Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Thank you for an education (self.Blind)
submitted by T2TMUD
I am a developer on a text-based Tolkien-themed online game ($1
), and recently I have been leading an effort to improve the accessibility of our game for visually-impaired players. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to those of you here for making that README for sighted visitors and other great links available in the Other Resources panel.
By going through those resources I learned a great deal about the work I was trying to do, and also how to better communicate with our VI players about what would work better for them. Instead of assuming, I asked and listened, and even tested my changes using a screenreader to be sure of how they would be parsed and interpreted.
Great progress has been made in making our game more accessible and screenreader-friendly, and the information you have shared here was a great help. Thank you!
), and recently I have been leading an effort to improve the accessibility of our game for visually-impaired players. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to those of you here for making that README for sighted visitors and other great links available in the Other Resources panel.
By going through those resources I learned a great deal about the work I was trying to do, and also how to better communicate with our VI players about what would work better for them. Instead of assuming, I asked and listened, and even tested my changes using a screenreader to be sure of how they would be parsed and interpreted.
Great progress has been made in making our game more accessible and screenreader-friendly, and the information you have shared here was a great help. Thank you!
TwoSunsRise 4 points 1y ago
Thank you for taking the time to learn and make your game more accessible! I'm curious what screen reader you tested with?
T2TMUD [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I have been testing most of the changes with NVDA, and then working with a couple of our VI players to get their feedback as well.
The first step we did was add an "accessibility" setting that people using screenreaders could turn on.
Then we worked to add alternate plain text descriptions in commands, areas and quests that use ASCII art displays.
We're also working to tweak outputs of tabular data, with multiple data items separated by columns and spaces, to add a comma after each piece of data so the screenreader will pause before moving on to the next label. I had never considered that but when I listened to it via NVDA it was clear that a simple comma greatly improved the output, especially at higher speeds.
That's a lot more than you asked, but there it is anyway.
The first step we did was add an "accessibility" setting that people using screenreaders could turn on.
Then we worked to add alternate plain text descriptions in commands, areas and quests that use ASCII art displays.
We're also working to tweak outputs of tabular data, with multiple data items separated by columns and spaces, to add a comma after each piece of data so the screenreader will pause before moving on to the next label. I had never considered that but when I listened to it via NVDA it was clear that a simple comma greatly improved the output, especially at higher speeds.
That's a lot more than you asked, but there it is anyway.
TwoSunsRise 3 points 1y ago
Yes! Even small things like pauses make a big difference for the visually impaired. Thanks again for actually using screen readers to test your code.
T2TMUD [OP] 3 points 1y ago
It's really a different way of approaching how we code the game, and now that we're aware of it, these things can be worked into the standards that all coders follow for new areas. This MUD has been at it for 27 years with all volunteer coders, but there is still active development going on for new areas and features. It is a labor of love, and personally I love being able to make it more accessible.
TwoSunsRise 2 points 1y ago
That's awesome, such a cool way to use yalls talents. In the tech world, 27 years is a long time!
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
Well done! I hope you know how to change the voice to something you can stand ;)
T2TMUD [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I just switched it to Microsoft Zira, and increased the rate quite a bit.
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
nice! There's also microsoft george in the windows 10 core voices, go to NVDA/preferences/settings.
Then down arrow once, then tab to change or press alt+h and arrow down to microsoft windows 10 core voices and press enter, then find voice microsoft george.
Also, rate boost is a thing but I'd recommend turning that on then slowing the speech down to what you feel is a nice speed.
Then down arrow once, then tab to change or press alt+h and arrow down to microsoft windows 10 core voices and press enter, then find voice microsoft george.
Also, rate boost is a thing but I'd recommend turning that on then slowing the speech down to what you feel is a nice speed.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Rethunker 3 points 1y ago
Thank you for reading the Other Resources! It's great to know you took advantage of those, and it's an affirmation that someone willing to learn more can make a start there.
T2TMUD [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Your README for sighted visitors was the most useful of all. Reading that changed how I was approaching this project.
Rethunker 2 points 1y ago
Glad to hear it! And thank you!
[deleted] 3 points 1y ago
Thank you for everything you've done! This project sounds so cool.
T2TMUD [OP] 2 points 1y ago
It has been an enjoyable project to work on! I was told by one of our VI players that our game was already a lot better, accessibility-wise, than others they had tried, so we started from a decent place.
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
I'll be trying it later today, I recently went blind so this is my first MUD
T2TMUD [OP] 2 points 1y ago
MUDs are entirely text-based, and it can take a little getting used to the syntax of commands and such, but we have a strong community of helpers who are happy to assist and answer questions. I recommend going through the tutorial process which teaches you basic commands, and I would very much value hearing your feedback about the new character creation and tutorial process.
There is a lot of text that gets presented, and it can sometimes be a little overwhelming for new players, and especially for those using a screen reader. We are looking at ways to improve the tutorial process to make it less linear.
My screen name is Osse on the MUD, use the 'tell' command to say hello once you are through the tutorial!
There is a lot of text that gets presented, and it can sometimes be a little overwhelming for new players, and especially for those using a screen reader. We are looking at ways to improve the tutorial process to make it less linear.
My screen name is Osse on the MUD, use the 'tell' command to say hello once you are through the tutorial!
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
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