Assistive Technology for Pro Audio

Accessibility Resources

Software

Professional and non-professional audio editing and mixing tools, plus general computer accessibility software.

• Amadeus Pro: www.hairersoft.com

  Price/Compatibility

  $59.99
  Compatible with Mac OS X. Version 2.0.6 required for 10.8 or later.

  Purpose

  Amadeus Pro is a basic audio editor for the Macintosh platform. It supports the built-in Mac screen-reader. While not a professional digital audio workstation, it is regarded as the solid choice for basic audio needs.

  Web Validation

  WAVE shows no accessibility errors on this web site. Some of the links have ambiguous link text, which is poor practice. The surrounding content does make their purpose clear, however.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Much like GoldWave on the Windows platform, Amadeus is an inexpensive Mac-based audio editing software. It would be a good choice for someone with straightforward needs or could be used in a Mac classroom where it could serve both sighted and visually impaired students.

• GoldWave: www.goldwave.com

  Price/Compatibility

  $49 lifetime, $19 year
  Compatible with Windows (Windows 7 (64/32 bit), Vista (64/32 bit), XP, 2000) and Linux with Wine

  Purpose

  GoldWave is a basic audio editor for Windows and Linux. It is designed to fully support the JAWS screen-reader. While not a professional digital audio workstation, it is commonly regarded as the best choice for basic audio needs.

  Web Validation

  The WebAIM website accessibility evaluation tool WAVE finds no errors with the GoldWave website. However, the website could use some graphic design help. The color choices are a little garish and some of the link text is quite small.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  GoldWave is an inexpensive audio editing software that is surprisingly capable. It would be a good choice for someone with basic needs or for a Windows-based educational institution. It is not, however, suitable for the rigors of professional work.

• Pro Tools: www.avid.com

  Price/Compatibility

  $249 & up (systems range to $10k+)

  Compatible with Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (32- or 64-bit) and Mac OS X 10.6.8 or Mac OS X Lion

  Requires Avid-qualified PC or Apple Computer

  Purpose

  Avid's Pro Tools is the industry standard professional audio application. Avid also sells a range of hardware audio interfaces and control surfaces that integrate with the Pro Tools software.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds a multitude of errors, from missing alternate text to unlabeled links and links with unclear text. There are multiple links on the same page with the same text, such as 'buy now' or 'click to watch video'. These links all go to different locations.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Though Pro Tools is the industry standard audio workstation, Avid has been slow to incorporate accessibility into their application. In fact, a search of their website for terms like 'accessibility' or 'disability' finds no links relating to support of users with disabilities. For a full recounting of the history and current status, please see the Pro Tools accessibility page.

• VoiceOver OS X: www.apple.com/accessibility/voiceover

  Price/Compatibility

  Included with Mac OS X.7 (Lion)

  $29

  Purpose

  VoiceOver (now in version 3) is Apple's screen reader software built into Mac OS X.

  Web Validation

  Wave finds two instances of an image that is the only link content, yet there is no alt text. Fairly surprising that the primary accessibility page has accessibility errors.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  VoiceOver comes standard with every Mac at no additional cost. If an application was developed to support Apple's standards for VoiceOver, it will be accessible. No additional software needs to be installed, so a user with a visual impairment can work with any Mac, not just their personally configured system.

• Mac OS X: www.apple.com/accessibility/resources/macosx.html

  Price/Compatibility

  additional third party accessibility resources

  Purpose

  A collection of third party accessibility resources for the Mac OS.

  Web Validation

  Wave finds no accessibility errors. The page looks and functions fine even without styles.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  A great collection of resources for accessibility on the Mac OS platform. It is divided into hearing assistance, vision assistance, and assistance with speech and reading.

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Hardware

Hardware control surfaces that allow an audio engineer to interface with software more efficiently

• Icon: www.avid.com

  Price/Compatibility

  $25k and up. Required compatible Pro Tools system.
  

