With the Java Accessibility API, developers can easily create
Java applications that are accessible to disabled persons. Accessible Java
applications are compatible with assistive technologies such
as screen readers, speech recognition systems, and refreshable braille
displays.
The Java Accessibility API (JAAPI) is one of the core parts of the Java Foundation
Classes (JFC). The JFC are a comprehensive set of graphical user interface
components and foundation services designed to simplify deployment of
Internet, intranet and desktop applications. The JAAPI makes GUI component
information available to assistive technologies,
giving users alternative presentation and control of Java applications.
Java Accessibility Utilities
The Java
Accessibility Utilities help assistive technologies take advantage of
the Java Accessibility API. The Utilities monitor events related to UI components.
They also help assistive technologies get additional information about a GUI,
such as the current position of the mouse, or the window that currently has
focus.
The Utilities are released separately from the JFC, but they can be downloaded
from the JFC Home Page.
Keyboard Navigation Support
The interactive user interface components provide a full set of
keyboard bindings that enable mouseless navigation, edit, and control
of the components. No special efforts are required of the developer to
enable these capabilities and if the developer so desires they can
easily change any keybinding.
Pluggable Look and Feel
The Java Foundation Classes implement a Pluggable Look and Feel
architecture. This architecture allows non-visual manifestations of a
user interface to replace or enhance the visual presentation of an
application. The expression of the user interface is separated from the
underlying structure and data of each individual component. This is
accomplished by separating the user interface of the component from its
model. The model of a component is the structure which encapsulates the
state and information that is presented to the user by the user interface.
More information on this architecture
can be found in The
Swing Connection.