I shop on the Amazon site quite a bit and generally have no trouble even
though I use Firefox instead of IE since the security is better according to
computer experts. But I have found that the Amazon app on my iPhone is
extremely accessible and seems to sync with my cart on the computer. I find
it easier to reorder items using the order list on the phone since it is a
continuous list instead of having items grouped into the separate orders. If
I actually place the order on the phone it uses the fingerprint to sign in
which is handy.
Sherrie Gosling
Sherrie Gosling
-----Original Message-----
From: Adrian Spratt
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2017 9:45 AM
To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] Amazon.com
Gene, I'm sincerely sorry for bringing this about. We are strangers
communicating via impersonal, easily misconstrued email. I have two
concerns. One is that we all gain simple access to all websites, a distant
goal. The other is to reward websites that make accessibility a priority.
After the recent 60 Minutes episode attacking lawyers who randomly file
lawsuits against websites, hotels and other institutions for alleged
violations of the American with Disabilities Act, along with a movement in
Congress to cut back on private ADA-related lawsuits, I feel it is even
more incumbent on us to show appreciation for a company's accessibility
efforts. Whether or not you agree, and knowing your particular frustration
with the Amazon website, this is what motivated my posts in this thread.
All of us on this list have different experiences and different levels of
comfort with online activity. Despite my misgivings about separate
accessible websites, I understand why many screenreader users gravitate to
them. Watching family and friends as they grow into senior citizens, I also
assume that one day I will be equally baffled by ever-changing technology. I
find it hard enough as it is.
I would still urge you to limit your approach to any website owner to
specific problems you have. That's all I mean to say.
Let me add that I appreciate your numerous recent contributions to this
list, as I can tell others do as well.
-----Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com] On
Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 8:38 AM
To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] Amazon.com
So because you aren't having any problems, that I am and that I've gone so
far as to do a complete reinstall of Windows and JAWS which doesn't resolve
the problem to avoid upsetting your perfect little world I should just shut
up and suffer?
Thank you for that useful and considerate piece of advice!
On 1/8/2017 10:24 PM, Adrian Spratt wrote:
I don't understand how this responds to what I and others wrote. Like you,
I use IE. Also, as I said, I don't use their accessibility page exactly
for the reason you indicate: that such pages risk segregating visually
impaired people. Often in such cases, information is inadvertently
excluded that is available on the company's regular website.
The fact is that Amazon's website is unusually accessible. Rather than
write off an entire website as inaccessible when you may be having
problems but other screenreader users aren't, contact Amazon and specify
the exact problem. When I've done so with Amazon, I usually notice a fix
in the days and weeks to come. I wish all webmasters were as responsive.
We owe such companies respect.
I've never had to use Amazon's return page, so it may be something for
Amazon to look into. If no one else on this list has a suggestion for you,
go ahead and alert them. But if you attack them on the grounds that their
website is generally inaccessible, you're doing both Amazon and many
screenreader users an injustice.
-----Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com]
On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 9:19 PM
To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] Amazon.com
First of all, I use Internet Explorer, I tried firefox once, but found
that it introduced its own problems, so I went back to IE.
One common problem is buttons with no meaningful labels, just "button"
or "submit query". When there's only one it's not much of a problem, but
when you get three buttons next to each other all with the same useless
label.
Today I had to return an item, I was able to get to the returns page, but
could not check the check box for the item I was returning, nor could I
get the drop down list of reasons for my return to work. In the end I had
to call their customer service and get their help to submit the return
request. This wasn't the first time I had to do this either, the first was
several months ago and the problem persists, as does the unlabeled buttons
problem which is well over a year old.
Honestly, I would think that it would be more efficient to use best
practices for accessibility on their main site rather than to try to
segregate screen reader user to an equally flawed and less functional
site. It rather reminds me of how African Americans were treated in the
early sixties and before, separate and unequal.
Cheers!
On 1/8/2017 7:17 PM, Adrian Spratt wrote:
I want to explain. First, I don't use Amazon's accessible page. I agree
with you on that. I also realize the regular Amazon page is dense, which
is because it's packed with information. But navigating by h for heading
and b for button gets me to all the areas I usually want.
I used to have difficulty when a page offered periodic shipments, as
opposed to a one-time purchase. However, Amazon seems to have fixed it. I
brought it to their attention many months ago, and I'm sure others did,
too. It isn't the only problem I've alerted them to that they've
addressed.
So, where are you finding problems?
-----Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com]
On Behalf Of Adrian Spratt
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 6:49 PM
To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] Amazon.com
Amazon is exceptionally accessible. What specific problems do you
experience?
-----Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com]
On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 5:29 PM
To: JAWS Users
Subject: [JAWS-Users] Amazon.com
Hi everyone!
Does anyone else here shop at amazon.com? I am frequently presented with
accessibility challenges on their main site and often find that their
supposedly screen reader optimized site suffers from the same
accessibility challenges, making it hardly worth bothering with.
I'm asking hoping some people have found ways, or scripts, or other tools
that make amazon.com more accessible.
I complain to them all the time about their accessibility problems and
always get some boiler plate response that they take accessibility of
their site seriously but nothing ever changes, or it just gets worse.
Cheers!
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