Assistive Technology applications can't access text or buttons of MathDaisy installer

The information in this document applies to:

All versions of all assistive technology applications (screen readers, magnifiers, etc) that speak dialogs.

Windows XP Windows Vista

Issue:

Screen readers and other assistive technology (AT) applications that speak what is on the screen are not able to access the text or buttons in for the MathDaisy installer.  For these AT applications, the installer dialogs are invisible to the AT application without the remedy below.

Reason:

The MathDaisy installer is a Java-based installer. Some AT applications include what is called the "Java Access Bridge" and will work with MathDaisy without problems. Most AT applications require users to download the access bridge on their own.

A description of the Java Access Bridge and information about downloading it can be found at: http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/accessibility/accessbridge/index.jsp

Known AT applications that will work with the access bridge are:

• Freedom Scientific: JAWS
• Dolphin: HAL and related products.

Some AT applications will not work with Java at all. An AT application known not to work with the access bridge (and hence, not work with MathDaisy) is:

• GW Micro: Window-Eyes

Solution:

Running the installer from the command line bypasses the Java elements of the installer that are accessible only through the Java Accessibility Bridge.  Follow these steps to install MathDaisy while using a screen reader without the Java Accessibility Bridge:

For Windows XP

1. Click on the Start menu
2. Click on Run
3. Type the letters ‘cmd’ and press <Enter>
4. Navigate to where you downloaded the MathDaisy Installer
   -By default, most browsers download to the Desktop.  In this instance, type ‘cd desktop’ and hit <Enter>
5. Type ‘MathDaisy10_install.exe –i SILENT’ and press <Enter>
   -NOTE: the installer is case-sensitive, be sure to use a lower-case “i” when typing this command.

For Windows Vista

1. Click on the Start menu
2. Click into the field labeled Start Search
3. Type 'cmd' and press <Enter>
4. Navigate to where you downloaded the MathDaisy Installer
   -By default, most browsers download to the Desktop.  In this instance, type ‘cd desktop’ and hit <Enter>
5. Type ‘MathDaisy10_install.exe –i SILENT’ and press <Enter>
   -NOTE: the installer is case-sensitive, be user and use a lower-case “i” when typing this command.

The installer will launch and only show a subset of the usual install dialogs. All those that are shown will be accessible to a non-Java compatible screen reader. The installer will install MathDaisy into the default location "C:\Program Files\MathDaisy".