Here is the q&A message that Mike wanted to see.
David Andrews
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON MICROSOFT/HENTER-JOYCE AGREEMENT
Q. What is Off-Screen Model (OSM) technology?
A. Off-Screen Model is the term for a database of a computer
screen's contents, including text, graphics, controls and
other elements. This technology has been used primarily for
blind-access products, which allow users to browse the
contents of their computer screen using synthesized speech or
a Braille display. Some capabilities of a OSM are also useful
for speech-recognition utilities that need to determine what
commands are appropriate at a given time and screen-
magnification utilities that must track a user's focus as he
or she works.
Q. How do you plan on distributing Microsoft's OSM?
A. Initially, the Microsoft OSM will be provided to
Accessibility Aids vendors to redistribute with their
products. Future versions of Windows will integrate the OSM
into the core components of the operating system.
Q. Does this announcement indicate that Microsoft is finally
acknowledging the needs of the disabled and will takes
steps to address these within the Windows GUI environment?
A. It has always been Microsoft's ongoing objective to make
computers easier to use. We have worked to make each new
release of Windows more accessible for everyone, including
users with disabilities. Windows 95 represents a significant
upgrade to the Windows operating system, and we are
continuing to address accessibility problems with this
product and future enhancements of the operating system.
Q. When will the OSM technology be incorporated into the
Windows operating system?
A. The final schedule is still being developed, but we currently
expect to release the first version of the Microsoft OSM
approximately six to eight months after Windows 95 ships.
Q. What accessibility features can we expect to see fully
integrated into Windows 95 when it ships in August?
A. The features that have long been part of our free Access
Pack for Windows and DOS are now integrated into Windows 95.
These include: StickyKeys, MouseKeys, SlowKeys, BounceKeys,
RepeatKeys, ToggleKeys and SerialKeys which all allow users
to adapt the keyboard for various mobility impairments, and
ShowSounds and SoundSentry which display visual cues of
various auditory events for people who are deaf or hard of
hearing. For users with visual impairments, there are high
contrast screen settings, the user interface is scaleable to
allow elements to be resized for easier use, the mouse
pointer can be enlarged and mouse trails turned on for
greater visibility. We also include right- and left-handed
Dvorak keyboard layouts for single-handed typists. Because
settings under Windows 95 can be saved using each user's name
and password, multiple users can easily share the same
machine, even if one or more users need the accessibility
options.
Further plans include bundling a basic screen magnifier and
on-screen keyboard that are designed to enable users who need
these utilities to temporarily use machines other than their
own; users who rely on these features will still want to
purchase full-featured commercial accessibility aids for
their primary work machines.
Q. In choosing Henter-Joyce as the vendor to supply this
technology, aren't you locking out other vendors in this
area?
A. Microsoft is working with all third party accessibility
software vendors to ensure that the Microsoft OSM, when it is
made available, can be used by all of their products.
Microsoft licensed the Henter-Joyce technology to give us a
head start on our own development project, but the resulting
component will not closely resemble any of the OSMs currently
in use. Currently, each developer of screen access programs
creates their own OSM, and they can continue to use their own
private interface or switch over to the interface that
Microsoft is defining. Microsoft's version will be fully
replaceable, so an independent software vendor (ISV) can
choose whether or not to use the Microsoft's version or
retain their own OSM.
Microsoft's goal in producing an OSM is to ensure the further
growth and development of the rich array of third-party
products in this area, while reducing the time-to-market of
blind access utilities for future versions of Windows.
Microsoft does not intend to directly compete with these
vendors or promote one such product at the expense of others
on the market.
Q: What does a software developer need to do to take advantage
of the Microsoft OSM?
A: Mainstream software vendors will not need to do anything
special to work with the Microsoft OSM. However, Microsoft
is including accessible software design guidelines in the
Windows 95 Software Developer's Kit, and mainstream
applications should follow as many of these guidelines as
possible in order to be usable by people with disabilities
and ensure compatibility with all kinds of accessibility
aids, including those based on the Microsoft OSM.
Accessibility software vendors who have their own OSM
technology today would have to alter some of their existing
code to talk to the new interface being defined for the
Microsoft OSM. We do not expect this to be a huge amount of
work, but it is not trivial, so Microsoft will be providing
technical assistance to help them over this hurdle. Once the
initial investment is made the software developer should be
rewarded by reduced maintenance costs.
Q: Why did Microsoft choose Henter-Joyce? Does Microsoft
endorse Henter-Joyce's screen access product?
A: Microsoft looked at a number of off-screen model technologies
from different vendors before entering into an agreement with
Henter-Joyce. Many of the existing OSMs were not designed
in a way that could be easily separated from their screen
access product. Henter-Joyce's off-screen model was
technically excellent and was well adapted to incorproration
into our component architecture. However, a blind access
utility should be chosen based on many factors beyond its
off-screen model, so every user should thoroughly research
the products on the market before deciding which one best
meets their needs and preferences.
David Andrews, director
International Braille and Technology Center
for the Blind
National Federation of the Blind
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