JavaTM Accessibility

Java 2 SDK Contents

Java Accessibility API

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.

Java Accessibility Documentation

• Accessibility Enhancements in the Java 2 Platform, v1.4
• Accessibility Properties
• Java Accessibility API Specification

For More Information

• Java Accessibility Utilities
  The Utilities help assistive technologies take advantage of the Java Accessibility API.
• Java Access Bridge for Microsoft Windows
  The Java Access Bridge for Microsoft Windows makes Java applications visible to assistive technologies on Windows.
• Assistive Technology Defined
• The JFC Home Page
• Sun Microsystems' Accessibility Program

Copyright © 2002 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please send comments to: access@sun.com