OpenDocument Format (ODF) is an ISO Open Standard for storing Office documents. Being an Open Standard means that anyone can read the specification, create programs that use it and be sure it won't change suddenly. Proprietary formats on the other hand are secret and liable to change, leading to users being locked into one manufacturer.  Such formats are often reversed engineered so programs can be created to access them but they are at risk mis understandings and of changes in format.

The state of Massachusetts has decided to use ODF for all its documents, thus benefiting from its advantages. This is a high profile decision with Microsoft, Sun, IBM and others all having much at stake on the outcome. There's much public retoric and flack flying around, largely fuel by the fact that many of the programs supporting ODF are Open Source and thus central to the strategey of the large corporates, with the exception of Microsoft. 

The accessibility issue is quite simple but has been rather obscured by recent public statements. Employees of Massachusetts who use accessibility tools are concerned that the change will leave them unable to work as they will not have the tools they need. Much accessibility software used is specific to MS Office programs on Windows, while currently the programs that support ODF tend to have less advanced accessibility features. There is also a resistance to switching to new tools.

There are several solutions:

1. Microsoft add native ODF support to Office. They are offering their own format.
2. A third party pluggin is created so Office can access ODF. This now exists.
3. Accessibility features of programs that support ODF are improved or 3rd party programs are developed to work with them. This is happening.

The 3rd option means that all users will be able to benefit from the advantages of Open Standards and Open Source software.

This sudden increased interest in the combination of Open Standards, Open Source and Accessibility means we can expect improved provision and choice for users. Increased development activity is already occuring on improving accessibility of Linux programs and other Open Source tools.

OATSoft is well positioned to play a constructive part in helping to improve the accessibility of Open Source programs that use ODF and allows users to have their say.

You can find more about ODF on the ODF Fellowship and Standards Blog.