Web²Access

Results for Type with Me

Description

This is an online rich text editor that allows people to share their writing and upload files. It differs from Google docs in that realtime collaborative editing can occur between teams. Authors can choose to have their writing in different colours.

On December 4th, 2009 the Etherpad blog said that the company had been acquired by Google. The updated blog, as a result of some lobbying, states that current users of the EtherPad site will be able to make new pads and there is no mention of only staying online till March 2010. The team are working to make it possible for people to use Google Wave. Chris Pirillo and Jake Warner have now "frozen the Etherpad code in time" and released it as Type With Me.

Accessibility Testing Results

This is an easy to use and mainly accessible rich text editor for collaborative writing. It is a pity the registration forms failed to be labelled! The site and editor worked well with NVDA although there were problems with Webbie users accessing the editor, although all the links worked. Instructions are clear and feedback good. Importing and exporting texts are all keyboard accessible.

#	Test	Score	Summary
1	Login, Signup and Other Forms Accessible		It is a shame the sign in edit boxes are well labelled but the registration edit text boxes lack labels but are accessible with a keyboard and well laid out.
2	Image ALT Attributes		Some images lack alt tags but they are not relevant to the meaning of the page and do not affect understanding.
3	Link Target Definitions		The links are good throughout the site although in the forums there are some repeated links and users may offer their own links.
4	Frame Titles and Layout		There are no frames and the site has good headings and titles.
5	Removal of Stylesheet		The website works well generally without a stylesheet and can be viewed in a text only browser
6	Audio/Video Features		This is a text only site for collaborative writing.
7	Video/animations - audio descriptions		This is a text only site for collaborative writing.
8	Appropriate use of Tables		Tables are not used to present data or for layout.
9	Tab Orderings Correct and Logical		Tab ordering is correct around the editor and the rest of the site - it is also possible to reach the editor eventually with judicious use of the enter button at the right time!
10	Page Functionality with Keyboard		The pages are keyboard navigable with a bit of work and using the enter button and down arrows etc.
11	Accessibility of Text Editors		Fully accessible rich text editor with keyboard controls and use of a screen reader.
12	Appropriate Feedback with Forms		Appropriate feedback is provided on all web pages
13	Contrast and Colour Check		There is some critical text that is in light grey but the majority of the text is good and colours have good contrast levels.
14	Page Integrity when Zooming		The forums and the text editor zoom well and are easy to read
15	Text size, style, blinking elements and Readability		The text within the editor is using a serif font but all other fonts are sans serif. Most fonts are around 10pt - default black on white.

Disability-Tailored Results

The following table shows how well the product performs for people with disabilities, as listed in the Disabilities section.

Percentages do not indicate how much of a site is accessible. They indicate the average figure of test results relevant to each disability. Select a disability to see which tests are relevant to it.

Activities you can do with Type with Me

• Group Discussion
• Text-based Editable Information
• Note Taking
• Collaborative Writing