[macvoiceover] Re: what do we do about productivity on the mac?
- From: Laura <laura.mcg@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 22:14:14 +0100
I've almost certainly said this before, but I wonder whether it would be worth
taking the feedback to some of the blindness organisations? I mean, I think we
should definitely keep contacting Apple with our iWork feedback, and I'm
reasonably sure that doing so will eventually have an impact because Apple have
proven to be responsive so many times before. But the reality remains that most
businesses use Office, and Microsoft seems intentionally resistant to adding VO
support. I'm not sure what individual voices can do to change that. OTOH, an
organisation like the NFB might stand a chance, much as they did when iTunes
wasn't accessible on Windows. Of course, they'd have to actually want to make
the Mac a via viable alternative to Windows for blind users, and I'm not sure
that's the case.
And while we're doing that, getting them to tackle Adobe might also be nice.
Despite their assurances 18 months ago that the next build of flash would have
improved accessibility for the Mac, the beta of flash 11 I downloaded the other
day seemed as hidden as ever to VO.
On 1 Sep 2011, at 22:02, Marcy Weinberg wrote:
> Hello, everyone,
>
> I saw this message on another list, and felt it was important enough to post
> here.
>
> spreadsheets and documents and presentations, oh my!
>
> Many blind folk are successfully employed for performing tasks which involve
> the above and have been for many years. Few if any though are using the mac
> for many reasons but I want to focus on moving forward in areas in which we
> can move forward and to focus your attention and seek your assistance with
> those.
>
> We need gallant folk to step up to Microsoft and shout out that office needs
> to be made accessible in order that the market for blind employees will be
> wider. To do this, folk must provide concrete detailed and factual
> information about the issues of using Microsoft office on the mac. You can
> even find some good stuff that is already written and submit it to them. I
> don't have a handle on the Microsoft stream and cannot purchase the product
> so cannot help directly but am willing to help in any other way I can.
>
> We need to provide solid feedback to apple on issues related to IWork from a
> productivity standpoint. Some employers will be willing to accept a blind
> person with a mac since we can export office formats and they would be
> willing to mix systems if they are able.
>
> We need to locate employers willing to work with us and rehab or other
> agencies who are willing to take on the challenge if for nothing less than
> the potential cost savings.
>
> I know that there are a myriad of issues which we face with regard to this
> ultimate goal of prominent positioning of mac in the work place of the blind,
> but if we work together, perhaps we can move forward and provide assistance
> in this important effort.
>
> I know that there are efforts ongoing at apple and lots of feedback coming to
> them which they are paying attention to and which is helping to guide them
> toward better accessibility. I'd like though to discuss experiences and
> desires and perhaps translate some of those into meaningful dialog with apple
> and microsoft.
>
> --
> Marcy
> Hope you're having a nice day!
>
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