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AXS Library

What it is

Axs is a small Javascript library which provides methods which make it easier for web developers to implement modern Web 2.0 sites with accessible features. These methods are categorized into primary and secondary methods. Included in the library are:

Primary
  • axs.focus - Moves focus to any DOM object in addition to the normal form buttons, links etc.
  • axs.keyreg - Invokes any javascript function or method when the registered key combination is pressed.
  • axs.keychart - Generates a hidden but accessible table of key combinations and what they do based on the keyreg description.
  • axs.gdoc - ajax method to get or put data to or from a web server in real time
Secondary
  • axs.id - Shortcut for document.getElementById
  • axs.ids - Shortcut for document.getElementById.style
  • axs.r - Replace the content of an object with a string of new content
  • axs.gecn - Implements GetElementsByClassName method
  • axs.fd - Detects the version of flash installed
  • axs.hd - Detects if browser is running in high contrast mode
  • axs.md - Detects if MSAA is being used on the host machine
  • axs.flash_xoxo - Converts plain HTML xoxo into a Flash embedd
  • axs.ae - add a function or method to invoke when a particular object generates a particular event
  • axs.log - Create an on-screen timestamped log of text for debugging purposes
What's In the Package
readme.html Full documentation for the APIs
axs.js The library which makes it all happen
changelog.html List all the new fixes and features by version and date
keychart.html Shows available key combinations in different browsers
Demos
Keycap Uses keyreg, keychart, focus, gdoc, id, r and ae methods.
Get Elements By Class Name Uses gecn, log, id and ae methods.
Flash XOXO Uses flash_xoxo, id and ae methods.
High Contrast Detect Uses hc, r, id, and focus methods.
Flash Detect Uses fd and log methods.
MSAA Detect Uses md and log methods.

The easiest way to understand some of what the axs library does is to try out the demos listed above. A description of what each demo does can be found in the readme.html.

Download the whole Zip archive

Current version: 1.2

CSUN 2009 Presentation

You can access the slides from our presentation at CSUN 2009 which covers some basics of accessibility and how the Axs library helps to address various needs. The entire presentation is just HTML so no special applications are needed.

AXS Library License

Copyright (c) 2007-2009, AOL LLC

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

  • Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
  • Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
  • Neither the name of AOL LLC nor the names of its employees or of other contributors to this software may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

» Submitted by Developer Network on March 18, 2009 - 7:26pm.