Accessibility is the idea that software (among other things) should be designed to be usable and, as much as possible, convenient to use for people with disabilities. Mozilla strives to make its software accessible; the documents below cover the ways in which we do so. These articles provide Mozilla-specific details about accessibility.
- Accessibility API cross-reference
- This cross-reference helps us see the difference between today's accessibility API's. All accessibility APIs to date define a list of possible object roles, or general types, such as button, menu item, text, etc. They also define a list of possible object states, such as focused, read-only, checked, etc.
- Accessibility Features in Firefox
- Firefox works with popular screen readers, with the best support currently coming from GW Micro's Window-Eyes 5.5. We are optimistic that JAWS support will catch up this year. In recent articles from both AFB's Access World and NFB's Voice of the Nation's Blind, reviewers found no significant roadblocks in moving to Firefox from Internet Explorer for screen reader users. In fact, the same keyboard commands are still available, so users can become comfortable and productive right away.
- Accessibility Information for Core Gecko Developers
- Editorial review completed.
- Accessibility information for UI designers and developers
- Both end users and developers are invited for discussion on the live IRC channel at irc.mozilla.org/#accessibility. Since this is a worldwide effort, there is always a good chance to find someone to chat with there, day or night.
- Accessible Toolkit Checklist
- Please contact the Mozilla Accessibility Community with questions or feedback.
- CSUN Firefox Materials
- Firefox 1.5 is a fast, free, standards compliant web browser which is rapidly gaining recognition for its fresh, streamlined approach to browsing the web. In addition to winning major awards such as PC World Product of the Year, Firefox has attracted a huge following among savvy users who simply care enough about their web browsing experience to download a new piece of software. Websites such as online magazines with sophisticated audiences are now reporting upwards of 25% Firefox usage.
- Embedding API for Accessibility
- Event Process Procedure
- This diagram outlines how events are processed within Gecko.
- Gecko info for Windows accessibility vendors
- Please contact the Mozilla Accessibility Community.
- Information for Assistive Technology Vendors
- Both end users and developers are invited for discussion on the live IRC channel at irc.mozilla.org/#accessibility. Since this is a worldwide effort, there is always a good chance to find someone to chat with there, day or night.
- Information for External Developers Dealing with Accessibility
- Both end users and developers are invited for discussion on the live IRC channel at irc.mozilla.org/#accessibility. Since this is a worldwide effort, there is always a good chance to find someone to chat with there, day or night.
- Information for Governments and Other Organizations Evaluating Mozilla
- Information for users
- Firefox 2 now has help topics (From the menubar: ? > Help Contents F1 > Accessibility Features) which describe any special features and keyboard shortcuts designed to help users with disabilities. Please check the Accessibility help topic for more information.
- Links and Resources
- Here are some useful links for those interested in web accessibility as well as open source accessibility.
- Mozilla Plugin Accessibility
- Plugins in Gecko-based browsers have a lot of accessibility issues. Here is a rundown of problems and the planned solutions:
- Mozilla accessibility architecture
- This page is maintained by Aaron Leventhal and by the Mozilla Accessibility Community. Feedback and constructive suggestions are encouraged.
- Mozilla's Section 508 Compliance
- Mozilla’s UAAG evaluation report
- The UAAG document contains a very rich set of accessibility guidelines, that broadly define how accessibility should be implemented by any user agent, i.e. software that renders web content. The UAAG is not the basis for any government accessibility regulations at this time.
- Software accessibility: Where are we today?
- The accessibility of computer software has seen drastic improvements over the past two decades. This article reviews the progress and technology as it has developed.
- W4A
- Future home of Aaron Leventhal's W4A Conference Paper -- please check back
- ZoomText
- We've made a lot of progress with Mozilla/ZoomText compatibility.