Today, many .NET applications don't include accessibility features, but now that they're much simpler to implement, excuses are less and less tenable. Are you already developing accessible applications? If not, why not? Do you think Microsoft could have (or should have) baked accessibility into the framework even more tightly? Should they support other accessibility frameworks? Let us know in the .NET discussion forum on DevX.
How to Build Accessible Windows Forms Applications with .NET
Open your favorite .NET application, then close your eyes and try using the program. Tough, isn't it? But that's what using your applications may be like for disabled computer users. As a responsible developer, you can solve this problem by using these techniques to add Active Accessibility features to your application.
by Peter Koen
August 18, 2004
icrosoft Active Accessibility is a technology that improves the way programs and the operating system can interact with accessibility aids. Active Accessibility has to be invisible to the user and be recognized only by special client software designed to help people with disabilities.
Active Accessibility is available for Win98, WinNT 4.0 SP6, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or newer operating systems. A version for Windows 9x is also available, although with some limitations.
What You Need
To get the most benefit from this article, you need a good understanding of C# and object-oriented programming and a general knowledge of the .NET environment, including Windows Forms and Custom Controls. Although a deep understanding of the system internals isn't necessary, understanding its basics will be advantageous. The examples in this article should be used with the final release of Visual Studio.NET (2003) on Windows 2000 or XP machines. To be able to test the samples you will need to have accessibility clients installed. For more information check the documentation of your operating system.
Active Accessibility must provide several pieces of information about objects on the screen:
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icrosoft Active Accessibility is a technology that improves the way programs and the operating system can interact with accessibility aids. Active Accessibility has to be invisible to the user and be recognized only by special client software designed to help people with disabilities.
