Talking webpages 1

[ljwmis]

I have been asked to develop "talking webpages" on my corporate site - suitable for the blind and partially sighted.

The idea is that when a link, picture or even text is highlighted or selected the site "speaks" and tells you what you have highlighted.

I have never seen this done. Any ideas of where to start, problems I may encounter (eg increased download times) or addresses of sites already doing this in some way or another?

Thanks.

 

[shmmeee]

I've never done or seen anything like this, but isn't there a special browser for blind people that reads the text and ALT tags?

 

[bra1niac]

I can give you a ton of information about browsers for the sight impaired.

The smart way to go about it if it is in fact for the blind is to design for these browsers (they will need one regardless) that give sound cues, etc based on the page design.

However, if you want to include everyone into the 'speaking' design, regardless of browser, etc, then I would suggest buying a few good books on Macromedia's Flash, lock yourself in a room for a month with the computer and just build it. Flash is the smartest way, IMO, to design such a site from the front-end.

Aside from that, I don't see any real issues. If you think about it, you know your target audience, can control your browser (flash plugins are widely available and in most browsers, so requiring the plugin shouldn't be an issue) and keep a pretty good grip on the design process based on the aggressive concept.

Sounds pretty straightforward really. Nothing a skilled Flash user hasn't tried once or twice. "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission." - Rear Admiral Dr. Grace Hopper