And lets take a look at what Apple did with the current version of Itunes.
It's not nearly as accessible as it was in version 11.
-----Original Message----- From: Dave via Talk
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 7:58 AM
To: [email protected] ; Window-Eyes Discussion List
Subject: Re: Going Backward in Accessibility?
Hi Jim,
There are all kinds of examples. In Becky, I once had the ability to
Read to End, and now I no longer have this ability.
Numerous Web Sites that once were reasonably accessible, now require
more effort on my part to find the same information.
Ebay is a simple example. I once could easily type in the item I was
looking for and run a search. Now I need to take a few extra steps to
do the same thing, and then, sometimes, the reading of the search
results is quite flaky.
This is probably due more to Ebay changing something than Window Eyes
doing something wrong. But the bottom line is that I now am working
harder to get where I once could go fairly easily.
The other day, I was on a web site, I was attempting to create an
account, I could not because some where on that screen I was leaving a
Field open, and try as I might, I could never find the field, and I
could not create the account. I'll need to get sighted help to do this
in the next day or two.
Operating Systems and programs all have multiplied the number of
features, and a program that once had 50 features, now has 200. My
screen reader might read many of these new menu choices, and then again,
it might not.
Oh, I can still use the basic features, but I find that I don't always
have the ability to go into some of those new areas, and be able to read
all the selections, choices and options.
This is partly due to multiple factors, and I am not holding Window Eyes
responsible for the two steps backwards.
Frankly, I would think it is almost impossible for a Screen reading
company to give 100 per cent access to Windows, or Office, or many other
programs.
Outside of Screen Readers, I think the Blind are given fewer and fewer
choices. I bought a brand new Top of the Line Washer and Dryer for my
Wife. I thought I might be able to continue to help do the wash from
time to time. The machines had buttons. Well, it turns out, even
though there are buttons, the user needs to read a screen to select the
exact cycle wanted for that load of wash. And the dryer isn't any
easier. It too has a screen and it requires the user to read the screen
in order to choose the desired dryer setting, time temp etc.
I now need to read from a Braille card, the number of buttons to push
and in which order, to do a simple load of wash.
There are many Kitchen appliances that require sight to use them
accurately.
The phone system where I work is almost impossible for me to use. I can
pick up calls and dial out, but it requires sight to see another one of
those screens to pick the person you wish to transfer a call.
customer Service Data bases, my Screen reader doesn't read well. Not
well enough to effectively use it. Same with the Tech Data base.
I may have said that accessibility is taking one step forwards, and two
back. Perhaps I should have said, that accessibility is not keeping up
with what accessibility is needed, which ends up meaning the same thing
for most Blind. We can't use the equipment, or navigate the Web page,
or create an account, or do some type of editing, because we can't get
to the feature to use it.
I am older, and some my want to say, that I am just an old dude who is
stuck in the past.
However, what I see, is the typical consumer has a load of Electronic
equipment, and very very few know much more than the bare basics when it
comes to using it. Hundreds of features are there, for the few who
might need to use them. But most features go un used, and yet, the
manufacturers can say their phone has more features, or our program has
more choices etc. etc. etc.
So, I do believe we the Blind are losing the level of accessibility we
once had in the past.
Grumpy Dave
