Adobe Supports Open-Source Screen Reader NVDA
NVDA is a screen reader offered by NV Access, an Australian non-profit organization. NVDA is open-source and free for users to download and use.
All users encounter Flash-based content and PDF documents regularly, and Adobe wants NVDA users to have a positive experience. Therefore, Adobe is funding NVAccess to help address the goals to "Improve support for Adobe Reader" and "Add support for Adobe Flash embedded in Browsers. This work will benefit not only Flash and PDF, but also help users access content and applications developed with Adobe Flex and interactive forms developed with Adobe LiveCycle.
NVDA developers have already done some work to enhance access to PDF in the current release. We're looking forward to additional improvements progress that will surely be made in the coming months!
Comments
Fantastic! I have been a big defender of the use of Adobe Flash as means of accessibility for the blind, but have encountered som resistance tu its use due to some lack of accessibility. As a blind user, this news is what we expect from Adobe. Congratulations. Francisco Lima
Posted by: Francisco Lima | August 26, 2009 9:48 AM
Sadly, it's not accessible by more than 15-20% of all users--it's only PC, not Mac. Too bad. I've been looking for an open-source tool like this, something that would move the assistance industry out of 1985. Until they can come up with something that works with Macs, though, I'm hosed.
Posted by: Joe Sokohl | October 5, 2009 11:19 AM