I've included the message below. I'm hoping that the jailbreak community will inadvertantly make things better for us at some point. Larry Wanger <[email protected]> 30 September 2010 23:00 I sent the following note to Apple Accessibility. No Voice Over on the ATV and the remote app is rendered on the iPhone and iPad such that it can not really be used either. Things will improve somewhat with Airplay once implemented but not entirely. I hope others will consider writing as well.
Hi, I want to share my displeasure with Apple as I’ve just learned that the new Apple TV product does not currently offer any kind of access to blind and low vision television viewers through implementation of Voice Over. I learned of this by calling and speaking with a sales representative at Apple who checked with one of your engineers to find out if accessibility features were built in to the product. Whether Apple recognizes it or not, blind and low vision people enjoy watching television and movies as well and Apple has unfortunately missed out on an opportunity to continue to be a leader in this important area of technology. While I was somewhat surprised to learn the actual Apple TV box did not offer Voice Over, I was even more surprised to learn that the newly updated remote app fails to provide a meaningful solution. Had Apple implemented the remote app for the ATV in the same way that it has allowed end users to use Airtunes I suspect things would have been different. Recall that the remote app essentially rendered the user’s iTunes library, showing music, podcasts and other media content. The user could scroll through content and choose what to play. Best of all, Voice Over worked well with this app. A similar implementation would have offered an accessible solution. Beyond this, my understanding of the technical specifications of the ATV would indicate that the box itself should have enough horse power to handle the same implementation of Voice Over that we currently enjoy on other Apple products. I also would be remiss if I did not mention the recent passage and pending presidential signing of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. One of the provisions of this legislation is the requirement for industry to develop set-top boxes that offer accessibility features for blind and low vision users. While this has happened after Apple developed this product, I mention it in hopes that Apple will consider being a leader in this area by making its new ATV accessible in the near future. Please know that like so many others, I am very appreciative of Apple’s efforts and leadership by including Voice Over on the iPhone, iPad and other products. However, it seems that Voice Over could have been implemented on this device as well. I look forward to being able to purchase and use the new Apple TV in the future. On 09/10/2010, Goldfinga Productions <[email protected]> wrote: > oh my... well thanks for the heads up. > > GF > > > On Oct 9, 2010, at 2:29 PM, Ben Mustill-Rose wrote: > >> I think someone posted a response that they got from accessibliity a >> couple of weeks ago where they were informed that the remote app >> wouldn't work. I can't find the exact message right now, but it was in >> the big thread that there was about apple tv in late september early >> october. >> >> On 09/10/2010, Sarah Alawami <[email protected]> wrote: >>> OH yeah I didn't think about that. You might be able to use the remote >>> app. >>> >>> S >>> On Oct 9, 2010, at 10:20 AM, Goldfinga Productions wrote: >>> >>>> Has anyone tried to control the apple tv with the iPhone or iPod touch? >>>> I know it may take some sighted help to set it up, but I wonder if that >>>> would work at all. I should go get one and try it out. >>>> >>>> GF >>>> >>>> >>>> On Oct 9, 2010, at 11:21 AM, Ben Mustill-Rose wrote: >>>> >>>>> It has been my experience that even if accessibility did know about an >>>>> upcoming feature, (Which they probably won't), they will be unable to >>>>> tell you about it; it's just the way that Apple works. >>>>> >>>>> I'm sorry to hear about your loss of sight; but in this situation, I >>>>> think it would be best if you were to return the unit and get a >>>>> refund. >>>>> >>>>> On 09/10/2010, Carolyn Haas <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> Hi: >>>>>> I can't say for sure whether they are bringing voiceover to apple tv. >>>>>> But I >>>>>> would bet my next paycheck that if you contact accessibility, they >>>>>> would >>>>>> know, and/or Apple would grant you a refund. >>>>>> Sorry for your recent loss of vision. I can relate all too well as my >>>>>> hearing fluctuates. >>>>>> Take care >>>>>> >>>>>> Carolyn >>>>>> On Oct 8, 2010, at 5:07 PM, Samuel wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I preordered the apple tv back on September 13th and it just arrived >>>>>>> today, but in that one month I've actually lost a noticeable amount >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> vision. Should I hold out for voiceover if it's even coming to apple >>>>>>> tv? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups >>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> [email protected]. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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