Using appropriate elements in blog posts

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Most often, I see blog posts where blogs without use of appropriate elements such as headings, tables etc. So thought let me write some tips that one should consider while writing a blog post.

  1. Never copy and paste from a word processing document or internet page
  2. Use appropriate heading structure if your post has sub sections; for instance, ideally, your post name would be heading level 1 and uses 
    <h1>

    so next level heading would be 

    <h2>

    and next level to 

    <h2>

    would be 

    <h3>

    and so on.

  3. If you insert an informative image; don’t forget to add text description to it. Sample code: 
    <img src="folder/filename.gif" alt="This is a sample image" >

    if you use an image that is for decorative purpose, provide a null alt attribute. Sample code:

    <img src="folder/filename.gif" alt="" >
  4. If you use a data table, use semantic markup including table summary, caption and associate headers. Sample table code: 
    <table summary="This table consist of HTML elements and their use">
<thead>
<tr>
<th> Attribute;</th>
<th> Description;</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>h1, h2, h3...</td>
<td >Headings </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>a href</td>
<td> Hyper link &lt/td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

    and here is the output:

    Attribute Description
    h1, h2, h3… Headings
    a href Hyper link
  5. Use appropriate list attributes: If you want to use an unordered list, use 
    <ul>
	<li>
<ol>

    attribute for ordered list. Here is the sample code:

  6. Unordered list: 
    <ul>
	<li>First bullet list item</li>
	<li>Second bullet list item</li>
	<li>Third bullet list item</li>
</ul>

    Output:

    • First bullet list item
    • Second bullet list item
    • Third bullet list item
  7. Ordered list: 
    <ol>
	<li>First numbered list item</li>
	<li>Second numbered list item</li>
	<li>Third numbered list item</li>
</ol>

    Output:

    1. First numbered list item
    2. Second numbered list item
    3. Third numbered list item

attributes and 

</ul>

More later! Enjoy writing effective blog posts!

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How to grab a career opportunity?

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This article is generic but also, include tips for people with disabilities.

A few years back, for people with disabilities, it was a big challenge to get an employment in spite having extreme qualifications and that was just due to lack of awareness. Employers were not sure, what kind of jobs they could offer to people with disabilities and not sure, if they had to make any modifications in work place and rules. Also, there were not many people with disabilities of such kind with good education.

But today, thanks to the advancement of technology, the scenario is almost changed and people with disabilities could pursue any education like their other counter-parts. Today, almost there is no limit to achieve, just one should have a dream! There are people with disabilities, who are entrepreneurs, IT professionals, Pilots, Executives, consultants, and that too in any industries including, Banking, Education, Insurance, Telecommunication, Airlines, medical and anything for that matter!

Also, perspective of employers too changed, today, employers are willing to employee anyone with suitable skill set, dedication and commitment. Also, in some industries, although, there are employers willing to hire people with disabilities, unfortunately, some times, there are no candidates who would be suitable for the requirement. Here are a few quick tips that a potential employee should consider:

  • Make a strong decision of the industry you would want to build your career
  • Watch industry for the current trend and market
  • Analyze, if you have all the qualities that an industry would look for
  • If there is lack of any skills, get trained
  • Make a presentable resume
  • Apply for the positions only you would be interested and if you have desired skills
  • Prepare well before going for the interview
  • Make sure, you will carry all the desired documents
  • Make sure, you will do a gain basic information about prospective employer such as their industries, culture, values etc.
  • Be sure to reach interview venue well on time
  • If you would be in need of assistive technology, be open to inform your needs; it’s not necessary that employer would be aware of assistive technologies, but they would surely understand, if you explain

More tips soon. Good luck for better prospects!

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How social networking is useful?

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It’s been some time, whole world talk a lot about Social Networking. I thought let me share my personal experience with different social networks.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional social networking site and I think, almost every professional use it a lot. Using LinkedIn, one can find people in relevant industry, career opportunities, get information about events of interest, get and share knowledge through it’s groups and much more! Here is how I got benefited by LinedIn:

When there was an opportunity at Yahoo!, a hiring Manager connected with me on LinkedIn and asked if I know anyone in the area of accessibility and would be interested to lead their accessibility initiatives at Yahoo! India R & D. I have forwarded a few contacts including my own profile. Further, things ran into regular job selection formalities and I got into Yahoo! India R & D to lead the accessibility efforts!

Join me on LinkedIn

Yahoo!

Yahoo! has a such a powerful platform, once you change your status, it will reflect across your Yahoo! networks, including Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! Pulse etc. Not only that, Right from Yahoo! Home page, you can access to any site you would want by adding them to your favorites on Yahoo! Home page. In addition, right from Yahoo! Mail or Yahoo! Pulse, you can share your updates with Facebook External Website.

