The Right (or Required) Tool for the Job: Microsoft Developer Tools and Screen Readers
By Earl, Christa L.; Access World, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 36-49Publication Date: July 2000
Article on developer tools used by computer programmers and their compatibility with screen readers. The article focuses on Microsoft Visual Studio, which consists of Visual Basic 6.0 Professional, Visual C Plus Plus 6.0, and Visual FoxPro 6.0. Each tool has its own environment and programming language, but one characteristic shared by all versions is that the screen arrangements have many windows displayed at once. This makes it easy for a user with good eye hand coordination to drag items from place to place, but the busy screen layout would seem like a hostile environment to a screen reader user. JAWS for Windows, Window-Eyes, and Window Bridge can be used with all programming tools. For an experienced programmer, using these applications is doable, but it will prove to be difficult for the novice programmer. The author recommends web sites that may facilitate the learning process.
Assistive Products Discussed: WINDOW-EYES PROFESSIONAL
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
WINDOW BRIDGE 2000
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/aw/AW0104toc.asp