  Purpose

  The Icon consoles (D-Command and D-Control) are the flagship control surfaces for the Pro Tools digital audio workstation. They provide hardware controls and faders as well as direct control of plug-ins. Totally integrated with the Pro Tools application, they provide a vast hardware interface for the software.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds a multitude of errors, from missing alternate text to unlabeled links and links with unclear text. There are multiple links on the same page with the same text, such as 'buy now' or 'click to watch video'. These links all go to different locations.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Digital Audio Workstations are incredible powerful and complex computer applications and an operator will perform thousands of operations during the course of typical studio session. The use of any type of hardware, even keyboard shortcuts, drastically reduces the amount of time for each operation - therefore making the engineer much more efficient. An integrated control surface is the optimal hardware interface, and allows an engineer to perform many tasks and determine the state of many components of the system quickly.

• C24: www.avid.com

  Price/Compatibility

  $10k and up. Required compatible Pro Tools system.
  

  Purpose

  The C24 console is a lower level control surfaces for the Pro Tools digital audio workstation. Like the Icon, it provides hardware controls and faders as well as direct control of plug-ins. Totally integrated with the Pro Tools application, they provide a vast hardware interface for the software.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds a multitude of errors, from missing alternate text to unlabeled links and links with unclear text. There are multiple links on the same page with the same text, such as 'buy now' or 'click to watch video'. These links all go to different locations.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  While ultimately not as powerful, the C24 yield better price to performance. It is also much less complicated than the Icon series, which makes it easier for both sighted and visually impaired engineers to learn.

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Websites

Websites related to accessibility tools and techniques for audio engineers who are visually impaired.

Blind Computing (Goldwave Page): www.blind-computing.com/audio/pages/goldwave.html

Price

Free

Purpose

As the name suggests, this site provides a wealth of resources for computer users with visual impairments. Of particular interest is the Goldwave page, which provides a collection of MP3s of Goldwave training.

Web Validation

As expected, since it is designed for blind computer users, this site is completely accessible. Sighted visitors may find the lack of design and images unusual.

UDL/Strengths and Weakness

Training, in the form of MP3s, are useful for both sighted and visually impaired users. There is no transcript provided, however, so these resources would be inaccessible to a user with a hearing impairment. The site is also somewhat poorly organized and difficult to navigate, but a search engine is provided.

• Blind Geek Zone: www.blind-geek-zone.net

  Price

  Free; $15/hour for one-on-one training

  Purpose

  This site contains information and tutorials both for general computer accessibility and for some specific audio software. Many are in podcast (streaming audio) form, including Goldwave tutorials and demos and reviews of audio hardware and software.

  Web Validation

  As expected from a web site designed and operated by people with visually impairment, the site is complete accessible. WAVE finds a no errors. However, the color choices are a little garish and some of the link text is quite small. It also uses an animated gif image as a divider that can be distracting.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  As noted above, MP3 training is an almost universal resource. Besides the many free tutorials, the site author offers individual training via telephone or Skype.

• Blind Producers: Accessible Digital Audio: www.rickboggs.com/blind-engineers

  Price

  Free

  Purpose

  Rick Boggs is an actor, musician, speaker, and advocate for disability rights. He was active in the Pro Tools petition (see below). This site provides information for persons with visual impairment looking to start a career as an audio engineer or producer.

  Web Validation

  Generally accessible, though WAVE finds errors since no header structure is used. Some links are broken.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Rick Boggs, through this website and his public speaking, is an advocate for accessible audio engineering tools and equal opportunity for audio engineering careers for persons with visual disabilities.

• Pro Tools Petition: www.protoolspetition.org

  Price

  Free

  Purpose

  This site was the home to the 2006 petition which asked Digidesign to address the lack of accessibility for audio engineers with visual impariments in Pro Tools running under Mac OS X with VoiceOver. Since the petition was submitted, the site no longer accepts signatures. It does contain a brief history of the progress made after Digidesign began working on changes. However, the site was last updated in the fall of 2009.

