Very well stated, Jonathan. For two long, the blind community gives these companies a pass, because we are a minority. So now we have to "except that our bugs will be put in line with everyone else's." I can't tell you how many times I heard that ridiculous statement. Yes, in some instances it is true. But with mission-critical bugs, if you have a serious commitment to accessibility, you will fix the damned bud before you release the software. Or you will let admit that your so-called commitment to excess ability only goes so far. Just tell the truth. Don't say you're committed and then do a half assed job. If Apple were a small company, that would be different. But they are a huge company. Mary
Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 1, 2015, at 7:33 AM, Jonathan Mosen <[email protected]> wrote: > > Cara's post was very well stated. > One thing I would add is that some of us have paid to be iOS testers before > public betas were available, and diligently reported bugs before release. So > even if Apple's own QA people missed issues like the touch tone bug in iOS 8, > or the call answering bugs in iOS 9 that completely incapacitated the phone > for some of us, they had the data from users. They made a conscious choice to > release product with those bugs unfixed. Every software has bugs, but it > isn't acceptable that such mission critical bugs are deemed OK to impose on > blind people, when if they had affected sighted people, there would have been > mass-media outrage. > Jonathan Mosen > Mosen Consulting > Blindness technology eBooks, tutorials and training > http://Mosen.org > >> On 30/11/2015, at 6:27 PM, Cristóbal <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> These are all salient points to consider, but also considering the sheer >> amount of cash Apple has at its disposal, I'm reluctant to cut Apple much if >> any slack on problematic issues like this. They have the resources available >> to them that if they wanted to make dealing with and avoiding accessibility >> bugs and limitations a priority, they could do so without skipping a beat. I >> mean come on, they have so much available cash on hand that they make >> Scrooge McDuck look like some bum scrounging for quarters in the gutter. >> There is absolutely no reason why their accessibility department or any >> department under the Apple umbrella should be understaffed or stretched thin. >> Even with the new Apple TV OS aside, a lot of these bugs already discussed >> are either newly introduced bugs not present in older iterations of software >> or hardware or have solutions to them when using alternative assistive >> technology I.E. Windows screen readers, Android OS, etc. Often pretty basic >> and essential stuff. Cara's highlighting of the dial tone bug with VO is a >> perfect example of this. >> I can understand the challenges where you're developing new technologies and >> figuring out stuff as you go along, and maybe in this case, there simply >> aren't enough people or knowledge out there to address all the inevitable >> road blocks that pop up as part of the process, but for well established >> fields and problems that at this point shouldn’t be problems anymore, again, >> no slack to be cut. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >> Of Marshall Scott >> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2015 3:29 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: apple tv 4th generation thoughts >> >> I think there are two major reasons for the recent problems with >> accessibility at Apple. The first is that Apple now has to develop and >> support software and hardware for four product lines. These lines are OS X, >> iOS for iDevices, the apple Watch and finally Apple TV. Apple also has to >> support older devices like the iPhone 4S. The differences between these >> products may be slight but they have to be tested. >> The second issue is that Apple has decided on a 12 month release schedule. >> As a former programmer, I feel like this is too short a development cycle to >> really fix bugs in software >> Just my opinion. >> Marshall >> >>> On Nov 29, 2015, at 11:20 AM, Cara Quinn <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> ben, I couldn’t agree with you more here. >>> >>> I feel now that the more we are complacent about quietly dealing with the >>> mounting accessibility issues over the various OS roll-outs and new Apple >>> products, the worse this situation is unfortunately likely to become. >>> >>> The truth is that Apple has been doing incredible things in the access >>> world over the last several years and they really should be settling into >>> their groove now, not out of it. >>> >>> Unfortunately though, the later seems to be what is happening. >>> >>> Now I know that the accessibility team is stretched thin and has been for >>> some time now, and they are truly committed people who really do work hard >>> to make these technologies work for us, but some of these issues are QA >>> (quality assurance) issues in my opinion. Some of these obvious issues need >>> to be given higher priority than they seem to be receiving. Now I know that >>> there is a lot going on inside Apple that I am not aware of so some of what >>> I say may be well out of line here, (and I do apologize if this is the >>> case) but as a consumer and long-time advocate of Appel’s efforts, I feel I >>> do have some right to express these sentiments. >>> >>> The people on the accessibility team are awesome folks but the fact is that >>> more and more, visually impaired consumers are having to deal with what I >>> do feel is becoming somewhat second-rate access experiences with some Apple >>> products and /or OS releases. This is simply unacceptable. >>> >>> I know this is anything but intentional on the part of the access team but >>> it is still simply unacceptable and I feel this needs to be said. >>> >>> to illustrate this, when iOS 8 came out, one extremely serious issue was >>> the sticking touch tones (which would prevent people from making calls) on >>> the iPhone. Who on earth let this walk out the door? Who thought that this >>> would be okay? For God’s sake, the iPhone is first and foremost a phone >>> after all, and to have that very function released with such an >>> incapacitating bug for users of Voiceover is so far beyond crazy that I >>> honestly cannot express myself here within this list’s language guidelines. >>> >>> If you are tasked with testing a phone, what is the first thing you test? >>> Can you make a call? Can you do it again? Can you do it five more times? >>> Can you make the call on the other models of phone you produce? You get the >>> idea… >>> >>> As I have recently said on another list, Apple has the pick of the cream of >>> the crop of engineers, designers and any other professionals it requires. >>> So why is this happening? What is the excuse?