John O'Conner's Blog: Accessibility Archives

They do great work over there on the java.sun.com editorial team, and they've been improving the site with lots of videos lately. The last three featured content pieces have been videos. That's excellent work, but it's inaccessible for a couple reasons.

First, I like to hit java.sun.com first thing in the day from my workplace. That's been a cubicle environment recently. I can quietly read a text article, even print it and read it later during a lunch break. Unfortunately, I can't do the same with the videos. They're fun, sure, but unwatchable because video and audio are distracting to others in the office. Bandwidth issues aside...people just don't like to hear this from another cube. I understand that, so I don't intrude on their peace and quiet. Unfortunately, the video is inaccessible to me. And when I get home, well, there's a better than even chance that I won't watch a tech video then either.

Second, the videos are inaccessible to those with hearing or sight impairments. Seems obvious, right? Can't hear...the audio isn't usable. Can't see...can't watch the video either. I suppose you could listen to the video -- but not in my cube. So, the videos are inaccessible to others too. Granted, those who can't benefit from the videos are a small minority. Still, wouldn't it be nice to include them as far as possible?

I think a solution is possible. Video is a great idea for java.sun.com, and clearly the medium is popular. Just witness the popularity of YouTube, etc. I think the videos could be improved though with something very simple. Transcripts.

Providing a transcript with the video would allow cubicle dwellers access to the content. The same transcript makes the content accessible to hearing and site impaired developers too. Can't hear -- you can read the transcript content. Can't see? Text readers exist for that case. Either way, the videos become more accessible to a larger group of people.

Is this a complaint? No way. I enjoy practically all of the content provided by java.sun.com. This is just a friendly suggestion, hoping that it will bring the content to an even wider audience.

It has been a long, long time since I last worked in a cubical environment. I find the experience undesirable but tolerable. It makes me curious though...just how many of us work in a cube environment? Might be a great polling opportunity for the java.net editors...

JavaOne Tokyo '05: A Note on Accessibility

Posted by joconner on November 08, 2005 at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

On a recent trip to the restroom at the Tokyo International Forum, I was reminded about accessibility. Having been trained well (thanks Mom!), I always wash my hands after visiting the restroom for any reason. However, doing so in a public restroom is almost always frustrating because...well, I'm short and when I reach up to grab a paper towel, the water runs down my arms. No luck with air dryers either; in the US they're often just as high on the wall as the towel dispensers. However, I was pleasantly surprised, almost tickled even, to find an accessible hand dryer in Tokyo. It was low enough on the wall that I could just reach down to use it. Here's a front, side, and top shot of my discovery.

Front

Side

Top

Just extend your hands down into the slot, the warm air begins to blow, and you move your hands up and down in the air to completely dry them. Nice. And no wet elbows or armpits, yeck. That's the way to make and to place a hand dryer...accessible and usable.

This experience made me think about the Java platform's accessibility efforts. The accessibility spec has been available since when, 1.3? This API provides mechanisms to make your applications easier to use for people with certain disabilities. The APIs help other assistive technologies like screen or text readers work better with Java applications. Navigational features help people get around your application in a variety of ways. It's a good thing, and probably should get more attention. I don't know if anything new in the accessibility area will reveal itself here at the conference or not, but maybe it should in the future. If you know of anything here at the conference, please let me know.

I suddenly have a new interest in Java's assistive technologies. If you're interested too, these URLs will help you get started:

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