Apple, Please Bring Back Braille Access
found at
http://joeorozco.com/blog_apple_please_bring_back_braille_access
Submitted by Joe on May 22, 2012 - 8:49am
Dear Apple developers,
I and thousands of other persons with visual impairments
appreciate what you have done to make your products accessible to
us out of the box. Your dedication to universal accessibility is
second to none; however, a segment of our community has recently
experienced a break in connectivity.
As of iOS 5.1, users of HIMS Braille display products have not
been able to connect to their iDevices. These products include
the Braille Sense PLUS, the Braille Sense On Hand, and the latest
Braille Sense U2. The devices are no longer recognized by the
iDevice; therefore, blind consumers who previously counted on the
connection to read and input data via Braille can no longer do
so.
I and other affected consumers call upon Apple to please:
.release a firmware update that will reestablish the recognition
of Braille Sense products and other Braille displays that may
have been lost as of iOS 5.1; and
.establish a procedure by which future updates are not released
without first ensuring that current Braille displays are fully
supported.
Apple has made a significant contribution to the Braille literacy
crisis in the world. In the United States alone, more than 90%
of children are not being taught Braille, and we are counting on
the support of mainstream corporations to aid in the preservation
of a reading medium that is so critical to personal independence
and professional development.
Today, Tuesday, May 22, we have called upon fellow blind
consumers and other supporters to contact Apple to elevate the
issue in the company's development priorities. We do not believe
Apple has consciously left out a segment of its customer base.
We believe this is an unfortunate oversight, but we kindly ask
that the issue be given the developer's utmost attention. We are
fully confident that Apple will respond as elegantly as it has
before to our concerns.
Thank you for redefining the way consumers approach technology.
Your devotion to product accessibility even for a small segment
of the total population sets a high benchmark for other companies
in the consumer arena. We look forward to many more innovations
that continue to bridge the gap between consumers from all walks
of life.
Sincerely,
A Consumer Advocate
Contact Apple via Accessibility (at) apple.com or feedback (at)
apple.com.
Harry's comments. Now folks, you know human nature, right? Human
beings when asked will make excuse after excuse, right? They'll
stonewall, and put things off. So, I want to ask this question.
How long should we give Apple on this?
Let's make a decision as a blind group, and follow up.
Harry
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