Bright Future for Apple Accessibility with Lisa P. Jackson in the Lead

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRikDKO34Kpnlcv_YxMMr2bC4-eYe0c2Ow6wO0xm2f-L5asn3Sj3o9mzwfpveJDK4pslM4H2zuRnQ3NN3M5GSy-rrD5h7GR7zdEt2ApbqmRzxZpz5tWuKUmZ93WUOhNywKrJpiN5SElO4/s1600/lisa_hero-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Headshot of Jackson wearing red shirt" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRikDKO34Kpnlcv_YxMMr2bC4-eYe0c2Ow6wO0xm2f-L5asn3Sj3o9mzwfpveJDK4pslM4H2zuRnQ3NN3M5GSy-rrD5h7GR7zdEt2ApbqmRzxZpz5tWuKUmZ93WUOhNywKrJpiN5SElO4/s320/lisa_hero-2.png" title="Lisa P. Jackson" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apple recently updated the bio of Lisa P. Jackson to reflect her new role overseeing <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2015/03/apple-watch-accessibility-possibilities.html">accessibility</a> at Apple. This expands her previous responsibilities of overseeing environmental initiatives at Apple. Ms. Jackson's official title is now Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. Apple CEO Tim Cook has been vocal regarding his views of the importance of accessibility. This new management change, which puts a Vice President level executive in charge of accessibility for the first time, seemingly reaffirms Apple's long-standing commitment to <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">accessibility</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/09/apple-releases-ios-8-with-major.html">Apple</a> has been a leader in accessibility. Its products include superior accessibility features out of the box. Features such as <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/12/apples-new-app-return-policy-in-europe.html">VoiceOver</a>, Speak Selection, Zoom, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/today-apple-announced-ios-6-new-update.html">AssistiveTouch</a>, and Switch Control give people with disabilities equal access to Apple products at no additional charge.From personal experience I can say that these features are truly life changing and positively impact many people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even considering Apple's past success there are areas for possible improvement. One example involves training sales people about the accessibility features. On recent trips to Apple Stores, I have had some experiences that are not consistent with Apple's commitment to accessibility. For example, the Apple Watch on display had its accessibility features disabled. While Apple likely wants to limit confusion for customers who do not use accessibility features, this does not promote equal access. Part of the magic of the Apple Store is being able to walk up to a shinny new product and try it out. With the accessibility features disabled, and the sales people unfamiliar with how to enable these features, users with disabilities don't have an opportunity to fully explore the product. Apple should be showing off these features, not hiding them. Apple would be doing a great service to its customers with disabilities to prepare its store employees to talk about accessibility features as well as they talk about other features.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ms. Jackson has proven herself to be a very capable leader.  She has the ability to continue Apple's accessibility superiority and solve existing challenges. Her work on environmental initiatives has been very successful, propelling Apple towards the top of the technology industry in terms of sustainability. The future of Apple product accessibility seems bright, and I am excited to see what innovations come next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To read Lisa Jackson's full bio from Apple <a href="http://www.apple.com/pr/bios/lisa-jackson.html">click here</a>. Photo credit: Apple.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Apple Releases iOS 8 with Major Accessibility Improvements

