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3:52:00 PM PDT
Accessible version of the Web Suite impresses
AOL tries hard to offer mail products that can be
beneficial to the majority of the online users and one of the groups that is
not forgotten is our visually impaired group.
The Basic version of the Web Suite (aka Accessible Version) helps
visually impaired users by being screen reader friendly with a robust set of
keyboard shortcuts. A few months ago, I
blogged about some of the most common shortcuts (email me if you’d like the
full list—too long to post here).
Anyways, even more accessibility improvements are slated
for inclusion next month but I wanted to share with you what one major
organization had to say about the new Accessible Version of the Web Suite. Curtis Chong is the President of the National
Federation of the Blind in Computer Science and is a recognized expert on
accessible technology. Here’s what he
wrote to AOL:
“I must say that I am quite impressed with the work that has clearly been done to create the accessible Web-based AOL mail interface. After I played around with it a bit, I found that the keyboard shortcuts do work if you give them a chance to do so <grin>.
I admit that I have spent perhaps two hours working on this, but so far, I can find very little to criticize and much to be glad about. My instincts tell me that a lot of thought and work went into the design of the accessible interface. The design clearly demonstrates a strong understanding of how screen-access programs for the blind work, knowledge of the shortcuts they use to facilitate efficient navigation of Web pages, and a practical understanding of what blind people need and want in an e-mail system. I'm hard to impress, but I will tell you that this has impressed me.
Cordially,
Curtis Chong”
We hope our visually impaired friends are enjoying the new Basic Version of the Web Suite.
Thank you all for choosing AOL.
Tae Kang
“The AOL Mail Blog Guy”
http://mailblog.aol.com
Keyword: mail blog
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Response to comment #47:
You shouldn't have to constantly switch back and forth between Basic and Standard. If your machine will support running Standard, then best to stick with that. Sounds like maybe you are stuck on getting directed to Basic after login. You will want to clear your browser cache and then select Standard again. This will get you going there every time.
The Mail Team -
I think this Basic version stinks. Every time I want to get my email it says " you are using Basic click here for standard" So I have to take another step and hit standard, then you have to click on mail again. It is a pain, I hate it. I have called the aol and 2 of their techs have said their is nothing they can do.
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What was done with the send mail function? I use to be able to type in a name and the e-mail would show up-----now I have to goto Contacts, put an X in the box then send mail. Did I click on something to delete this feature?
dljbeaupre -
I think that in the web suite I should be able to use stationaries, and that where I go to put my signature in the settings should have colour and size options, rather than just being plain!
:-).
1/23/08 7:44 AM
Error Code: C0FE1603
Report ID: 30237-webmail-20080123-154119