… >>> >>> Honestly, there is none… >>> >>> So what do we do about it? Certainly, posting here can be cathartic but it >>> may not reach those it needs to. Yes, we can write [email protected] >>> however, those communications may not actually go directly to the engineers >>> in the accessibility department like it used to. >>> >>> I personally feel that we need to secure several options for ourselves now >>> to be assured of good access to technology. I do feel we need to stay in >>> touch with Apple in a very active sense. I also feel we need to look at all >>> technology options besides Apple products and similarly stay actively in >>> touch with their respective developers and / or companies as well. >>> >>> I personally intend to stay with Apple products for the majority of my tech >>> needs, but quite honestly, I also feel the time is now in general, in the >>> tech world where the awareness level is much better than it ever has been. >>> Discussions are happening; conferences are covering access. I see more >>> discussion now on programming forums about accessibility and interested >>> developers asking questions. etc. >>> >>> My point is that Apple has been a true trailblazer here and while I hope >>> they find it in themselves to improve what they are doing now, I feel that >>> we need to really make our voices heard in general so that accessibility >>> can really be a forefront topic of conversation for technology in general. >>> >>> This can only benefit us… >>> >>> I would welcome others’ opinions on this as well. What are your thoughts? >>> How do you feel we should address these issues? >>> >>> As I said I am by no means ditching Apple here. The truth is, I love my >>> Apple products and I love the fact that they have Voiceover. It’s just >>> that it’s a love / hate relationship sometimes now. That’s all! :) >>> >>> So what do you think? Chime in if you like… >>> >>> Thanks so much for reading and please do have a wonderful rest of your >>> weekend and happy holiday season! >>> >>> Cheers! >>> >>> Cara >>> --- >>> iOS design and development - LookTel.com >>> --- >>> View my Online Portfolio at: >>> >>> http://www.onemodelplace.com/models/Cara-Quinn >>> >>> Follow me on Twitter! >>> >>> https://twitter.com/ModelCara >>> >>> On Nov 29, 2015, at 8:11 AM, Ben Mustill-Rose <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> This is correct, but this simply shouldn't be the case. As it stands, >>> given the lack of apps and the VO issues, I have to add a few caveats >>> whenever I recommend that someone buys one because in my opinion it >>> simply isn't ready for primetime yet. The TV has been shipping for >>> around a month now and I haven't noticed any updates to the OS to fix >>> any of the issues that I and others have experienced. Some will argue >>> that I should email the accessibility address, but we're talking about >>> some really obvious issues here - E.G. "poster" being spoken instead >>> of app names and Siri screens being inaccessible. These are things >>> that Apple know about and have chosen not to fix. I'm confident that >>> at some point in the future these issues will be resolved, but when? >>> Should we really be content with spending what is for most people a >>> fairly large amount of money on a device in the hope that at some >>> point in the future it will be fully accessible? >>> >>>> On 11/29/15, MamaPeach <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> The new Apple TV, with updates, will improve over time, just like anything >>>> else that is newly released, such as any new versions of IOS. It takes >>>> people letting them know what issues they encounter in order for them to >>>> consider fixing them. >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: Ben Mustill-Rose >>>> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2015 7:49 PM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: Re: apple tv 4th generation thoughts >>>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> It's good but still feels like a bit of a beta product. The remote has >>>> sensitivity issues - E.G. I unknowingly purchased a film when it was >>>> in my pocket and there are some annoying VO issues but nothing that is >>>> a show stopper in my opinion. >>>> Given the fairly small range of apps available at the moment it's >>>> definitely expensive for what it is, but hopefully this situation will >>>> improve in the future. >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Ben. >>>> >>>>> On 11/28/15, Larry Lumpkin <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> Hello all. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts concerning the apple tv 4. >>>>> Do >>>>> you like it? Do you not like it? Why not? Etc. thanks very much. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone >>>>> list. >>>>> >>>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or >>>>> if >>>>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>>>> >>>>> or >>>>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>>>> >>>>> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn >>>>> - >>>>> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>>> --- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "VIPhone" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone >>>> list. >>>> >>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >>>> >>>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>>> or >>>> >>>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>>> >>>> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - 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>>> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >>> >>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "VIPhone" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. >>> >>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>> or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>> >>> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - >>> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >>> >>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "VIPhone" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - >> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "VIPhone" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - >> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "VIPhone" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - > you can reach Cara at [email protected] > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at [email protected] The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
