Microsoft Releases Accessibility Tools for Developers

Microsoft has introduced an online resource and two open-source accessibility testing tools for developers of accessible and assistive technology products. Microsoft is eyeing the growing demand for accessibility tools, driven by an aging work force and an increasing use of accessible technology.

The two new tools include the User Interface Accessibility Checker (AccChecker) and the UI Automation Verify (UIA Verify). These tools enable developers to test accessibility implementations and functionality in applications using Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) or Microsoft User Interface Automation (UIA).

The AccChecker has three variants a graphical user interface (GUI) tool for the initial investigations of UIs, a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) for creating automatic test cases, and a command-line tool for batch processing. The UIA Verify is a test automation framework that facilitates ad-hoc and automated testing of Microsoft UI Automation implementations.

Norm Hodne, lead of Windows accessibility at Microsoft, said: “We are helping to create a developer community that is focused on accessibility, and to improve the ability of developers around the world to share their experiences and build more accessible desktop, server, and web applications.”

Earlier this week, Microsoft released the Financial Services Office Business Applications (OBA) component library, which allows developers, partners, and financial services firms to assemble OBA components into custom applications built on Microsoft application platform technologies.