Connect me on Yahoo! Pulse External Website

Twitter

Twitter is a micro blogging site and today’s it becomes very powerful sharing tool on the world wide web! Using Twitter, one can:

  • Share what you think in a short message
  • Stay tuned to the people or industry you may be interested in
  • Spread a news or new development in your life, business or anyting
  • You can re-tweet the thoughts of people you follow
  • Make a quick notes of a conference

Here is an additional benefit and let me explain how I used it; while I was in any conference, either if I want to meet someone or they want to meet me or even know where I am, it’s difficult to pick the phone and call while we are in midst of too many people. The best solution we have used to send a Direct Message!

Follow me on Twitter External Website

This post is being updated… please check back.

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Touching Poem

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Thanks to my friend, Firoz who posted below into a mailing list!

I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn’t drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I’d get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet..

I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn’t see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
“The other guy is drunk,” Mom,
And now I’m the one who will pay.

I’m lying here dying, Mom….
I wish you’d get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon..

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I’ll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn’t drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn’t think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I’m feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don’t think it’s fair.
I’m lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put “GOOD BOY ” on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I’m becoming very scared.
Please don’t cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn’t drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

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How the visually impaired can use a Computer?

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Most often, people have a question – can a blind person use a computer? If so, do they need a special keyboard or a special computer?

Before answering this question, let me take an example of a typist who never looks at the keyboard but can type with speed and accuracy. How is it possible? Practice! Yes, it’s the same in case of people with vision impairment. They just need to be trained. They do not require a special computer – all that they need is assistive technologies.

Firstly, let us understand that vision impairment is of two categories:

  1. Total Blindness
  2. Low vision

Read Definition of blindness External Website

A person who is totally blind would be able to use the computer with the help of screen readers External Website or Refreshable Braille Display External Website.

A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen (or, more accurately, sent to standard output, whether a video monitor is turned on or not). This interpretation is then presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology (AT) potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, illiterate or learning disabled.

A Refreshable Braille Display or Braille terminal is an electro-mechanical device for displaying Braille characters, usually by means of raising dots through holes in a flat surface. This would be useful to those who are blind or deaf-blind.

Because of the complexity of producing a reliable display that will cope with daily wear and tear, these displays are expensive. Usually, only 40 or 80 Braille cells are displayed. Models with 18-40 cells exist in some notetaker devices.

A person with low vision would have to opt to use screen magnification software that allows the user to increase / decease the size of elements, change the contrast, use variety of mouse pointers etc.

With the help of these kind of assistive technologies, users with vision impairment can use almost all the applications in any computer such as word processing, spread sheets, presentations, internet, email clients, web designing tools such as Adobe Dreamweaver, programming tools like Visual Basic, .net, database management systems etc.

Although, they rely on audio output, they can work at an amazing speed! All this is possible since assistive technologies provide them the flexibility to read only the information they require. Let’s look at an example of how one can navigate through a web page using a screen reader – Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) External website – a free and open source screen reader.

  1. Press “Windows” logo key to activate the Start menu
  2. Activate option “Run” and type the choice of application e.g. Firefox
  3. Once the Firefox application starts, press “Alt + D” to access the address bar
  4. Type choice of URL, e.g. http://www.yahoo.com

Now let’s understand how the screen reader actually reads. There are several ways to navigate the page using screen reader:

  1. By using the down arrow key to read the entire page.
  2. By using the “Tab” key to browse through the elements such as links and hit enter to activate the desired element.
  3. By using quick navigational keys such as H and Shift + H for headings, K and Shift + K for links, F and Shift + F for form fields, G and Shift + G for graphics, etc.

Also, most of the screen readers such as NVDA offer list of elements in a dialog box such as with NVDA, by pressing Insert + F7, user can revoke elements list box that consist of links, headings and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks.

As explained above, users will have a lot of flexibility with these assistive technologies and can perform operations at a rapid speed!

Some of the popular screen readers:

Tip: If you are don’t have time to download the screen reader, but need a screen reader to surf the Internet, just visit Web Anywhere External Website and type the web address, and it will read aloud for you!

Now, let’s talk about people with low vision. Around 60% of people with low vision do not possess enough level of vision to see the monitor and for some, this vision may not be stable. Hence they prefer to use screen readers to avoid strain of the eyes. But the other set of low vision users use Screen magnification software to use the computer. Some of the feature that a screen magnifier have are:

  • Zoom-in and zoom-out the screen
  • Set the desired contrast for foreground and background
  • Increase and type of the mouse pointer
  • Adjust the speed of mouse pointer
  • Some have screen reading feature as combination

Some of the popular screen magnifiers:

To conclude, with the help of assistive technologies, a person with vision impairment can use computer for everything like any other user!

