Off the wall question

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Guest

I have a user who is blind. He uses a program called JAWS that describes the screen to him in great detail. He is registered to attend the Access I class tomorrow. I've been going through the book to try to find ways for him to perform actions using menus and keyboard combinations. I have hit a brick wall. I'm trying to create a query. How do I get my selected fields from the top pane to fill in the columns in the bottom pane to specify the query. Normally this is where I would double click on the field and it would fill in the bottom pane.

HELP!!!

Glenda
 
I haven't tried Jaws yet (have a demo CD on the table behind me) . I've
been exposed to about 2 minutes of Window Eyes and Jaws will probably behave
similarly. It should be possible for Blind User to do the same thing you
do. S/he will take longer to get it done and it will be a lot noisier
because the software will verbalize the intersection of the pointer with
every element. S/he can scroll the field list and doubleclick on the
correct one. I'd imagine it will be trickier to later find the field in the
lower pane. I think s/he will have to step across the columns listening to
the field names until arriving at the correct one. I think there will be
verbal cues while stepping down to a blank criteria field).

Just between you and me, it seems pretty ambitions to expect a blind person
to handle the graphic elements in Access design modes. I know that a blind
person can do a lot but all of the nifty graphics which are really helpful
to sighted people are impedimenta to a blind person geting verbal readouts.
The reader programs can only tell you that there is a graphic, not what the
graphic is. Incredibly, the character oriented interfaces of several
generations back might be more comfortable!

I would expect a blind person to function pretty well with a well designed
user interface (especially a user interface done with blind user's in mind)
A good user interface would have lots of hot keys that the user could learn.

HTH
--
-Larry-
--

Glenda Garcia said:
I have a user who is blind. He uses a program called JAWS that describes
Click to expand...
the screen to him in great detail. He is registered to attend the Access I
class tomorrow. I've been going through the book to try to find ways for
him to perform actions using menus and keyboard combinations. I have hit a
brick wall. I'm trying to create a query. How do I get my selected fields
from the top pane to fill in the columns in the bottom pane to specify the
query. Normally this is where I would double click on the field and it
would fill in the bottom pane.
 
Glenda said:
never mind. I found it.
Click to expand...

Would you please post your answer so that others can benefit.
Especially when searching groups.google.com.

Thanks, Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
 
Dear Tony:

I am a teacher-librarian at a school for blind/visually impaired students.
We use JAWS and Zoomtext as screen readers. JAWS works with Access, however,
it isn't perfect... When using the query design grid, the JAWS user should
be aware that JAWS incorrectly indicates that the dropdown combobox (the one
listing available fields) on the design grid is an text edit box. The blind
user needs to be told it is a combobox so that the user can select a field.
Also, JAWS does not read the "Show" checkbox on the design grid.

Additionaly, there are problems with running JAWS and Wizards to set up
controls in design view...

I would be interested in communicating with anyone who is using Access and
JAWS, particularly those who are working with totally blind users, and blind
persons programming in Access VBA...

HTH
Fred Boer
 
Dear Mr. Daugherty:

I am a teacher-librarian at a school for blind/visually impaired students. I
am curious about your interest in screen reading software and MS Access.
Are you designing for blind users? Do you use adaptive software?

Just a couple of comments:

If the noise of the screen reader is a problem, the JAWS user could simply
use a pair of headphones so that the screen reader doesn't disturb others.

The graphical nature of Windows and, of course, of MS Access, is a serious
barrier to the blind user. Text based programs *were* much easier to work
with, (good ol' dBase and Lotus 123 and WordPerfect 5.0...<g>) however,
modern screen readers are getting better all the time.

I am teaching (for the first time) a course in programming in Access VBA
with students with visual impairments (including blindness), and it is a
real learning experience for both teacher and students, let me tell you! :)
Also, I have created a school library program with an online catalogue for
use by students at my school. Making the user interface accessible is, of
course, essential, and has been of critical importance. Hot keys are
significant, as are a clean, simple interface, and meaningful captions...

I am always interested in communicating with anyone who is using Access and
JAWS, particularly those who are working with totally blind users, and blind
persons programming in Access VBA...

HTH
Fred Boer

[OT] P.S. A course in programming with MS Access presented to blind
students... a perfect way to *legitimately* get my daily Access fix, *and*
do my job at the same time! And, yes, I know, I know.... those who are aware
of my miniscule programming skills are thinking... "The blind leading the
blind..." <g>
 
Fred Boer said:
I would be interested in communicating with anyone who is using Access and
JAWS, particularly those who are working with totally blind users, and blind
persons programming in Access VBA...
Click to expand...

Fred

If you like I'd be quite happy to put an Access and JAWS tips page on
my website. With you as the author.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
 
Dear Tony:

What a kind offer! That would be great! I will ask for suggestions and
comments from my students, and try to put together something useful. Once
I've done this, I'll contact you privately, show you what I've come up with,
and you can decide whether to add it to your website. Is that ok with you?

Many thanks!

Fred
 
What a kind offer! That would be great! I will ask for suggestions and
comments from my students, and try to put together something useful. Once
I've done this, I'll contact you privately, show you what I've come up with,
and you can decide whether to add it to your website. Is that ok with you?
Click to expand...

No deciding about it. The URL is already reserved for you!

BTW it's better, IMNSHO, to have something available soon and then
polish things later. IOW rather than getting it perfect make it look
decent and get info up. And add things and polish it as you get to
it.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
 
Dear Tony:

You'll get a mess soon! <g>

Fred

Tony Toews said:
you?

No deciding about it. The URL is already reserved for you!

BTW it's better, IMNSHO, to have something available soon and then
polish things later. IOW rather than getting it perfect make it look
decent and get info up. And add things and polish it as you get to
it.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Click to expand...
 
Fred Boer said:
You'll get a mess soon! <g>
Click to expand...

Ah, but it's your mess. Your name will be in a very large bolded font
at the top. <smile>

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
 
Fred Boer said:
Dear Mr. Daugherty:

I am a teacher-librarian at a school for blind/visually impaired students. I
am curious about your interest in screen reading software and MS Access.
Are you designing for blind users? Do you use adaptive software?

Just a couple of comments:

If the noise of the screen reader is a problem, the JAWS user could simply
use a pair of headphones so that the screen reader doesn't disturb others.

The graphical nature of Windows and, of course, of MS Access, is a serious
barrier to the blind user. Text based programs *were* much easier to work
with, (good ol' dBase and Lotus 123 and WordPerfect 5.0...<g>) however,
modern screen readers are getting better all the time.

I am teaching (for the first time) a course in programming in Access VBA
with students with visual impairments (including blindness), and it is a
real learning experience for both teacher and students, let me tell you! :)
Also, I have created a school library program with an online catalogue for
use by students at my school. Making the user interface accessible is, of
course, essential, and has been of critical importance. Hot keys are
significant, as are a clean, simple interface, and meaningful captions...

I am always interested in communicating with anyone who is using Access and
JAWS, particularly those who are working with totally blind users, and blind
persons programming in Access VBA...

HTH
Fred Boer

[OT] P.S. A course in programming with MS Access presented to blind
students... a perfect way to *legitimately* get my daily Access fix, *and*
do my job at the same time! And, yes, I know, I know.... those who are aware
of my miniscule programming skills are thinking... "The blind leading the
blind..." <g>
Click to expand...
 
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