/ia2/docs/html/_generalinfo.html

Thanks, Pete

p.s. I used BCC for individuals as I did not know their preference for
using their email address on lists.

 Pete Brunet

 IBM Accessibility Architecture and Development
 11501 Burnet Road, MS 9022E004, Austin, TX 78758
 Voice: [phone], Cell: [phone]
 Ionosphere: WS4G

_______________________________________________
 Accessibility-ia2 mailing list
 Accessibility-ia2@...
 https://lists.linux-foundation.org/mailman/listinfo/accessibility-ia2

Request For Comments
From the Open A11y Workgroup
Linux Foundation
June 5, 2008

The Open A11y Workgroup in the Linux Foundation works to develop free and open
standards supporting comprehensive access to information and user interfaces
for persons with disabilities. Our standards process is open to interested
members of industry, developer, and consumer communities. Obtaining public
comment on our proposed standards before they are finalized is one of the most
important steps in our process. Public review helps ensure our standards are
relevant and complete.

DETAILS:

We are now requesting comment on the following specification produced by our
IAccessible2 team. This specification is expected to become a Linux Foundation
standard this year.

IAccessible2
HTML - http://www.linux-foundation.org/~ptbrunet/ia2/docs/html/
IDL - http://www.linux-foundation.org/~ptbrunet/ia2/api/

Overview

IAccessible2 is a set of Windows accessibility interface definitions which
complements Microsoft's earlier work on MSAA. The IAccessible2 interfaces fill
critical accessibility gaps in the MSAA offering.  IAccessible2 is an engineered
accessibility interface allowing application developers to leverage their
investment in MSAA while also providing an Assistive Technology (AT) access
to content in rich document applications and web browsers. The additional
function includes support for rich text, tables, spreadsheets, Web 2.0
applications, and other rich content often found in large, complex applications.

IAccessible2 is implemented by application developers to allow Assistive
Technology, such as a screen reader used by someone who is blind, access to
an application's components, e.g. a table in a word processor.  IAccessible2
has been implemented in applications such as IBM Lotus Symphony and Mozilla
Firefox 3.  It has also been implemented in the leading Windows screen readers,
e.g. JAWS from Freedom Scientific and Window-Eyes from GW Micro.  

Developers of complex applications benefit because they can provide
accessibility to complex components well beyond what is possible with MSAA.  
Application developers also benefit because screen readers already support
applications that implement IAccessible2.  IAccessible2 was a joint effort with
the leading AT vendors. These vendors saw the need for an enhancement to
MSAA and worked closely with IBM accessibility architects and engineers
during the definition and implementation of the API.

Users benefit because they have full access to complex applications such
spread sheets in IBM Lotus Symphony and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet
Applications) in Firefox 3.

It is also important to note that IAccessible2 has been harmonized with the
UNIX accessibility APIs to allow for efficient multi-platform development.
This was done through close collaboration with accessibility architects who
have intimate knowledge of the UNIX accessibility APIs.

For more information please visit the IAccessible2 web site at
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/Accessibility/IAccessible2
or equivalently
http://a11y.org/ia2

HOW TO SEND FEEDBACK:

You may respond through Bugzilla using the URI below, or by sending email to
the special RFC address below. Bugzilla is our preferred method for receiving
feedback because it automatically logs your feedback in our tracking system
without additional human intervention. If possible, only use the email method
if you have difficulty using Bugzilla. When using Bugzilla be sure to select
IAccessible2 from the list of components.

Bugzilla - http://bugs.linux-foundation.org/
email - accessibility-rfc<at>a11y.org

REVIEW TIME PERIOD:

Please provide your comments on these draft specifications no later than
midnight, 24:00 UTC, Monday, June 30, 2008.

Please feel free to forward this announcement wherever you deem appropriate.

On behalf of Open A11y, and especially the IAccessible2 team, we thank you for
your assistance.

Pete Brunet, IAccessible2 Team Chair
brunet<at>us.ibm.com

Janina Sajka, Open A11y Chair
janina<at>a11y.Org