Two options are available for use with bMail for users who are either blind or sight impaired: JAWS in conjunction with either the HTML or standard bMail interfaces, or another screen reader that supports the ARIA standard.
Before you begin
- All procedures for blind and sight impaired users are identical to normal bMail usage.
- Logging into bMail through bmail.berkeley.edu/ can be easily done using a screen reader as per normal.
- Confirm you are using Jaws v12 or above.
- Per Google, their mail service is much more accessible in later versions of the software.
To best configure bMail for blind or sight-impaired users
Option #1: Standard bMail Interface with JAWS or another ARIA compatible screen reader
- Log into bMail.
- Navigate to bmail.berkeley.edu.
- If prompted with the CalNet Authentication Screen, enter your CalnetID and passphrase as appropriate.
- Navigate to Google's Knowledge Base article, Using Gmail with screen readers (direct link).
- This article reviews a non-applicable sign in procedure, but also breaks down the bMail / Gmail page structure, navigation, reading messages, conversation lists and how to successfully perform other common tasks.
- Apply the information in the article as applicable.
- Log into bMail.
- Type Insert F7.
- This will bring up a links list.
- You can arrow up or down until you hear the link for Basic HTML.
- Or simply type the letter B.
- Press enter when you hear the Basic HTML option.
- If you are doing this for the first time you should set Basic HTML as a default.
- Type Insert F7 again for the links list.
- Search for the link Set Basic HTML as Default View.
- Press enter.
- Log into bMail.
- Navigate to bmail.berkeley.edu.
- If prompted with the CalNet Authentication Screen, enter your CalnetID and passphrase as appropriate.
- Navigate to Google's Knowledge Base article, Using the basic HTML view with a screen reader.
- This article reviews a non-applicable sign in procedure, but also breaks down the bMail / Gmail page structure, navigation, reading messages, conversation lists and how to successfully perform other common tasks.
- Apply the information in the article as applicable.
For additional assistance, contact CSS IT at 510-664-9000 and follow the prompts to reach a technician from between 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. A ticket may also be submitted through http://sharedservices.berkeley.edu/it/, by e-mailing bconnected@berkeley.edu or contact the UC Berkeley Assistive Technology Center at http://ets.berkeley.edu/help/assistive-technology