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