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maclife.com/files/imagecache/futureus_imagegallery_fullsize/gallery/ios_8_intro_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://www.maclife.com/files/imagecache/futureus_imagegallery_fullsize/gallery/ios_8_intro_2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, Apple released <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS 8</a> the latest software update for <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/09/what-larger-screen-iphone-means-for.html">iPhone</a>, iPad, and iPod Touch. The new software, which is available for free, includes many new features and enhancements, including new accessibility features and tools that will allow developers to make the next generation of apps. Apple has not stood still in terms accessibility and as a result, iOS 8 is truly the most accessible and inclusive <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS</a> version to date.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the most exciting new accessibility features are included in iOS are ready to use right after updating. These features are developed by Apple, and most are found under Settings > General > Accessibility. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speak Screen is one of the new accessibility features that allows users to quickly and easily have content on the screen read with <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/11/claropdf-app-pdf-text-to-speech-and.html">text-to-speech</a> with a simple two finger swipe down gesture. Unlike older versions of iOS which required users to highlight sections that they wished to be spoken, Speak Screen does not require any highlighting. Users can even ask Siri to “speak the screen” to start text-to-speech. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Apple’s highly acclaimed screen reader, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-birthday-voiceover.html">VoiceOver</a>, also received some substantial updates. Now, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-birthday-voiceover.html">VoiceOver</a> users can enter text using a system-wide virtual six-dot Braille keyboard. Zoom is also vastly improved with windowed magnification and filters. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-is-guided-access.html">Guided Access</a> and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-is-assistive-touch.html">AssistiveTouch</a> have seen smaller improvements. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition, all accessibility features that use speech will now be able to use the Alex text-to-speech voice that many Mac users enjoy. All of these features are included with the iOS 8 update. Stay tuned for in depth information about the features discussed above in the coming days and weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With iOS 8, Apple has given developers tools to make the next generation of great apps. Hopefully, assistive app makers will be able to take advantage of these new features to help people with various needs. Developers can now make system wide keyboard apps. iOS keyboards will now be able to enter text into any app if the developer updates the app for <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS 8</a>. For example, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/02/eye-free-typing-app-fleksy-now-free.html">Fleksy</a> and SwiftKey are expect to receive an update shortly to enable text entry into any app. Developers can also add the ability to unlock their app using <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-touch-id-fingerprint-sensor-on-new.html">Touch ID</a>finger print recognition for devices with Touch ID. Lastly, developers can create extensions to allow their app to perform functions within other apps. For example, a translation extension could be used within Safari to eliminate the need to switch apps. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">These features open up a whole new world to app developers and it will be exciting to use some of the new apps that take advantage of these new developer features. While some apps have already been updated to take advantage of the new developer features in iOS, many have not been. Check back to read about some apps that are taking advantage of these new developer features in ways that can help people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS 8</a> is a free update that you can download now. Stay tuned to the Assistive Technology Blog to learn more about the new included <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/05/apple-begins-hosting-free-accessibility.html">accessibility</a> features and about apps that take advantage of the new developer features.</span><o:p></o:p></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

What a Larger Screen iPhone Means for Accessibility

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EY4c2mh15Yk" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The general consensus is that Apple will introduce new <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/05/ginger-page-for-iphone-powerful.html">iPhones</a> with larger screens in a few days. With many people with disabilities using Apple's flagship device for their accessibility needs a change can have a large impact on users. From a software prospective <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS 8 will offer many accessibility improvements</a>, but hardware is also an important aspect of <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/05/ginger-page-for-iphone-powerful.html">accessibility</a>. The larger screen will certainly benefit some users with special needs, but may also cause problems for others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Users with low vision may benefit the most from the larger viewing area. On current iPhones, with large text enabled, only a small amount of text is able to fit on screen. A larger screen will allow more text to fit on screen requiring less scrolling for users who prefer or require large text. The large screen will also give <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-birthday-voiceover.html">VoiceOver</a> users more space to use three or four finger gestures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbApd1zwbPpMuU7pOFJo7pEGdOHQTzpedtUKX0IOrH5xIUxpAE2JTVunpaByBpq10JJu4tWwOTkzYo6ePpsVSeG9QgL85UXtHPIJGn55HHiWK1F39hnuRuJGdJrh-TgJa3HM71t8tuc0/s1600/photo+(2).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbApd1zwbPpMuU7pOFJo7pEGdOHQTzpedtUKX0IOrH5xIUxpAE2JTVunpaByBpq10JJu4tWwOTkzYo6ePpsVSeG9QgL85UXtHPIJGn55HHiWK1F39hnuRuJGdJrh-TgJa3HM71t8tuc0/s1600/photo+(2).PNG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the other hand a larger screen <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/05/ginger-page-for-iphone-powerful.html">iPhone</a> may pose a challenge. Users with physical challenges may have a difficult time reaching all the controls. Also users who prefer using their phone in one hand and users who can only use one hand to operate their phone may find it difficult access all areas of the screen. It is possible that Apple will come up with a software solution to these possible challenges, making one handed use a breeze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Apple introduced the iPhone 5 it claimed that the larger screen was a perfect size for one handed, use so it will be interesting to see how the next iPhone is marketed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">People who use Apple devices as assistive devices should be excited about the company's upcoming announcement. Regardless of any hardware changes <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">Apple's iOS 8</a> includes unmatched <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/05/ginger-page-for-iphone-powerful.html">accessibility</a> features for people with a variety of needs. The potentially larger screen size will likely benefit most users. The benefits and trade-offs of larger screen phones has been explored with Android phones for years, and hopefully Apple has been able to iron out any lasting challenges. Aside from the form factor, Apple may introduce new software or hardware features that impact people with disabilities at their event. Stay tuned for information about how Apple's announcements impact <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">accessibility</a>.</div></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii