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Software Update Makes iTunes Accessible To Blind Users
rickthewizkid writes "Recent updates to the iTunes software allow blind users to access the program without assistance. From the article: 'The new software — which transforms the written information on an iTunes-linked computer screen into speech or Braille — stemmed from an agreement between Apple, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer company, the National Federation of the Blind and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.'" It's not just the actual iTunes app, though; the article notes that this update makes iTunes U useable as well.
Part of the same effort. User may turn on larger text, or enable spoken items from within iTunes.
Now how about incorporating this into every Cocoa app? Provide developers with an API so they can use it as well.
I like big butts and I cannot lie.
As someone who has worked extensivly with the blind I have to say, its about time! I love the Mac but in so many ways it is difficult for blind or near-blind users. I hope Safari and other apps follow soon.
Pray tell, how does a software upgrade convert text into Braille? Does it just display a series of dots on the screen?
Actually, now that I think about it, I'd be interested in the idea of a computer screen which could create slight relief, raising dots for the user to feel. I wonder if that, combined with a stylus for clicking and such, would allow for existing interfaces to be used by blind people... Does such a thing exist?
I must confess, I'm not really following what is going on in helping the disabled in the technology field, but I know it's been a big issue since at least one decade and I thought it had somewhat been solved at the OS / standards / specialized hardware level.
I'm kindof shocked by this headline ... and also wondering what is the current state of supporting the blinds in other apps than iTune nowadays? Is iTune (pre-patched) the exception or the norm?
Then why can't you just use the pause selection in the dock menu? You don't have to go find it to pause it.
By what name do you wish to be mourned?
that's what i'm talking 'bout...
Unfortunately, blind people won't hear you.
Maybe your brain paused. I said "without pausing," as maybe I don't want the video to stop.
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It's always good news and encouraging to see progress like this. While it's certainly not a requirement for most parties to have software/websites that are compliant for people with disabilities, it's good to see when things are designed so they can readily use them. In the government public websites and software services are required to be Section 508 compliant -- meaning they work for those with disabilities. This has to do with colors, alt-tags, text placement, etc. One could make an argument that perhaps that same requirements should be levied on companies providing public services, however, I am not making such an argument. However, it would seem it might make business sense in many cases when you have a popular service to make it friendly to those with disabilities (i.e. the blind).
:)
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On a side note.. not to be insensitive... but I find it absolutely hilarious that as I am writing this response, the Slashdot Google Ads are:
"Next Day Blinds - Official Site of Next Day Blinds. Blinds, Shades, & Shutters" - coincidence? I think not.
...to call users who don't understand or care about Apple DRM blind. Think of how insulting it is to the blind.
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
Then you probably need to lay off the porn.
Haptic feedback doesn't help if you can't see the screen. And what's a "zero-tactile-feedback panel" if not a non-haptic touch screen?
Products sometimes just flat-out don't work for some people. The iPhone is a poor choice for the blind. That's why there are other products out there, not that ANY cell phone is "good" for a blind user.
"Clicky, raised, mechanical buttons" are only half of the game--you still can't see what's on the screen. Using an iPod is no more difficult than using an iRiver or Archos with buttons, since you can't feel the labels. It has distinct zones and the orientation of controls can be readily determined by touch alone--how many people even take their iPods out of their pockets to use them? None I've seen, unless they need the screen for something.
Honestly, did you even think this comment through in your head before posting?
Windows has always had superior accessibility because it was designed to support full keyboard navigation from its inception. It's impossible to create an application using standard controls that doesn't support the keyboard. Why Apple didn't make their OS work right in this regard with the move to OSX escapes me to this day.
I am becoming gerund, destroyer of verbs.
I use my iPhone every morning without looking at it. I am a master of hitting the snooze area of the screen.
I don't mean to sound like I'm against making software more accessible to disabled users, but what are the details of the Attorney General's involvement in this. Were there any threats made against Apple concerning iTunes accessibility? I thought private companies weren't required to make their software accessible, which is a policy that I fully agree with.
Too much bullying by Attorneys General these days (see NY AG's actions w.r.t. UseNet).
"In prison you just have to shut your eyes and take it. Here you have to shut your eyes and give it."
Shh... speak softly and he wont be able to see you...
Apple just keeps getting better.
15TW = 15,000 Nuclear Reactors. (Approx. one accident a month.)
If this update made it accessible to the deaf.
*ducks*
I record my sleeptalking
I had been under the impression that Apple had at least as much accessibility support as other platforms. If it takes this long for one of their main audio apps to become accessible to blind users, Apple is doing poorly on accessibility.
Have you tried actually using OS X from the keyboard alone? I have, and it doesn't work.
All that verbiage from Apple is just trying to cover up that fact. In particular, the section "Full keyboard navigation" is misleading.
But what about the def users?!
Full Keyboard Navigation
In Mac OS X, you can use the keyboard to navigate through a document. [emph mine]
Notice that while the page you link to gives the impression that the OS is keyboard navigable, the above statement refers to navigating through a document, not all Operating System features.
Apple have managed to suck a few disabled into buying their systems with this sales pitch. Have a read of this guy's experiences (he interacts with his PC via a mouthstick):
Short lesson here for you: Unless you've directly experienced something, do not believe Apple's marketing literature to the contrary.
Oh - and Kudos to the gnome team.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
This is a PR fluff piece, with no feedback from anyone blind. And everywhere I looked for derivative articles was more of the same. I want to know if it really works for a blind person, or is it just frustration in a tiny box.
Err... Then he couldn't "listen to something else briefly."
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
It's much easier to hit the top button for snooze (the sleep/wake switch).
So this is news? Rockbox has been offering spoken menus and player content for many years.
Also on ipods (a little less than two years).
I wouldn't be surprised if they would patent it anyway....
does it make the ipod/iphone usable for linux users?
i wish i was but oh well
im sure a prescription from Dr. Sbaitso will clear that up.
Good people go to bed earlier.
Microsoft does do a good job with accessibility, especially Office, but there is no good to be had in overstating their effort.
As TaxMan explained in his reply to your post, those are more like utilities than robust features that can be relied upon every day.
You are trolling. It has been demonstrated repeatedly on /. (and everywhere else on the 'net) that Macs are more than price competative in the mainstream.
For a home or school user (or really anyone who does not have to run Windows) who happens to be blind, going Mac can save the person a thousand bucks!
I paid the going retail price for a Windows screen reader and got a free Unix computer!
\ where smy mode pointswhen I NEED them\
After reading that joke for the 7th times, it falls on deaf ears.
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck
The fact that you include this factor in your developement process has got to put you in the top 1% of all programmers. Kudos and thanks!
I paid the going retail price for a Windows screen reader and got a free Unix computer!
This is true. Other developers heavily vested in Carbon, not the least of which is Adobe, also have huge problems with VoiceOver compatibility.
Mostly true. If a blind person needs to use MS Office or other Windows-only applications, there is no choice, and a grand is not expensive if that is all it takes to get a job. But just as most people use MS Office Windows because they think they have to, most fully blind people use JAWS or WindowEyes without consideration of the alternatives.
OCR software that is fully functional for a blind individual costs another $1000! Unfortunately, this is another absent product category under OS X and Gnome.
I do not quite grok the reasons for the differences, I think they are architectural, but there are at least three decent screen readers for Gnome, but none for KDE.
I paid the going retail price for a Windows screen reader and got a free Unix computer!
I realize you are just trying to be funny, but iPod, iTunes, and Apple TV all support captioning, and have for some time. Jobs even metioned it during his last keynote. Here is a page about it: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/itunes/hearing.html
I paid the going retail price for a Windows screen reader and got a free Unix computer!