robertj@tekgen.bv.tek.com (Robert Jaquiss) (05/13/91)
Index Number: 15519
This article is reprinted with the permission of Linda Helgerson,
President of CD-ROM ENDuser, Disc Magazine, and CE-ROM End User.
It is intended for the use in the CBFB magazine. Any other
reprinting must be authorized by Ms. Helgerson.
The Federal Government, CD-ROM & The Visually Impaired User
by Rex Hancock, General Services Administration
Many organizations providing information on CD-ROM have not
considered how their choice of a storage/retrieval method impacts
people with disabilities. If you work for, do business with or
would like to do business with the Federal Government in CD-ROM,
you should be familiar with the Federal Government requirements
highlighted in this article.
In 1986 the Federal Government modified the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR 201-30) in response to the passage of Public Law
99-506. Public Law 99-506, Section 508 states in part that:
...the Administrator of the General Services, in consultation
with the electronics industry, shall develop and establish
guidelines to insure that handicapped individuals may use
electronic office equipment with or without special peripherals.
The Federal Information Resource Management Regulation or
(FIRMR) Amendment 14 implements the electronic accessibility
requirement of P.L. 99-506. Agencies now have the new statutory
responsibility to, upon determination of requirements, secure
equipment that meets the needs of users with disabilities.
What does this have to do with CD-ROM? Simply stated, CD-
ROM systems employing a graphic user interface (GUI) or whose
text data is stored as an image file rather than as ASCII text
are inaccessible by visually impaired users. Computer users who
are blind or visually impaired can access and "read" CD-ROM based
information provided the information is stored as ASCII text.
During the data acquisition and conversion (paper/film/tape to
digital form) process, a conscious decision must be made to store
text in ASCII and allow retrieval through a non-graphic
interface.
Access Technology
You may wonder how it is possible for a blind or visually
impaired person to read anything. There are several types of
adaptive devices, both hardware and/or software, that provide
access to computer systems for visually impaired users. The
following is an outline of some of the solutions that can be, and
are being, used to support access to information on a CD-ROM
system.
Several products exist that allow visually impaired users to
magnify information displayed on the screen from 2X to 8X its
normal size. One of these options is a RAM resident, or
Terminate Stay Resident (TSR), package that can be used in
conjunction with almost any application. A hardware or firmware
option is also available that will redirect the screen memory to
a monitor that mimics the output magnified to the level of
satisfaction required by the user. This option allows a visually
impaired person to view text as well as color graphics.
Another option uses a combination of hardware to
simultaneously provide magnification of printed material and the
information on the screen. The equipment needed to perform this
function consists of a closed-circuit-type TV camera and display
monitor. An adapter redirects the output from the computer to
the closed-circuit display monitor where it can be magnified to
the user's satisfaction. The camera, whose output can also be
directed to the same monitor simultaneously, provides
magnification of printed material such as a user manual, phone
message or memo.
For a person whose vision has degraded to a point where
magnification offers no relief there is yet another option.
Text-to-speech synthesis provides the capability for a user to
interactively review selected portions of the computer's display
monitor and have the information "read aloud" to them. Speech
synthesis technology combined with screen review software unlocks
a potentially inaccessible environment for the non-sighted
computer user. State-of-the-art speech systems can be configured
to recognize specific attributes of a variety of software
packages. This enables a blind user to "recognize" pull-down
menus and other features unique to today's applications.
A refreshable braille display unit provides immediate
tactile feedback of ASCII characters being displayed on the
computer display monitor. The refreshable braille display unit,
connected via a serial port on the computer, allows the user to
"read" any portion of the screen by sending the information to a
device that produces the corresponding braille pattern.
These options alone are not the total solution nor do they
guarantee accessibility.
"Unrestricted Access"
Information presented as pure ASCII text, rather than an
image file with an index of keywords to allow retrieval, retains
the format that is required to provide accessibility. This does
not mean that a CD-ROM application cannot contain pictures or
graphic information. Graphical information simply needs to be
annotated with a description that is in ASCII text.
