OFF97: Accessibility Aids May Not Work with Office Programs

 Last reviewed: July 10, 1997
Article ID: Q169975
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Access 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Office Binder 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Outlook 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

Because of the design of the programs included in Microsoft Office 97, accessibility aids may not work with the programs listed at the beginning of this article. The "More Information" section of this article contains information about specific accessibility aids and how to obtain updated versions of these programs.

MORE INFORMATION

Accessibility aids are used by some people with disabilities. They include the following types of programs:

  • Screen readers for people who are severely visually impaired or blind
  • Screen magnifiers for people with low vision
  • On-screen keyboards and speech-recognition (dictation) software for people with limited dexterity
  • Keyboard enhancement utilities for people who have difficulty with standard keyboard behavior

The programs included with Microsoft Office 97 include a new system of menus and toolbars, collectively known as command bars. Because command bars are provided by each program, rather than by the operating system, earlier versions of accessibility aids may not work with these new command bars. However, command bars implement a new form of accessibility called Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA). MSAA greatly enhances the accessibility of command bars when used with accessibility aids that support MSAA.

The following sections provide information about specific accessibility aids for which Microsoft has been able to obtain information. Please note that this list is not comprehensive; information about other accessibility aids will be added as it becomes available.

JAWS for Windows 95, Version 2.0, by Henter-Joyce, Inc.

JAWS (Job Access for Windows) for Windows 95, version 2.0, does not work correctly with any of the programs included in Microsoft Office 97. For more information, contact Henter-Joyce, Inc., technical support. 

   Technical Support E-mail: jaws@hj.com
   Technical Support Phone : (800) 336-5658 (United States only)
                             (813) 528-8900
   Web Site Address        : http://www.hj.com/

SLIMWARE Window Bridge by Syntha-voice Computers, Inc.

Window Bridge for Windows 95 supports MSAA, so it should work correctly with all of the programs included in Microsoft Office 97. If you are using an earlier version of Window Bridge, you will need to upgrade to the Windows 95 version. 

   Technical Support E-mail: help@synthavoice.on.ca
   Technical Support Phone : (905) 662-0565
   Web Site Address        : http://www.synthavoice.on.ca/

Window-Eyes by GW Micro, Inc.

Window-Eyes for Windows 95 supports MSAA, so it should work correctly with all of the programs included in Microsoft Office 97. If you are using an earlier version of Window-Eyes, you will need to upgrade to the Windows 95 version. 

   Technical Support E-mail: support@gwmicro.com
   Technical Support Phone : (219) 489-3671
   Web Site Address        : http://www.gwmicro.com/

DragonDictate by Dragon Systems

DragonDictate version 2.5x works in a limited capacity with the programs included in Microsoft Office 97. You can use it to dictate and correct text, but it does not work correctly for other tasks. Dragon Systems is developing a new version of DragonDictate that supports MSAA; this new version is scheduled to be available sometime during the second or third quarter of 1997. 

   Technical Support E-mail: support@dragonsys.com
   Technical Support Phone : (617) 965-7670
   Web Site Address        : http://www.dragon-systems.com/

For More Information

For more information about accessibility aids designed for use with Microsoft products, visit the Microsoft Accessibility and Disabilities Web page at the following address: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/enable/
A catalog of accessibility products is available at the following address: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/enable/catalog.htm
The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: OFF97 XL97 WD97 ACC97 PP97 OL97 braille reader
review jfw
Keywords : kb3rdparty kbenable kbprb kbusage xlui
Version : 97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo

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Last reviewed: July 10, 1997
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