And I appreciate your efforts to get Flash developers on the usability bus. As responses above indicate, accessibility is really only available on the Windows platform. That’s not insignificant. Also, Flash content isn’t possible on some devices such as cell phones. Yes, I know newer devices cope, but *most* people don’t buy a new phone every six months. And folks with disabilities don’t regularly update their (often expensive) accessibility tools to versions that work with the improved Flash accessibility. Not to mention the people I see who are reluctant to update their Flash players for whatever reason.

Accessibility is not limited to screen readers for the blind. You mention that above but it bears repeating. I regularly work with screen reader users but additionally there are much larger numbers of people I meet with who are seeking full keyboard access, trying to minimize or eliminate use of the mouse for a variety of reasons apart from lack of sight. Until Flash player controls and content are inherently keyboard accessible and much more platform agnostic, I can’t be convinced it’s a good choice for primary presentation of content. (this goes for Ajax too, despite improvements in that arena)

Great article and debate!

Alex