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Online Banking Exam and need of a scribe?

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Today, I saw a posting on one of the mailing lists in India requesting for a scribe to write an examination for visually impaired. There’s no surprise in it, but what made me to feel surprised is that the candidates has to appear a bank examination conducted online!! If the examination is conducted online, why should there be a need for a scribe?

While I have investigated further, I am yet to get complete information but it appears either bank examination centre do not equip with Assistive Technologies or Examination system is not accessible and hence candidate is looking for a scribe!

I feel, at such scenario, the change needs to come at both bank authorities, candidate and individual / organizations who would be putting efforts to help respective candidate.

As far as bank is concerned, they should ensure to provide assistive technologies to the candidate. I know, some of the assistive technologies like JAWS External Website, that most users are comfortable but the software is expensive. One way to deal with this is to use evaluation copy of the same, if examination do not exceed 40 minutes. If not, bank should provide open source screen reader NVDA External Website, that is equally a powerful screen reader.

Second thing banker should ensure that examination system is accessible as per Web Content Accessibility Guidelines External Website and comply with Guidelines for Indian Government Websites External Website.

As far the candidates are concerned, they should be comfortable in taking up online exams and be able to explain the authorities about assistive technologies. Most often, bank authorities would be willing to make necessary accommodation, but they would not aware of about advancement of technologies.

Today, unfortunately, most of the visually impaired candidates are not comfortable to take up online exams and it’s due to lack of qualitative training, although, there are several organization claim they impart computer training, it’s sad that except a very few of them, most organization do not have quality training programs. So again, I would urge that all the organization working in the disability sector need to keep track of advancement of technology and offer appropriate training programs.

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My experience at Puttaparthi

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Recently, I have visited Prashanthi Nilayam, Ashram of Sri. Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. What a beautiful campus it is. However, I do have a mixed experience but more of the positive side. Let me share what I felt.

Firstly, I thank my sister-in-law Mrs. Subbalakshmi and her daughter Chi. Teju, who had come all the way from Vizag and insisted me to come and see them since I live just about 4 hours away by road.

I have investigated the route and did a good amount of research on their website to learn as much information as possible about the Trust, culture, facilities available, bus route etc. After my work, I boarded a bus and reached Puttaparthi about 9:00 PM (India Time) and approached security personnel to help me find accommodation with the Ashram. This is perhaps only area I would like trust to bring improvement. As per their Accommodation page, devotees who reach the Prashanthi Nilayam after office hours, accommodation will be provided in the documentaries. Extract from the website:

Arrival at non-office hours: For Indian devotees who arrive in Prasanthi Nilayam during non-office hours (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.), accommodation will be provided for a day in the dormitories, as allotted by the Sevadal volunteers at the Ashram entrance. These devotees are required to report to the Accommodation Office later during office hours and collect their accommodation receipt in order to extend their stay in the Ashram.

However, when have reached the Prashanthi Nilayam’s security office, I was informed that the content on the website is old and, now they no longer be able to make any arrangements and I need to look for a stay outside the campus. But it would be really helpful, if they continue to offer temporary accommodation for people who reach the Ashrama during non-office hours.

I was lucky enough to find a room for Rs. 250/- day, really a good accommodation and quite close to Ashrama. Later I met my sister-in-law and dear Teju and next problem is to find a hotel for my meal. It’s so happened that none of the hotels are opened except one small hotel who was also supposed to close the day. But he was kind enough to make a fresh rice for me! Here, my observation is that it would be great, if hotels do have some provision to offer some meal to the customers.

Next day morning, my sister-in-law left for Amma Gayathri temple quite early to light the lamps. Around 7 AM, Teju, her friend and myself proceeded towards temple. I must say, whole temple campus so peaceful and I think, I will spend most of my future holidays there. Firstly, we have taken darshan of Ganapathi, then proceeded to have breakfast. One needs to buy a set of coupons from accommodation office and each would cost around Rs. 2/-. Just with 2 such coupons, you will get a tasty and handful of breakfast. Volunteers greet us and talk to us very politely and help in all the ways we need. Very impressive.

Further, we have proceeded to Kulvantha Mandiram, darshan hall of His Holiness, Shri. Sathya Sai Baba, after the security check, since I’m a person with low vision, volunteers helped me to get inside and sit in the first row. There were about a few hundreds or perhaps, a thousand plus devotees, who had come-in yet, darshan hall was simply quite and there was no bit of noise. This is something I liked most and should be implemented in all devotional places.

