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If you are a screen reader user and also a user of the Mozilla Firefox
web browser, please pay close attention to the following information. Do
not update to the soon to be released Firefox 57. This upgrade represents
such a significant technical and performance change that it’s going to be
known as Firefox Quantum. The changes in Firefox Quantum are designed to
improve the speed and security of the browser. This, unfortunately, also
impacts on the user experience for screen reader users, most screen
access software is completely incompatible with Firefox Quantum and those
that still function will exhibit a serious deterioration in performance.
At this stage, the National Federation of the Blind access technology
team, VFO and NV Access are all recommending that users switch to using
Firefox’s Extended Support Release (ESR) version in order to have the
latest browser security features and to avoid 57 until it is suitable for
use with screen readers.<br>
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You can
<a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/">
download Firefox ESR here</a>.<br>
<a href="http://blog.freedomscientific.com/2017/10/25/important-information-for-users-of-mozilla-firefox/">
Freedom Scientific Statement on Firefox Quantum</a><br>
<a href="https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-halloween-2017-edition/">
NV Access statement on Firefox Quantum</a><br>
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Eric Duffy<br>
Director of Access Technology<br>
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2401 | EDuffy@nfb.org<br>
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The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every
day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <br>
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