Hi, so you are saying that the screen reader Text Talker which used the
Echo synthesizer was developed by Apple? That's not how I remember my
history. I don't know about the other points you mentioned because I was
a kid in the 80s, but I specifically remember using Text Talker with
Echo in the mid-80s. As far as I know, that wasn't developed by Apple.
but what does it matter really on who is right or who isn't. It has no
direct relation to the purpose of the list.
--
Raul A. Gallegos
I must say I'm glad I know sign language, It's pretty handy. - Sheldon
Cooper
Twitter and Facebook user ID: rau47
On 9/13/2013 1:14 AM, David Chittenden wrote:
This is incorrect. Initial accessibility for the Apple II computer, which
occurred in 1983, was developed by Apple, not a 3rd party vendor. In addition,
ZoomText style screen enlargement was provided on the original Mac back in
1986. I know because I worked with both products. The initial screen reader for
the Apple II was not very good. The original screen enlargement for the Mac was
better than TSI Vista Screen enlargement for DOS computers.
The first full-fledge screen reader for Apple Mac was developed by Berkeley
Systems in the mid 90's. When Berkeley Systems went out of business because
they did not have enough customer base to meet their expenses around the turn
of the century, the company which bought out their source code let OutSpoken
for Mac die and used some of the OutSpoken for Windows code in their own screen
reader. I currently do not remember which company this was.
After Berkeley Systems folded, Apple approached screen reader developers to see
if any of them would develop a new screen reader for the Mac. In fact, Apple
worked closely with Berkeley Systems on OutSpoken for Mac. I know this because
a cousin was an independent consultant for Apple who was assigned to work with
Berkeley Systems on trouble-shooting difficulties for several months in the mid
90's. During this time, Apple paid his consulting fees.
After screen reader developers, including Freedom Scientific, turned Apple
down, Apple took screen reader development in-house in 2003 and released the
initial iteration of VoiceOver with OSX Tiger in 2005. This means, Apple's
initial screen reader development from concept design to roll-out took around
two years.
It must be noted that Apple was notified by US Federal Purchasing (I do not remember which specific department, but suspect it may have been Dept of Education), that federal funds would no longer be able to be spent on Apple computers if Apple did not have minimum screen reader access. To my best understanding, this notification was made in 2001 or 2002. It was during the time after OutSpoken for Mac was discontinued, and may have been the impetus encouraging Apple to approach Windows screen reader developers. However, given that Apple has always had a commitment to disability access, as proven by their initial basic screen reader in the Apple II and their screen enlargement in the early Mac, and by the fact that they paid my cousin's developer consultation fees in the mid 90's to do work with Berkeley Systems, I am not convinced that the US Federal Purchasing being threatened to be ended was what caused Apple to jump so fully onto the accessibility bandwagon. Besides, only basic
access is required by the Federal Government. Also, it was a known fact, and
fairly well researched and proven, that blind people could not successfully,
independently, and completely effectively, utilise a purely touchscreen device.
In fact, a Google-based researcher was attempting to get Apple to work with him
on developing a tactile overlay to help blind people use the original iPhone,
and was not happy with Apple because they refused to work with him.
Apple revolutionised everyone's understanding of what was possible with
touchscreen access when they released iPhone 3GS with full VO integration in
2009. Academic researchers were caught completely by surprise. Peer-reviewed,
high-end, academic research around factors of successful touchscreen access for
the blind do not appear in the research journals (touch input with audio
output) until late 2010. This indicates such research was not designed or
started until after the iPhone 3GS.
Therefore, the facts do not support the assertion that Apple only became
focused on accessibility after forced to do so by the federal purchasing under
accessibility legislation.
David Chittenden, MSc, MRCAA
Email: dchitten...@gmail.com
Mobile: +64 21 2288 288
Sent from my iPhone
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