How to Make Content Accessible

     

To specify accessibility options for Flash objects, follow these steps:

1. Select a Flash object on the Stage.
   
   
2. In the Property inspector, click the Edit Accessibility Settings button (a blue circle with a white star in it, in the lower right corner), to open the Accessibility panel. If the Edit Accessibility Settings button does not appear, the selection cannot have accessibility applied to it.
   
   Alternatively, you can press Opt-F2 (Mac) or Alt+F2 (Windows) to open the Accessibility panel.
   
   
3. Be sure that Make Object Accessible is checked and then assign a name and description within the Accessibility panel.
   
   

You can even assign a keyboard shortcut within the Accessibility panel to trigger buttons or input text fields. To do so, spell out key name abbreviations, such as Alt or Ctrl, and use a plus sign with no spaces to combine key names .

NOTE

Screen reader software is currently available only on the Windows platform. Keep this fact in mind when you're creating shortcuts, and do not use Mac-specific keys such as Cmd.

Be sure to provide names for any accessible objects. Even if an object contains content that is purely visual ”such as an animated special effect ”it is essential to provide an indication of the content to screen readers. If you do not, users employing assistive devices may be entirely unaware of important content or, in the case of a purely visual effect, may think they are missing vital content. You don't have to provide a name if the object includes a text label: The text label will be read by the screen reader.

When a Flash movie is complete, you must define accessibility for the entire movie for the objects you have made accessible to be exposed to the screen reader. To define accessibility for an entire movie, follow these steps:

1. When a movie is complete and ready to publish, deselect any items on the Stage and then access the Accessibility panel by clicking the Accessibility button in the Property inspector or by choosing Window, Other Panels, Accessibility.
   
   
2. Select Make Movie Accessible, which is selected by default. If you want to hide the movie from screen readers, deselect this option.
   
   
3. Select Make Child Objects Accessible to expose accessible objects within the movie to screen readers.
   
   
4. Select Auto Label to use text objects as automatic labels for accessible buttons and input text fields. This option is selected by default.
   
   
5. Enter a brief, descriptive title in the Name field.
   
   
6. Enter a longer description in the Description field. Imagine that you cannot see the movie, and provide a description that will convey your content without relying upon any visual references.
   
   

Although Flash MX 2004 attempts to make content more accessible, designers and developers have to ensure that essential content can be conveyed. Take the initiative and do all that you can to make your content available for as wide an audience as possible.