The Graphical User Interface: Crisis,Danger,and Opportunity

The graphical user interface is a powerful new interface for mainstream computer users and a source of serious concern for those who cannot see. Fortunately, it will eventually be made as accessible to blind people as character-based forerunners. The systems that evolve will provide blind computer users with new capabilities not possible with character-based computers and access systems. However, the effects of previous inaccessibility, the current limited accessibility, and lingering doubts about the solvability of some of the access problems have slowed efforts to capitalize on the advantages and opportunities of these new systems. This article identifies potential new problems posed by graphic computing environments and describes some programs and strategies that are being developed to provide access to these environments.