"Developing Accessible E-learning using Flash" Workshop

I attended a fantastic workshop yesterday titled "Developing Accessible E-learning using Flash". It was conducted by Shilpi Kapoor - Director, Net Systems at Gateway Hotel, Bangalore.

The first session talked about "What is Accessibility", "What is Disability" and "Kinds of Disability and aids available for them". We also learned what the hinderence are for the challenged people in learning environment specifically, E-Learning. We were also shown the different Assertive Technology (AT) tools such as Screen Readers, Tectile diagrams and Braile manuscripts.

In the next session we learned about the laws related to Accessibility across the world (i.e. US, UK, and Australia). It also included the laws related to the learning environment for challenged people, like Article 504, and the famous Article 508 of the US laws. I was surprised to know that laws for Accessibility also exist in India.

In the last session we learned about how to implement Accessibilty in our e-Learning courses developed using Flash. The learning also included the steps/precautions to make e-Learning courses accessible. This session was quite an eye opener for me primarily because I have been developing e-Learning apps in Flash for quite some time now.

Shilpi, I would like to thank you for the session and the support but more importantly for making us feel how lucky we are. You make me realize that disability is just a state of mind and we all carry some sort of it.

We all carry disablities but one who can recognise his/her own disabilities and help himself and others overcome them will be an "Able" person for me. As of me for now, I still have a long way to go!

AJAX + Flash = Google Finance

Google recently launched a new flash and AJAX based RIA called the Google Finance. It's really a path breaking step in the RIA development sector. Just having a company like Google endorse RIA’s is a huge boost for the RIA movement.

The UI and functionality are pretty impressive. The Stock chart is linked to the headlines, so if you select a sudden drop in the share price, the headlines change to correspond to the dates of the drop. Really cool!!!

Best Practices for ActionScript 2.0 and Flash 8

Adobe (formerly Macromedia) has released the Best practices documents for ActionScript 2.0 and Flash 8.

These guidelines will help formalize and standardize the AS coding and Flash development process and also help reducing inconsistency and confusion.

ActionScript 2.0 Best Practices
Flash 8 Best Practices

Happy Holi

Wish you all and your family a very happy and a colorful Holi.

May this holi brings and adds lots of color to our lives.

Jessica Lal case...stand up and make a difference!!

I have just read and signed the online petition:"Retrial in Jessica Lall Murder Case" hosted at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/retrial/

It is really disgusting to see how somebody with money and power can get away with all the wrong doings. Witnesses turned hostile, end result...the guy coming out clean...is this democracy, or is it the mockery of it?

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.

Flash Forward Winners

Flash Forward 2005 which took place in Seattle has announced the Festival Winners. Flash Forward no doubt features some of the best work in Flash across the world.

Some of the categories includes Application, Art, Cartoon, Commerce, Educational, and Experimental.

You can view all the work of the winners here.