Sun Microsystems' Accessibility Program is driven by the belief that designing to meet the needs of users with disabilities can improve the productivity of ALL users. Enhancements in StarOffice 7 software include accessibility features for users with poor vision, blindness, deafness, or impaired motor skills.
Sun supports Federal Government efforts to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, and StarOffice 7 software meets the requirements of Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Gives users the ability to perform all input via a keyboard, without using a mouse or other device.
Accessible documentation IMPROVED!
All user documentation (readmes, User Guide and Setup Guide) is provided in HTML and PDF formats so users can use screen readers and magnifiers to read the documentation.
Accessible Online Help NEW!
The online help provides information on how to use virtually all the accessibility features in StarOffice software. The online help is accessible itself, since users can access it using screen readers, magnifiers and onscreen keyboards.
Text selection cursor in read only text documents NEW!
Provides ease of navigation around read only text documents.
Use of System Color Schemes IMPROVED!
StarOffice software adapts to the color schemes and contrast display settings of the operating system. This is especially useful for users with visual impairments who modify the color and contrast settings for maximum visual contrast.
System Font & Color settings IMPROVED!
StarOffice 7 software can inherit the operating system font and color settings for text, tables, cells, paragraphs, pages and frames.
Optional suppression of animations NEW!
Reduce possibility of confusion by suppressing potentially distracting animations.
Developer Application Programming Interface (API) for Assistitve Technologies NEW!
Assistive tools such as screen magnifiers,as well as other tools, connect to StarOffice 7 software using the Java Accessibility API. The Java Accessibility API supports the most popular Assistive tools including:
JAWs Screen Reader (version 4.5 or higher)(Windows).
ZoomText Screen Magnifier (version 7.11 or higher)(Windows).
Gnopernicus Screen Reader and Magnifier.
GNOME On Screen Keyboard (GOK).
The Java Accessibility API provides the advantage of the ability to provide documentation in addition to technology integration
Support for Assistive Technologies NEW!
Ability to use StarOffice via alternative input devices giving users with physical disabilities access to all the functions of the software program.
Using screen magnification software, users with low vision can use StarOffice support for caret and focus tracking of the StarOffice application suite.
Using on-screen keyboards users can perform virtually all data input and commands via a mouse, without using a keyboard.
Using screen readers, blind users can use StarOffice with support for text-to-speech and Braille displays.
System Requirements
StarOffice 7 software and Accessibility
Windows
Microsoft Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP
Java v1.4.0_2 or v1.4.1_1 (for Java 1.4.1, Java Access Bridge v1.0.3 is required)
(to enable accessibility features only)
Linux
Linux Kernel version 2.2.13 or higher, glibc2 version 2.1.3 or higher
Installation of GNOME 2.0 (Community Release 2.0.2 or later) available from www.gnome.org
(to enable accessibility features only)
Java Runtime Environment v1.4.0_2 or v1.4.1_1 or higher
(to enable accessibility features only)
Solaris Operating Environment
Solaris 8 Operating Environment (SPARC® Platform Edition) or higher with patches 108434-04, 108773-13, 108435-04 (only 64 bit), 109147-14
Installation of GNOME 2.0 (Sun's GNOME 2.0 beta2 or later) available from www.sun.com/gnome
(to enable accessibility features only)
Java Runtime Environment v1.4.0_2 or v1.4.1_1 or higher
(to enable accessibility features only)
Read more about StarOffice 7 software!
