We have a couple of additional notes to pass on regarding the Safari 4 Public Beta which we reported on yesterday.

In this public beta, anchored (AKA same page) links are properly accessible with VoiceOver. These links, when clicked, typically move focus to a specific place on a web page and were inoperative previously for VoiceOver users. This is a huge improvement.

A lack of support for Multiselect list boxes with VoiceOver was a common complaint among users. We are pleased to note that multiselect list boxes are now working properly with VoiceOver in Safari 4.

VoiceOver users will find that context menus can now be readily accessed with VO-Shift-M on links and other web elements.

Textual information that is presented when the mouse is hovered over a link or other element of a web page, is now read by VoiceOver. (For an example, check out the calendar at the top of this page. News stories that appear on a certain date are announced when focus moves to that date in the calendar.)

According to the feature list for Safari 4, this update supports Aria, Accessible Rich Internet Applications, a standard for developing dynamic web content that is accessible for users with disabilities who make use of assistive technologies like VoiceOver.

The new "Top Sites" feature does not appear to be working with VoiceOver as yet, but the new "Tabs on Top" feature seems to clean up the user interface for VoiceOver users. Moving to the top of a Safari window gives quick and easy access to the tabs that are currently open in the window.

Know of something we missed? Let us know.

Once again, Apple is showing a dedication to accessibility unsurpassed by any mainstream commercial corporation.