Refresh Havoc

Refresh Example

This example demonstrates the effect changing text has on the text-reading engine of WindowEyes specifically. JAWS is able to satisfactorily handle this effect. As words (rendered as text in Flash) are brought into view, a "refresh" command is issued, causing WindowEyes to begin reading from the top of the screen again. As the text merely reinforces what is in the main paragraph, the designer should consider the necessity of including this effect, or designing the effect utilizing some other method, such as rendering the changing text as graphics.

Refresh Example with Graphical Text

In this example, the text involved in the effect is rendered as graphics, rather than as text, in Flash. As a graphic is not an element that is read by a screen reader, the refresh command is not issued, and both JAWS and WindowEyes are able to read through the entire screen without starting over. The text in the effect, as graphics, are ignored by the screen reader. It should be noted that the text in the animation merely reinforces what is written in the paragraph.

Refresh Example with a Bouncing Ball

With this example, a paragraph of text is displayed with a bouncing ball underneath it. As this looping animation is rendered with only graphics in Flash, no refresh command is issued, and the screen reader, both JAWS and WindowEyes, is able to successfully read what is on the screen from beginning to end. The bouncing ball animation is ignored by the screen reader.