Avast 7 breaks screen reader accessibility

[pbjandfritos]

Hello,

I have been a happy blind user of Avast for a few years now. However, I received an automatic program update to version 7. When I restarted my Computer, I found out that screen readers are not  usable with Avast! Please let the developers know. I am happy to test any beta software to see if it is accessible. If Avast does not fix this issue,  I would have to switch to another antivirus program. Please fix this issue soon.

Ernie

[avadas.de]

Hi,

which screen reader are you using?

[pbjandfritos]

Hello,

I am currently using Avast with Jaws for Windows, which is made by Freedom Scientific (http://www.freedomscientific.com).  In  addition, I  heard of another blind person who uses the Avast program with Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA). The screen reader can be found at http://www.nvda-project.org. Avast 7 does not allow one to tab around the screen like Avast 6 did. Also, it is hard to change settings. Hopefully you will come out with a future update to address this issue.

With kind regards,

Ernie

[mate1993]

Hello, I had the same problem. I updated avast to version 7, and when i reboot my computer, i can't use avast with NVDA screen reader. I can use Avast only with Jaws for windows in jaws cursor mode. Sorry for my bad english.

[avadas.de]

Hi,

we have a report from a Window-Eyes user, who could access the avast! user interface again, when disabling the avast! self protection (user interface -> settings -> troubleshooting). Could you give it a try, at least just for a test?

[pbjandfritos]

Hello,

I have tried what you have suggested, and and it did not improve accessibility with Jaws for Windows. However, the program is useable with the jaws cursor, however there are some major drawbacks such as in the settings window. Jaws does not tell you whether a box is checked or unchecked. Another area is the registration tab. When an individual tries to register, one must use the jaws cursor for the whole process and it does not tell you that your in a form. I hope you will forward these issues to the engineering teem and fix these issues in a future program update.


With kind regards,

Ernie

[ch.allen]

I have read several posts online and on the Avast 7 forums about Avast 7 not being accessible to screen readers. When I speak of lack of accessibility, I mean that Jaws does not automatically read any text on the screen, options are not announced when pressing the tab key, it is not possible to select and deselect checkboxes, and manually exploring controls and information with the Jaws cursor results in not having access to all of the information on a given page. After adding the the main Jaws executable file to the exceptions list in auto sandbox and behavior shield, I turned to disabling the self-protection module. Here are the steps I took for disabling and then re-enabling it again. I cannot guarantee that the sequence works 100% of the time, so try it at your own risk. It is also possible to complete the task independently of a sighted person. The steps may apply to other screen readers as well. I am using Jaws 13 with Avast Internet Security 7 on a Toshiba laptop running Windows 7.

1.   When Avast is opened, press alt e for settings.
2.   Use the Jaws cursor to verify that the "basic settings" tab with its options is showing.
3.   Press control shift tab.
4.   Verify with the Jaws cursor that the troubleshooting options are displaying.
5.   Press insert F4 to disable Jaws. It is not recommended to leave Avast to disable Jaws and then come back to the program.
6.   Press alt a, followed by space, followed by enter. You may need to press enter again.
7.   Press enter again and then turn Jaws back on again.
8.   Jaws should start automatically reading the Avast screen. If not, close Avast and then reopen the program.

To enable self-protection module
1.   From the Avast current status tab, press alt e to bring up settings. This time Jaws should be speaking as you press key combinations.
2.   Ensure that the basic tab is displaying, then press control shift tab to get to the troubleshooting settings.
3.   Tab six times.
4.   Turn off Jaws.
5.   Press space bar and then enter.
6.   Enable Jaws.

I am not quite sure why this process works. Please pass the information along to others who might benefit. I am not even sure if this is the correct forum on which to post It would be great to develop a Jaws script to simplify the steps that I have described.