Comments on: Google Shutting out the Blind? http://www.accessibilityblog.com/2005/07/09/google-shutting-out-the-blind/ Raising the awareness of Web Site Accessibility and Marketing. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:26:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Dr. Richard http://www.accessibilityblog.com/2005/07/09/google-shutting-out-the-blind/#comment-285167 Dr. Richard Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:06:50 +0000 http://www.accessibilityblog.com/?p=40#comment-285167 I often find myself staring at these captchas and wondering how to read them. Fortunately most sites are offering audio readback as well these days. <a href="http://www.infinite42.com/google-alternatives">Google is probably offering some other alternatives too </a> now. I often find myself staring at these captchas and wondering how to read them. Fortunately most sites are offering audio readback as well these days. Google is probably offering some other alternatives too now.

]]> By: Matt Bailey http://www.accessibilityblog.com/2005/07/09/google-shutting-out-the-blind/#comment-7 Matt Bailey Tue, 12 Jul 2005 14:53:35 +0000 http://www.accessibilityblog.com/?p=40#comment-7 According to Jacob Nielson, there needs to be multiple methods for allowing access. Simply playing a MP3 file would not be enough, as the combinations of letters and numbers are not in any logical order, the file would have to be replayed multiple times to get all of the information. CNET did a test on the Hotmail sign up, which provides a sound file as an alternative. However, it was so garbled to prevent automated translation that the CNET reporters couldn’t understand it. Most alternatives, at this point, still limit access to groups of people. The main issue is that visual-only methods create problems. It will be interesting to see the resolution that Google comes up with, as that will most likely be the most-publicized method. Many other sites will have to quickly follow suit, as this problem is gaining increased exposure. According to Jacob Nielson, there needs to be multiple methods for allowing access. Simply playing a MP3 file would not be enough, as the combinations of letters and numbers are not in any logical order, the file would have to be replayed multiple times to get all of the information. CNET did a test on the Hotmail sign up, which provides a sound file as an alternative. However, it was so garbled to prevent automated translation that the CNET reporters couldn’t understand it. Most alternatives, at this point, still limit access to groups of people. The main issue is that visual-only methods create problems.

It will be interesting to see the resolution that Google comes up with, as that will most likely be the most-publicized method. Many other sites will have to quickly follow suit, as this problem is gaining increased exposure.

]]> By: Bruno Girin http://www.accessibilityblog.com/2005/07/09/google-shutting-out-the-blind/#comment-6 Bruno Girin Mon, 11 Jul 2005 13:16:11 +0000 http://www.accessibilityblog.com/?p=40#comment-6 I saw a variation on this over the week-end where you are offered, as an alternative, to download an MP3 of the letters and digits spelt out. But the question is: what mechanisms can you use to prevent automated processes to register while making said process accessible? I saw a variation on this over the week-end where you are offered, as an alternative, to download an MP3 of the letters and digits spelt out. But the question is: what mechanisms can you use to prevent automated processes to register while making said process accessible?

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