These browsers work by interpreting HTML directly, thus getting around some of the problems caused by screen layout. Another important development will be the introduction of HTML4, which includes a number of enhancements that make it easier for a screen reader to interpret Web page content. For example, HTML4 will allow a long text description to be associated with any graphic. This description can be passed to the browser based on a user preference setting. During the second half of his presentation Geoff spoke about issues concerning multimedia content.
Multimedia presents accessibility problems for both deaf and blind users.
He first demonstrated some standard features of QuickTime that can be used to make imbedded movies more universally accessible. Making use of these features can assist everyone, not just users with special disabilities. NCAM together with Microsoft and the World Wide Web Consortium is also doing research on making content created with streaming multimedia tools accessible to all users. He responded that the current law was somewhat vague on the topic, however it is unlikely that design standards for Web content are likely to change much because of this, and that improvements to screen reader technology are the real key to improving on the current situation. A related question focused on the establishment of design standards or guidelines.