  Web Validation

  Generally accessible, though WAVE finds errors related to Java scripts, skipped headers, and hidden content. The hidden content is the form for signing the petition, which is now closed.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Though the site appears to no longer be updated, it does provide a look into the history of Pro Tools accessibility and some of the technical challenges developers face. It also shows the frustrations users face when a tool necessary for their business is not accessibly. The Pro Tools Petition is a great demonstration of the power of community. The site still includes the contact information for the four primary petitioners. These users can be powerful resources in themselves, as I found in my interview with Slau Halatyn.

  See the Pro Tools page for a detailed history of Pro Tools accessibility.

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iOS applications

Applications design for iOS that run on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. These fairly inexpensive applications provide simple functionality.

• NumPad: edovia.com/en

  Price/Compatibility

  $2.99 for both iPhone and iPad

  Purpose

  This is an app that runs on an iOs device (iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad) and emulates the keypad of an extended keyboard via bluetooth. It requires a free app of the Mac to make the connection.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds 3 errors related missing or duplicate alt text and improper use of headers.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  This app attempts to overcome the limitation of having no numeric keypad on most Mac laptops. Useful for all users, whether sighted or visually impaired.

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Podcasts

Podcasts related to accessibility tools and techniques for audio engineers who are visually impaired.

• Signal to Noise: signaltonoise.podbean.com

  Price

  Free

  Purpose

  A podcast about all types of adaptive and assistive technology. Episode 8 focuses on accessible recording software for the Mac platform.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds multiple errors related to Java scripts, missing or duplicate alt text and hidden content. Since the important content is in the podcast MP3s, not the website, this is not terribly problematic.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Podcasts are accessible by both users who are sighted and users who are visually impaired. By sharing tips, tricks, and experiences, the podcast creators and their guests build a community of support for accessibility.

• VoiceOver On: www.voiceoveron.com

  Price

  Free

  Purpose

  VoiceOver On takes its name from the first spoken text that occurs when the Mac OS screen-reader VoiceOver is turned on. They bill themselves as a "Podcast about the good, the bad and the ugly of Apple accessibility." Apparently they have stopped recording new episodes as of December, 2011.

  Web Validation

  Wave detected 12 errors. These seem to be because it is built upon a word-press blog.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Hearing directly from users of audio software and their experiences with accessibility is a great way to understand potential pitfalls and learn effective workarounds. Episode 15 focuses especially on Pro Tools accessibility with VoiceOver.

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Low-tech

These are simple yet effective technologies that can ease accessibility for audio engineers who are visually impaired.

• Braille Label Maker: www.lssproducts.com (vendor)

  Price

  $30.95

  Purpose

  This device is used to make labels with raised Braille letters. Engineers with visual impairments can use these to label cables and wiring in studio.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds multiple errors on this vendor site. There are improperly ordered headers, images without alt tags, links without text, and there is no skip navigation link.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  The braille label maker includes both Braille and print letters, so labels may be created by both sighted and visually impaired persons. There is also a magnetic version, which can used to place labels on metal hardware.

• KB Covers: www.kbcovers.com

  Price

  $24.95

  Purpose

  KB Covers makes a wide range of vinyl keyboard covers, including some that provide high contrast, large print text.

  Web Validation

  WAVE finds a several errors related to Java scripts, and several images that are links without appropriate alt tags. Some headers are skipped.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  For users with partial visual impairment, a high contrast large print keyboard can make computing vastly more accessible. These keyboard covers can be useful for all users, and can be easily removed if a user does not like them. They also protect against spills/

• Loc-Dots (Locator Dots): www.abledata.com (vendor)

  Price

  $1.95 for a pack of 6
  Prodigy Products Company
  1823 Oakmont Road
  South Euclid, Ohio 44121
  United States
  Telephone: 216-381-0500.
  Web: No known web address

  Purpose

  Locator Dots (Loc-Dots as they are referred to) are an extremely simple assistive device. They are simply a clear sticker with a raised bump in the center designed to mark a control or button for easy access later.

  Web Validation

  Links are accessible and usable. WAVE finds a one minor error related to Java scripts, but all images have appropriate alt tags. Headers and skip navigation are used.

  UDL/Strengths and Weakness

  Audio engineers with visual impairments using a control surface will use loc-dots to mark commonly used buttons or other areas of the control surface.

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