Browser based alert/question dialogs have been replaced with Javascript overlays in version 8

Hello,
In version 8 I've noticed a couple of things.  First of all, Browser based alert/question dialogs have been replaced with Javascript overlays.  While I'm sure this is great for sighted folk, but for Window EYES users those alerts no longer speak any thing other than "OK", nor can I change focus to get it to read either, so any time a browser alert pops up I'm left in the dark. (pun intended)  Not sure if JAWS users are having this problem or not.

I noticed this after a fresh install on a new domain.  After configuring the site and getting it opened up, and having a couple of members joined, it was decided to turn on join by invite only.  Require validation was already on.  However, minds were changed and I went in and turned off invites, and that's when the problems started.  On the second page of joining where the username was selected and all that, in Firefox, anytime I tried to join the site by pressing the submit button an alert popped up that I couldn't read, and in IE clicking on the submit button did nothing.  I finally had to delete the entire site and start over by reverting back to v7.1.6, which I'm not to happy about.  From everything I've read I really like V8, but that's not the first issue I had with it.

Very puzzled here.  Can any one chime in here and comment?

Good that you raised the issue chipster. I'm sure that the staff will consider this with the same gravity that your other observations have elicited.

It is good to be reminded from time to time that we sighted folk look but often don't see!

Isn't this the same as the other issue with overlays, that can be resolved via setting that hidden option?

I have decided to promote some of the hidden options (8) to proper ones for an '8.1' release. 5 of them will be under an accessibility section. I'll try and sniff the browser to set defaults – i.e. if we detect a screenreader the config options will default to accessible.

I appreciate that having options for this smells a bit of segregation, which I'd rather avoid, however realistically most of them relate to what the admin will be doing (the primary use case overlays serves is allowing admins to upload attachments without a popup blocker effectively crashing Google Chrome).

I'll try and sniff the browser to set defaults - i.e. if we detect a screenreader the config options will default to accessible.

Ah, there's no way to do that unfortunately. But there should be no problem getting to the config to change the defaults once I've added the options.

Hi Chris,
Have i missed a thread some where that I can't find?

I'm not sure what hidden option you're refering to.

If you're talking about the ocCLE command,
I've executed that command, and it fixed the issue with the "Dynamic Block" insert in the editor, but not with the issue I describe in this thread.

Yes I was talking about that one. Maybe it's something else – any chance you can get a screenshot to me?

I meant to add, that by posting this thread it was in no way a complaint, but an observation.  ocPortal is still the most accessible CMS out there, and those of us that use a screen reader are quite used to small annoying things such as none speaking windows and such.  There are going to be issues that probably can never be rectified through the normal coarse of programming, though I have to say you guys try and as for my self thank you.  I wish every program I used was as accessible as ocPortal.  Both JAWS and Window EYES both have a scripting language feature that is designed just for the purpose of making non-speaking windows speak.  Unfortunately I don't know enough about programming to take advantage of that feature, but hey that's my loss.  I've just always seem to be too busy to take the time to learn it.  However, having been sighted before I understand the need to design for the masses, and the blind community is a small majority.  Believe me when I say that all us blind guys using ocP applaud all of your efforts and thank you.

hi Fletch,
I'm sure they will as well.  I thank you as well as the guys at ocProducts and the rest of the ocP community.  All of you have been great when it comes to helping and understanding the needs of us blind guys.  more often than not people think we need a hand out when all we're asking for is a helping hand in understanding.

Fletch said

Good that you raised the issue chipster. I'm sure that the staff will consider this with the same gravity that your other observations have elicited.

It is good to be reminded from time to time that we sighted folk look but often don't see!

chipster said

… more often than not people think we need a hand out when all we're asking for is a helping hand in understanding.

LOL!

I'll do my best to.

Chris Graham said

Yes I was talking about that one. Maybe it's something else – any chance you can get a screenshot to me?