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November 7, 2023 – The unveiling of A11yBoard for Google Slides marks a significant milestone in accessibility innovation, created by a dedicated team at the University of Washington. This groundbreaking browser extension and mobile app have been crafted to empower visually impaired individuals, providing an intuitive interface that enables seamless navigation through complex slide layouts, objects, and textual content.
A11yBoard is the brainchild of a collaborative effort seeking to bridge the accessibility gap in slide presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides. Traditional slideshow tools often fall short in making screen reader outputs coherent, relying on Z-order to navigate slide contents. As this method lacks the capacity to convey a slide’s layout accurately, it renders slideshow software inaccessible to users with disabilities.
This innovative solution goes beyond enabling access for blind users; it aims to equip individuals with the ability to independently create compelling content, transcending the limitations imposed by conventional presentation software. The presentation of the A11yBoard prototype at ASSETS 2023 showcased its promising potential in enhancing accessibility and altering the landscape of content creation for visually impaired users.
The team, in collaboration with blind users, conducted rigorous testing and fine-tuning to improve the app’s interface. The feedback from these tests was overwhelmingly positive, with blind users expressing enhanced comprehension of visual content and the newfound ability to create slides independently, reducing reliance on sighted assistance.
The road ahead for A11yBoard is paved with further enhancements. The team envisions integrating advanced functionalities, such as natural language commands, into the app to streamline the content authoring process for blind users, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Funded in part by the University of Washington’s Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (UW CREATE), the A11yBoard initiative represents a significant stride toward inclusivity and accessibility. For more information or inquiries, kindly reach out to Zhuohao Zhang at zhuohao@uw.edu and Jacob O. Wobbrock at wobbrock@uw.edu.
Read the full article, “A Google Slides extension can make presentation software more accessible for blind users,” on UW News.