Once all the devotees came in, vydic chanting was started followed by devotional songs (Bhajan). Sound system was awesome! Sri. Sai Baba came to the darshan hall and interacted with quite a few of us and showed solutions to some of their problems.

The best part I liked is they maintain a strict rule in the campus that no one should make any noise or speak aloud. This doesn’t mean that you should not talk to next person, you may feel free to do so, but your volume of voice should not disturb others.

Further, I have visited their Trust’s central office and interacted with the personnel and they have a variety of programs, colleges and universities and all that observed is they work with whole lot of dedication and offer best services.

I’m planning to have a second round of discussion and to see how some disability related activities can be started under the banner of Sri. Sathya Sai Trust. Watch this space for updates.

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How would I want to see disability organizations in India? – a personal prospective

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Disclaimer: Views expressed on this post are of my personal and does not reflect views of my employer and do not intend to hurt anyone.

In general, disability organizations play an innovative role in the rehabilitation process of persons with disabilities. Let’s analyze the situations for last two decades.

Early 90′s there was almost no awareness towards disability and when someone see a disability, they just show sympathy towards them and go away. Lately, a few organizations started working to rehabilitate people with disabilities by providing self employment activities such as re-caning of the chairs, candle making etc. Late 90′s a few organizations started teaching how to use Coputers with assistive technologies such as screen readers but at a very basic level such as word processing. Then the problem was where to get employment for them. Those days, I have seen many companies who didn’t even let people with disabilities appear for the interview. Seen so circumstances, where people called in for interview, but actually, when they reach respective office, they have been sent back by security personnel by saying “you are blind, you cannot attend an interview”.

I must say, 2000 onwards there is a rapid development in the araa of technology and there’s almost nothing that a person with disability cannot do. They can write software, work in banking sector, corporate industry, education sector and you name it, they work on it. Even there is a blind person who is a pilot, there are people with mobility impairment, who design fantastic graphics, there are blind people who does the photography. What more, people who are deaf blind uses computer… What a rapid development.

On the other side, the problem is that in spite having enough technology that a person with disability can work with the integral community, most of the office infrastructure and intranet is not accessible. Hence, many people do not get jobs that they can actually perform.

In my humble opinion, it’s the responsibility of all of us including the disability organizations to create awareness about accessibility and assistive technologies. This is the space where NGOs need to be more active and desciminate information about accessibility and keep track of the progress. For instance, National Federation of the Blind does a fantastic work in this space where they go and sensitize companies towards accessibility and as well they file law suits on issues related to accessibility.

So folks, this is what kind of NGOs I would like to see in India! I want organizations to move on from the history and run main stream activities.

Can I see this change? comments welcome.

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How to send an email using Yahoo! Mail

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Hello All:
I have received a few requests that they would like to know how to send an email using Yahoo! Mail using Screen reader and thought let me share with everyone. In the below explanation, I have used Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) as my screen reader; however, they should work in the same with other screen readers.

  1. Log in to Yahoo! Mail using user name and password
  2. Choose Button “New” and press space bar to activate
  3. Press “E”till you reach “To” edit box and type the E-mail address of the recipient
  4. Press Tab and you will reach “CC” and here you can type email address of the recipients you may wish to copy. Use semi-colin to seperate each email address if you are sending to more than one recipient.
  5. Press tab and write the subject of your message in “Subject field”
  6. Press Tab and you will find “Attach files” press space to activate if you want to attach files to your email and do the following:
    1. Activating “Attach file” will lead you to a new page; Press H to reach heading that says “Attach files”
    2. Press Tab and you will find “Browse” – press space bar to activate and this will open “File upload” dialog box
    3. Select the file you wish to upload and active “Open” button and now you are back on “Attach file” page on Yahoo! Mail. If you wish, you can attach more files using the browse buttons in fields given
    4. Once you are done selecting files you want to attach, press tab till you reach button “attach files” this will take a few moments and lead you back to “compose Mail” page
  7. Press tab key and reach “Message body” field and type your message
  8. Once you are done, press tab key and activate “Send” button to send the email.

If you have any questions, come and discuss with us on Y-Accessibility Group

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CSUN 2010

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CSUN 2010 is another great conference in area of accessibility and assistive technologies at San Diego, CA from 22nd March through 27th March, 2010.

Be there to meet our Yahoo! team and see our presentations. Also, there would be some surprise waiting for you.

Hope to see you there.

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