Getting Started

Microsoft Active Accessibility 2.0 is a set of COM interfaces and APIs that provides a reliable way to expose and collect information about Microsoft Windows-based user interface (UI) elements and Web content. Using this information, Assistive Technology Vendors can represent the UI in alternative formats, such as speech or Braille, and voice command and control applications can remotely manipulate the interface. Active Accessibility relies on Windows technology and can be used in conjunction only with Windows-based controls and other Windows applications.

This documentation is organized to meet the needs of developers new to, as well as those familiar with, Active Accessibility. The major sections of the documentation are described below:

Getting Started

Introduction to the Active Accessibility SDK and information about the SDK Components, Supported Platforms, and Active Accessibility and UI Automation.

Release Information

Notes about new features, known issues, and changes in behavior for this release.

Technical Overview

Overview of Active Accessibility and general guidelines for Active Accessibility client and server developers.

C/C++ Developer's Guide

In-depth information about the key Active Accessibility application programming interface (API) elements and concepts. Uses terms and examples familiar to C or C++ developers.

C/C++ Reference

A comprehensive reference for all the Active Accessibility APIs, data types, data structures, and messages.

Appendixes

Additional reference material for Active Accessibility client and server developers and Visual Basic developers.

For More Information

A list of references for more information about programming concepts, technologies, and resources.

Glossary

A reference for new or unfamiliar terminology used in Active Accessibility.