I am blind, and use JAWS For Windows, the leading screen-reading program. On the internet today, accessabillity of websites comes and goes. However, that has not been the case with Gmail and Google service in general. I started using Gmail on September 23, 2007, and have not even once had the slightest regret about it. From the sign-up process having audio word verification, to the service offering Pop and later IMAP access, to the partnership between Google and Freedom Scientific to ensure accessibility with JAWS, it all blew me away. For once in my life, checking my email via a web browser was easy, using your basic HTML interface. From a screen-reading perspective, I had the info I needed right on one page and easily accessible. Adding Imap access was just the icing on the cake for what was already a wonderful service. I am now able to check my email on my Freedom Scientific Pac Mate, the world's first PDA made specifically for users who are blind. I am able to manage messages via my Pac Mate or another laptop, and rest assured that my changes have been saved. Another excellent feature is message archiving. I've never been wild about the idea of deleting messages perminently, only because some day I could need those messages for a purpose. However, with message archiving, that is no longer a concern. I can keep my inbox clear but instantly get to the emails I need, and do so easily.
Michael Hansen, Student
Saint Charles, IL
Labels: keeping in touch