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      Java Access Bridge

      What is Java Access Bridge and how do I install it?

      Java Access Bridge is a technology that exposes the Java Accessibility API to Microsoft Windows, enabling Assistive Technologies like SuperNova to successfully interact with Java based programs. The Java Accessibility API is part of the Java Accessibility Utilities toolkit.

      In order for SuperNova to provide access to Java applications, SuperNova needs some way to communicate with Java Accessibility Utilities. Java Access Bridge supports this communication, providing the pathway between the Java program and SuperNova.

      To learn more about Java Access Bridge and to find instructions on downloading and installing this utility, please select the following link:

      Install Java Access Bridge

      Once Java Access Bridge is installed, you then need to tell SuperNova to use the Java Accessibility Map file with your Java application, for example, Matlab.

      To do this:

      1. Run the Java application and ensure it has the current focus.
      2. Press LEFT CONTROL + SPACEBAR. The SuperNova Control Panel opens.
      3. Press ALT + F. The "File" menu opens with the "New" menu item selected.
      4. RIGHT ARROW to open the sub-menu, then DOWN ARROW to "Map" and press ENTER. The "Select Map File" dialog box opens.
      5. Use the Arrow Keys to select the "Use an existing map file" option, then TAB into the list of map files and select "Java Accessibility".
      6. TAB to the "OK" button and press SPACEBAR. SuperNova associates the map file with the Java application. You need to only do this process once.

      Now you are ready to use the Java application.

       

      To test Java application compatability with SuperNova, please try the following:

      1. Open the Java application in the background.
      2. In the Java Access Bridge folder, you will find an application called JavaMonkey. Open this. You can explore this by selecting "File", then "Refresh Tree". If the app has compatability, it should populate the tree with the various elements. If it does not, the Java application has not been written with accessibility in mind, and accessibility programs cannot read the Java application.
      3. In the Java Access Bridge folder, you will find an application called JavaFerret. Open this. In the "JavaEvents" dropdown menu, select "Track Focus Events" and "Track Caret Events" to ensure there is a tick by each of them. In the "AccessibilityEvents", select all items to ensure there is a tick by each of them. Return to the Java application, and the  JavaFerret program should update. If it does not, the Java application has not been written with accessibility in mind, and accessibility programs cannot read the Java application.

       

      Note: At the point of this article's creation, the version of Java Access Bridge is v2.02 and the SuperNova Java Accessibility Map file is v1.06.

      Information for programmers on the Java Accessibility API is available from the following web page: Java Accessibility API Guide from Oracle.