If the information on the display monitor is ASCII text but
the user interface utilizes graphics, a significant barrier
remains. Screen reading systems employing speech synthesizers
cannot interpret text that is displayed in an interface utilizing
bitmapped characters. It is imperative that the CD-ROM systems
offer users a choice of an ASCII text-based or graphic interface.
A simple function available during the install process would
allow users to select either interface option.
How the system or hardware cursor is utilized is also a
consideration in the development of an accessible interface. A
common problem is the utilization of a "soft" cursor. Some
applications bypass the BIOS and display a cursor that is
controlled solely by the application program. Unseen by a
sighted user, the system cursor remains "parked" off-screen.
Because most screen review software programs utilize the hardware
cursor, the visually impaired user is mislead or confused. An
interim fix to this problem is an install option allowing users
to synchronize the hardware and software cursors together.
A visually impaired user trying to read a menu or determine
what menu choice is available relies on the screen review
software to locate the system cursor. Many applications utilize
"pop-up" menus or windows to display help information. Most
screen review software programs offer the capability to locate
and report activated areas of the screen. There are typically
two choices for the user trying to read this information. The
user can select a "review" cursor, controlled by the screen
review software, and move about the screen, scanning and reading
independently. The second choice involves configuring the screen
review software to recognize the menu structure of a given
application. For example, a Lotus 1-2-3 user can configure his
or her screen reading software to recognize the commands which
are displayed when the command menu is activated. A
configuration file can be established that would support this
capability for a CD-ROM user as well. This is often made
difficult, however, by applications that display information in
multiple columns or use overlapping menus instead of a single-
menu, single-column format.
Innovative Applications for CD-ROM Systems
The design and development of CD-ROM information systems
accessible to visually impaired and blind individuals must be
part of a long-term development strategy. A perceived problem
can be turned into an opportunity if viewed properly.
Consider how many sources of information we access on a day-
to-day basis as we go about our daily activities. To satisfy
even the simplest of needs we have to consult printed documents
many times a day. For a visually impaired person the very nature
of the information media inhibits his or her ability to carry out
a simple function like ordering a pizza by phone, finding a
doctor and making an appointment, determining hours of operation
for a retail store, etc.
Visually impaired persons are likely to become the earliest
and largest users of a CD-ROM based phone directory. Since the
phone directory is updated annually the paper and printing cost
savings alone should be substantial. This does of course require
the use of a CD-ROM drive which could be offered by the phone
company on a lease just like one's telephone.
Other applications include: comprehensive independent living
catalogs, a single source reference library, maps (yes, maps!),
cookbooks, etc. In the workplace, CD-ROM server networks can
provide access to large documentation or reference libraries. In
the commercial marketplace, telephone-based access to large
information services is anticipated to be a very fast growing
market in the near future.
Sales of systems developed for visually impaired users could
stimulate market visibility and potential that would ultimately
lead to sales in a larger general market. That is, of course,
providing the information is accessible to all users.
Impact on Government Acquisitions
At this point, you are probably considering the impact of
all of this on your organization. If you are in a Federal agency
considering the production of a CD-ROM system, be sure you
understand the requirement to establish a system that is
accessible to persons with disabilities.
If you are attempting to sell your system or production
services to the Federal Government to produce a CD-ROM system,
you should take a serious look at the impact of this legislation
on those efforts. Some vendors may believe this is simply a
niche market and choose to put their efforts into larger, broader
applications. The recent passage of the American Disabilities
Act (ADA) may impact that choice. ADA does for the private
sector what Public Law 99-506, Section 508 did for the Federal
community. Failure to be responsive is likely to also jeopardize
sales in the near future to the private sector.
It is no secret that there is a tremendous market for CD-ROM
based information systems in the Federal arena. CD-ROM has the
potential to be a very powerful tool for blind and low-vision
computer users. Compliance with the accessibility requirements
discussed here will stimulate growth in existing markets and
expand opportunities into new markets as well.
Rex Hancock is a Computer Systems Analyst with the General
Services Administration (KGDO), responsible for providing
agencies with assistance in implementing the GSA Guidelines for
Equivalent Access to Equipment under Public Law 9906, Section
508. Mr. Hancock may be contacted at 18th & F Streeets,
Washington, DC 20405, TEL 202/501-4906, FAX 202/501-3855.