Bears ADA Clock - Accessible Desktop Clock for Windows

A desktop clock specifically designed for users with accessibility needs, featuring full screen reader support and comprehensive customization options.

🎯 Project Highlights

Full ADA Compliance - Complete screen reader compatibility
Highly Customizable - Font sizes, colors, and display modes
Professional Installation - MSI installer with .NET handling
Open Source - MIT License, available on GitHub
Windows Integration - Proper Add/Remove Programs support

🌟 Key Features

Accessibility Features

Full Screen Reader Support - All UI elements are properly labeled and announced by NVDA, JAWS, and Windows Narrator
Live Regions - Time and date updates are automatically announced to screen readers
Keyboard Navigation - Complete keyboard accessibility throughout the application
High Contrast Support - Compatible with Windows high contrast themes
Customizable Font Sizes - Large, adjustable text from 24px to 128px for users with visual impairments

Display Options

Multiple Display Modes:
- Time and Date (default)
- Date Above Time
- Time Only
- Date Only
Seconds Toggle - Show or hide seconds in time display
Custom Font - Uses Roboto Mono TTF font for clear, readable digits
Color Customization - 9 color options for both time and date
Date Formats - Multiple international date format options

User Experience

Draggable Window - Click and drag to position anywhere on desktop
Responsive Window - Automatically sizes to content for optimal interaction area
Transparent Background - Completely transparent with no visible borders or frames
Right-Click Context Menu - Access settings and exit options anywhere on the clock
Auto-Start with Windows - Automatically starts with Windows (enabled by default)
Real-Time Preview - See changes before applying them
Smart Positioning - Starts in upper-right corner, maintains position after font changes

🛠️ Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 or later
Framework: .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime (automatically installed)
Memory: Minimal RAM usage (~10-20MB)
Storage: ~2MB application + shared .NET runtime
Architecture: x64 (64-bit)

Technology Stack

Framework: WPF (.NET 6.0)
Language: C#
UI Pattern: MVVM-inspired with code-behind
Accessibility: Full AutomationProperties implementation
Font Handling: Embedded TTF font resource
Installer: Professional MSI with Visual Studio Setup Projects

🎨 Customization Options

Visual Customization

Setting	Options	Default
Font Size	24px to 128px (8px increments)	56px time, 32px date
Colors	Black, White, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Gray	Black
Date Format	YYYY MMM DD, MMM DD YYYY, DD MMM YYYY	YYYY MMM DD
Display Mode	Time & Date, Date Above, Time Only, Date Only	Time & Date
Seconds	Show/Hide	Hidden

♿ Accessibility Implementation

Bears ADA Clock was designed from the ground up with accessibility as a primary concern, not an afterthought.

Screen Reader Compatibility

NVDA - Full compatibility with all features
JAWS - Complete navigation and announcement support
Windows Narrator - Native Windows screen reader support
Other Screen Readers - Standard AutomationProperties ensure broad compatibility

Accessibility Standards

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance - Meets web accessibility guidelines
Section 508 Compatible - US federal accessibility standards
ADA Compliant - Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
AutomationProperties - Proper labeling for all UI elements
Live Regions - Dynamic content updates announced automatically

🔧 Development & Contribution

Open Source Information

License: MIT License (free for personal and commercial use)
Repository: https://github.com/N6REJ/Bears-ADA-Clock
Issues & Support: GitHub Issues
Documentation: Complete README with setup instructions

Development Environment

IDE: Visual Studio 2022 (Community Edition or higher)
SDK: .NET 6.0 SDK
Installer: Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Projects extension
Version Control: Git with GitHub integration

Contributing

Contributions are welcome, especially those that improve accessibility features. All new features must maintain full screen reader compatibility and follow established accessibility patterns.

🚀 Getting Started

Quick Installation

Download the latest BearsAdaClockInstaller.msi from the releases page
Double-click the MSI file to start installation
Follow the installation wizard prompts
Allow .NET 6.0 installation if prompted (~55MB download)
Launch from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut

First Use

The clock will appear in the upper-right corner of your screen
Right-click on the clock to access settings
Customize font sizes, colors, and display options as needed
Drag the clock to your preferred position
Settings are automatically saved and restored on restart

🎯 Use Cases

Primary Users

Visually Impaired Users - Large, customizable fonts with screen reader support
Low Vision Users - High contrast options and adjustable sizing
Cognitive Accessibility - Simple, clear interface with consistent behavior
Motor Impairments - Full keyboard navigation and large click targets

Secondary Benefits

Elderly Users - Large, clear time display
Dual Monitor Setups - Dedicated time display on secondary monitor
Presentation Mode - Clean, professional time display for meetings
Kiosk Applications - Simple, reliable time display for public terminals

Ready to Get Started?

Download Bears ADA Clock today and experience accessible timekeeping on Windows.

Download Latest Release View Source Code