| Online chats and instant messaging will soon | | | | Because most users already have a |
| account for more personal and corporate | | | | Java-enabled Web browser, there are no other |
| communications than the telephone. Nearly | | | | software downloads or installs. |
| eight hundred million instant messages are | | | | Unfortunately, the implementation of Java |
| being sent each day. It is estimated that | | | | inside the Web browser is not very |
| number will increase to over four billion. | | | | accessible. Unless the Java programmer has |
| The accessibility of these communication | | | | specifically designed the chat interface to |
| tools to all users is important. When | | | | work with screen readers, the screen reader |
| individuals with disabilities are blocked | | | | will not be able to use the interface. Newer |
| from using online chat programs, they are cut | | | | versions of Jaws are currently the only |
| out of one important communication channel. | | | | readers capable of reading Java output; |
| | | | however, the author is unaware of any Java |
| There are three types of popular synchronous | | | | chat interfaces that have been developed for |
| communication tools: IRC - Internet Relay | | | | them. For users with disabilities other than |
| Chat was an early communication technology. | | | | vision problems (cognitive, motor, hearing, |
| It allows users to send and receive messages | | | | etc.), there are design principles that can |
| from the central server using client | | | | make Web-based chat interfaces more |
| software. Another type of communication tool | | | | accessible, such as use of clear/consistent |
| is web-based Chats. These typically use Java | | | | navigation, not relying on audio for content, |
| to display and control a chat interface | | | | and easy-to-use interfaces as well. |
| within a Web page. No additional software is | | | | |
| required. There are also Instant Messengers | | | | Some Web-based chat programs have been |
| or software for managing and communicating | | | | developed to output HTML only. These chats |
| with others. | | | | can be quite accessible to screen readers, |
| | | | because no additional software is required |
| IRC, or Internet Relay Chat is one type of | | | | and the output is easily read by the |
| communication tool popular in the business | | | | software. HTML chats are also cross |
| world. To participate in an Internet Relay | | | | compatible and work with all new web |
| Chat, you need an IRC program, commonly | | | | browsers. HTML chat programs must allow the |
| called a Client. There is a wide variety of | | | | user to control how new messages are |
| IRC programs available, with varying levels | | | | displayed - if new messages are automatically |
| of accessibility to those with disabilities. | | | | displayed, then the user may become confused. |
| The most popular Macintosh IRC client is | | | | HTML chat windows must be automatically or |
| Ircle - external link. The best Windows based | | | | manually refreshed to view new messages, |
| IRC client is mIRC - external link. These | | | | which can be tedious or confusing to users. |
| clients are primarily command based, meaning | | | | |
| that the user must manually enter text | | | | In general, Instant Messenger chat tools seem |
| commands into the interface to go to | | | | to be reasonably accessible, although there |
| different chat areas, change preferences, and | | | | are compatibility issues between versions of |
| chat with others. The accessibility of IRC | | | | assistive technology and versions of IM |
| clients varies and accessibility programs | | | | tools. The Jaws screen reader was designed to |
| have been developed to work with Ircle, mIRC, | | | | work with versions of AOL Instant Messenger |
| and others, but most are outdated and do not | | | | and has been used with each of the major |
| work with newer IRC clients. Because of the | | | | instant messengers with varying levels of |
| limitations of IRC and the difficult to learn | | | | success. The user in many cases must learn to |
| and use interfaces, it is not as frequently | | | | 'trick' the IM program into working with |
| used as other chat tools. | | | | their assistive program and must learn how to |
| | | | control and manipulate the program, which is |
| The use of synchronous communications through | | | | not inherently accessible. IM settings can be |
| a Web page interface is quite powerful. Most | | | | changed to make the program more accessible, |
| Web-based chats use the programming language | | | | such as viewing one message at a time, |
| Java to create an updateable region of the | | | | keeping the IM window from automatically |
| screen that can be used for chatting with | | | | opening, and designating sounds for various |
| other users that are at the same Web page. | | | | notifications. |