Google Addresses Accessibility
Until recently, the all mighty Google had a poor reputation among visual and mobility impaired web users. Their use of visual verification systems like “captcha” to prevent automated bots from creating Google user accounts (see Oops, Google Did it Again and A Call to Action: Captchas Limit Equal Access to Information) created barriers to visually impaired users. The lack of structural markup made it difficult for visual and mobility impaired users (more specifically keyboard users) to quickly and efficiently navigate search results. And the heavy use of DHTML in many of their new “Web 2.0″ applications (like GMail, Google Calendar, Google Spreadsheets, and the long anticipated launch of their word processing app Writely) make it difficult if not impossible for keyboard only users to access these alternatives to bulky and expensive desktop applications (although this may not be considered their oversight, but rather a limitation of the access software in use today).
In the article ‘Google for the blind‘ recently published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Jessica Guynn writes about a new project in Google Labs called Google Accessible Search:
Google research scientist T.V. Raman, blinded by childhood glaucoma, doesn’t want the visually impaired to be sidelined on the Internet. That’s why this fervent proponent of making technology accessible to the entire disabled community moved from IBM to the Internet mainstream a year ago, and has been working tirelessly ever since toward Web sight for all. His latest effort? It’s called “Accessible Search,” a new Google search engine that aims to deliver results both relevant and easy for the visually impaired to access.
The article also mentions improvements in access to Google’s visual verification system:
Those squiggly words you see on a Web page that act as a security measure to keep out spammers. Known as “captchas.” They work great, if you can see them. Google finally added audio to their word verification system in April.
And it hints at greater things to come, like improved access to web apps like GMail and Google Talk.
I have to admit, the prospect of a more accessible Google, which is for many, the gateway to the World Wide Web, is very exciting. However, at first glance, it appears that Google Accessible Search has quite a ways to go. The lack of structural markup is a huge shortcoming. The only heading tag is an H1 wrapped around the first words on the page “Accessible Search.” How about adding an H2 to that meaningless word WEB that appears above the search results? Better yet, change that word to something meaningful, like RESULTS!)
Sarcasm aside, Google and T.V. Raman should be commended and encouraged in their efforts. A more accessible web benefits all. So be sure to read the article in full at The Technology Chronicles : Google for the blind. Don’t forget to look for quotes from Carroll Tech and All About Access’s very own Joanmarie Diggs!
Technorati Tags: Google, captcha, Accessible Search