Accessibility of admin interface

(Redux) #1

i'm at the very early stages of considering a small/medium sized CMS solution, and so far been reasonably impressed with what i've seen from mysource matrix. one aspect that worries me though: looking at the admin interface screencast, it appears to rely completely on java and mouse interaction. as we do currently have one blind member of staff using a screen reader to do basic site updates/development (via custom web-based interface and, when necessary, a bit of Dreamweaver use), i'm wondering if the interface shown is either accessible (i.e. the same interface can actually be used, ideally without the need for java, and completely via keyboard - also any javascript AJAXy updates would be coded in an accessible manner), or if there is an alternative administration interface that fulfils that criterion? otherwise, it could well be a deal-breaker…

(Avi Miller) #2

The full Administration Interface isn't accessible at all, sadly. However, the Simple Edit interface could be accessible enough to do page-based updates. You could also create accessible asset builders to allow motion or visually impaired users to create new assets within the system. I suggest contacting Squiz Sales so that we can discuss the requirements for accessible creation/editing and see if MySource Matrix will be suitable for your organisation.

(Raena Armitage) #3

For what it's worth, I can think of a couple of screenreader-using customers who can use the backend interface just fine.

(Warwick Barnes) #4

We've had some discussion about the accessibility of the Matrix admin interface here lately. There's the keyboard shortcuts (http://manuals.matrix.squizsuite.net/concepts/appendices/keyboard-shortcuts) that make things a bit better, but overall the admin interface does appear to put a lot of strain on people if they're editing lots of web pages.


Has anyone else here evaluated the accessibility of the admin interface? Does anyone have any luck using it with Dragon NaturallySpeaking?



Thanks,



Warwick

(Nic Hubbard) #5

[quote]
We've had some discussion about the accessibility of the Matrix admin interface here lately. There's the keyboard shortcuts (http://manuals.matrix.squizsuite.net/concepts/appendices/keyboard-shortcuts) that make things a bit better, but overall the admin interface does appear to put a lot of strain on people if they're editing lots of web pages.



Has anyone else here evaluated the accessibility of the admin interface? Does anyone have any luck using it with Dragon NaturallySpeaking?



Thanks,



Warwick

[/quote]



I use Matrix 8 hours a day and don't have any issues. What are you wishing that it had?

(Warwick Barnes) #6

One thing I haven't been able to find is the keyboard shortcut for activating right-click in the asset map, or for activating the "Add" menu.


Another thing is switching back-and-forth between the asset map and the main part of the screen using a keyboard.



We've been experimenting with Easy Edit but are also finding it hard to switch between the various tabs (Details, Metadata, etc) using the keyboard. There's definitely the ability to use the tab key in some way, but it's hard to tell which screen element is currently the active one.



We'd like staff to have the option of using Matrix without having to touch a mouse, and to also be able to efficiently use the software via voice control (being able to speak the keyboard shortcuts).



Cheers,



Warwick