Peter Korn's Weblog

Corel Corporation has announced today their upcoming support for ODF and OOXML. This means that sometime in mid 2007, there will be another, major office suite which customers can use to read and write OpenDocument format files. Since many assistive technologies already support Corel WordPerfect on Windows, this means that many users of assistive technologies will have another option for using ODF (beyond using one of several technologies that import/export ODF into MS-Office; or using whatever level of support for existing ODF apps like StarOffice/OpenOffice.org that their assistive technology already provides).

Some assistive technologies - most notably the JAWS for Windows screen reader - provide a greater set of reading & editing features and functionality when used with MS-Office vs. with Corel WordPerfect. So Corel's upcoming release doesn't address all of the accessibility desires for ODF. It is, however, another significant step forward. And this step is completely in keeping with a growing trend: the increased adoption by customers, governments, institutions of ODF (as also reflected in the growing membership of the ODF Alliance) is resulting in increased support in applications. And likewise, increased support by assistive technologies for people with disabilities. (2006-11-29 23:00:34.0) Permalink

Accessible U.S. Currency

As a fairly frequent traveler, I've had the opportunity to use a lot of different currency. Much of this currency has been thoughtfully designed to be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities - and most especially to people with visual disabilities. Not so American currency. In fact, a 1995 National Academy of Sciences report titled "Currency Features for Visually Impaired People" noted:

An important aspect of a person's full participation in today's society is being able to conveniently and confidentially exchange currency in everyday transactions, as when using public transportation or making purchases. U.S. citizens with low vision experience a uniquely difficult task in that U.S. banknotes are remarkably uniform in size, color, and general design. The banknotes provide no basis for denominating by blind persons.

In contrast to the American situation, it should be noted that there are many things you can do to make currency accessible, and many currencies (like the Euro, the Yen, the Australian dollar) incorporate such features.

Yesterday U.S. District Judge James Robertson issues his ruling in American Council of the Blind v. Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, holding that "the Treasury Department's failure to design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired individuals violates §504 of the Rehabilitation Act." See the CNN Money article about this, as well as the ACB press release. The ruling is subject to appeal. But... perhaps with the next redesign of our currency, the U.S. will catch up with most of the rest of the world in currency accessibility. (2006-11-29 22:34:36.0) Permalink


	Peter Korn's Weblog The collected occasional commentary by Peter Korn, Accessibility Architect at Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Another ODF option coming: Corel WordPerfect Office

Accessible U.S. Currency