When will Google Chrome be accessible?

Posted by Steve Faulkner on June 14, 2010;

I have written on the issue of Google Chrome accessibility a number of times since its initial release. Progress is being made, but that progress is too slow for some users of Assistive Technology.  As a consequence a petition has been created by Alex Hiironen to highlight the issue that users of Assitive Technology such as screen readers are still unable to enjoy the advances in browser speed and functionality provided by Google Chrome.

The Google Chrome Screen Reader Accessibility Petition

To:  Google, Inc.

We, as screen reader users, feel that Google’s new and innovative Web browser, Google Chrome, still has a long way to go in accessibility. We are just asking for the developers of this flourishing browser to consider the needs of a growing audience who is interested in using this browser. We should have the choice to use this browser, and should not be shut out because of conditions we cannot control.

Web page text is not readable, and nothing is spoken with various screen access programs such as JAWS, Window-eyes, NVDA, and others. Also, the menus need help in order to be accessible to most windows screen readers.

On Linux, the situation is worse. Orca, the GNOME based screen reader, cannot even access this application due to the way the interface is written.

In 2010, having inaccessible applications is simply appalling and a Web browser coming from a great company such as google should not be subjected to that horrible label of ‘inaccessible’. Inaccessible programs translates to blind and visually impaired individuals being shut out from using this application. That is not acceptable.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Sign the petition

If you feel that Google has not made the accessibility of Google Chrome a priority, have your say - Sign the petition. Maybe they will listen.

Further Reading

9 Comments

  1. When will Google Chrome be accessible? « AccessTech News June 14th, 2010 at 8:56 am

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  4. Paul Irish June 15th, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    There are some technical details on Chrome’s plans and challenges when it comes to accessibility in the comment thread here:
    http://www.lioncourt.com/2010/06/01/google-chrome-for-mac-disregards-accessibility/?contrast=highcontrast#comments

  5. Steve Faulkner June 16th, 2010 at 5:19 am

    Hi paul,
    I also provided a link to the chrome accessibility documentation and road map in the article. (first link under further reading).

  6. Petición para que Google Chrome sea accesible | Accesibilidad Web June 17th, 2010 at 4:02 am

    [...] Fuente: When will Google Chrome be accessible? [...]

  7. Blind-Text » Blog Archiv » Access News der Woche vom 17. Juni – ungesehene Präsentationen June 17th, 2010 at 8:11 am

    [...] Faulkner weist auf eine Petition hin, die Googles Browser Chrome für Benutzer assistiver Technologien zugänglich haben [...]

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