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Open Source Accessibility

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the something-to-think-about dept.

tbray writes "The strongest push-back against Massachusetts' effort to institute open, non-proprietary document formats has come from the accessibility community, who claim that Open-Source desktop software lags behind Windows; and thus that a transition to Open Document will amount to discrimination against the blind and those with other disabilities. This is serious stuff. Peter Korn, who's an Accessibility Architect at Sun, has written a massive piece that provides a general introduction to the subject, a discussion of how Open Source is doing on the the accessibility front (things could be worse, but they could be a lot better), and finally, a detailed look at the (interesting) history and (uncertain) future of these issues in Massachusetts. Anyone in Open Source who thinks they can ignore accessibility issues is probably wrong. Getting any younger? Eyes as good as they used to be? This is everybody's issue."

7 of 319 comments (clear)

  1. Speaking of Accessibility by Lord+Byron+II · · Score: 5, Funny

    Light grey text on a white background with salmon-colored links. That's just great on the ol' eyes!

  2. Re:on the other hand by BushCheney08 · · Score: 3, Funny

    on the other hand, open source means anyone (with the skills) can take matters in to their own hands...

    I don't have hands, you insensitive clod!

    --
    Be a real patriot: Question authority. Think for yourself. Formulate your own conclusions.
  3. I can afford to ignore it. by RandoX · · Score: 1, Funny

    At least for another 30 years or so...

  4. Youth by troon · · Score: 3, Funny

    Getting any younger?

    Yes, I am.

    --
    Ydco co ,df C erb-y go. a Ekrpat t.fxrapev
    1. Re:Youth by shis-ka-bob · · Score: 2, Funny
      I commend our superluminary overlord. If you happen to be looking for a date, I sugggest Miss Bright, who gained fame as the object of poetry ...
      There was a young lady named Bright
      Whose speed was much faster than light.
      She set out one day,
      in a relative way,
      And returned on the previous night.
      Poets may not think much of this, but for a physicist its relatively good.
      --
      Think global, act loco
  5. Re:Umm uhhh..... by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 2, Funny
    > ...isn't accessability for retards?

    Can we assume you're using it?

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  6. Give them large monitors by aphaenogaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    My grandfather started having eye problems around 90 so I bought him a used 21 inch ergo 1600 monitor. Set it to 800x600 and now he is a happy camper.