Hi,

Each country has different consumer laws where your rights are protected. Since 
Apple has a centre in a lot of countries. The laws for that country apply. In 
the example of a $150.00 app isn't accessible or meets the users needs. In 
Australia you have grounds to get a refund. In fact, I believe there is an link 
on the Apple web site to permit you to get this refund. I believe the UK has 
similar laws to Australia. 

I do not know if the USA has these consumer laws, in protecting your rights.



In relation to rating apps or even having a method of tagging if it is 
accessible. If it is left up to the end-user. Then software houses can game the 
ranking. This has occurred on any platform where you can rank the application. 
So it isn't a Apple specific issue I  am referring to here. Example:

I create an app that claims to be accessible. Then I spend a day ranking it 
high with the accessibility ranking flag. Result, you cannot trust the ranking 
system completely.


Since Apple provides the libraries to be used by developers. Then I am sure it 
would be possible to have a script that detects the usage of the libraries for 
Voice-Over. Then a flag could be raised indicating there is possible 
accessibility in this app. The only true way to test an app is by a person.

Sean 
On 22/04/2013, at 9:30 AM, "Chris Gilland" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I wasn't going to chime in, but when you mentioned about the refund polacy... 
> allow me to tell you all what Itunes Store Support said once to me.  It was 
> enough to where it almost caused me to boycott and never ever use Apple 
> products again.
> 
> I bought an app which the dev kept swearing left and right would work with 
> Voiceover, though didn't offer a trial.  I tried making special arrangements 
> with him for a serial number which he could activate for me for 8 to 12 
> hours, just long enough for me to try it, and see if it worked, with the 
> promise that I'd buy it if it worked.  Even still, he refused.  This app was 
> around $150.  So, not cheap, to say the very least.  I finally bit the bullet 
> and bought the app on the app store.  Not only was it not accessible in the 
> least, thus proving the dev's assumption incorrect, but when I wrote the dev, 
> he never replied back to me, and never cared that I had bought the product 
> but was having an issue.  suffice it to say, Finally, I took it up with 
> Apple.  They gave me the whole shenanigan of:  well, it's not our problem 
> that you bought an inaccessible app, you should have done your research more 
> thoroughly, blah blah, blah.  I explained to them I did everything! within my 
> power to test the accessibility before buying, but the dev was totally 
> uncooperative.  They still maintained that it's not their problem, and to get 
> over it young.  When I explained it was $150, all they seemed to be capable 
> of saying was, ouch!  that's a lot, followed by their canded appologies.  I 
> finally requested a refund.  As this point, they told me flat out, even if it 
> was music in the ITunes music store that had been corrupted, the bottom line 
> was, accessibility not withstanding, quote unquote:  we don't refund blind 
> people.  That was literally their exact words, I swear, to, god!  We? do not? 
> refund, blind people!  I almost puked when hearing this!  I couldn't believe 
> my ears!
> 
> Needless to say, I contacted a lawyer her works for the NFB, and we'll just 
> say he didn't even have to take the case pro-bono.  He called them on my 
> behalf, and well... we'll just say by the end of the day, I had not only a 
> refund, but I got twice! the amount I initially paid refunded back to me.
> 
> Needless to say, people don't wanna F with me, on the level of bad customer 
> service ediquet, cause believe me:  I will! get things done, case closed.
> 
> Anyway, my point is, I totally! agree with you that a polacy should be made, 
> not necessarily to refund people who get inaccessible apps, don't get me 
> wrong, but at the very! least, one that says in both the IOS app store, as 
> well as the mac app store, there needs to be a requirement to submit some 
> form of a trial version of your product.  Maybe I'm over-reacting, but come 
> on!  $150 later and now you're gonna tell me you don't refund quote: 
> bl'l'lind people?  I'm sorry, but, that's  a crocka, you know what...
> 
> Chris.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Holmes" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:08 PM
> Subject: Re: App Accessibility: Please Read!
> 
> 
> I especially like the idea of getting refunds for inaccessible apps. How many 
> times has someone gone out and bought an app only to find it impossible to 
> use with VO? That's why I like going to AppleVis to see if there is any 
> mention of a proposed app before buying. There won't always be something 
> there but worth a look. AppleVis is an excellent resource for a11y 
> information for the time being.
> 
> I tend to agree with the previous poster expressing concerns about an 
> accessibility rating in a public forum where there are so many people who 
> have no a11y concerns and this could make an app statistically look less 
> accessible than it really might be.
> 
> On Apr 21, 2013, at 1:35 PM, "J.P." <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> That is an easier way Karen, and valuable as well. I'm not blind to fact you 
>> have different levels of users. There just needs to be improvement. 
>> Especially when it comes to paid apps.
>> 
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