[real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
- From: "Christine McDonald" <cmcdonald.cei@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:04:12 -0500
> Does anyone have a contact for apple, an email or address, where we can
> write to thank Apple for all their efforts on behalf of the blind?
>
> Kim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jose
> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 11:22 AM
> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>
> I think we can all contact Apple and thank them for all of there efforts.
> I don't like hammering away at a company that is trying to do the Wright
> thing by us, just because it's the Wright thing to do.
>
> No one likes a mandate.
>
> They seldom work.
>
> My late friend Hays showed me that if you steam roll somebody it will do
> what a steam roller does. It will harden them to your views.
>
> I've got to ask myself what message did the N.F.B. want to convey to
> Apple?
> Sited people are so afraid to piss off the Blind. We must tread vary
> lightly when asking for help. No one wants to help you if your putting a
> gun to there heads.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Jose Lopez, President
> Lopez Language Services, LLC
>
> "We Speak Your Language"
> Call us anytime at 888.824.3022
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD" <morrowka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 9:52 AM
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>
>
>> Jose I'm completely with you on this one. And--will this effort on the
>> part of NFB motivate Apple to do more for the blind? I hardly think so.
>> They will sadly g from wanting to, to "having" to. And that could ruin
>> Apple's attitude for all of us.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jose
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 9:41 AM
>> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>
>> with all do respect to any one reading this who happends to be an N.F.B.
>> member.
>>
>> I was so happy as I red this thred. I was holppful that the N.F.B. was
>> willing to allow a company (in this case apple.) a chance to work towards
>> responding to the request with out the N.F.B. taking them to cort right
>> out of the gate.
>>
>> After reading threw this linthy thred I am sad to say I was wrong.
>>
>> As I see this, N.F.B. emaileds apple outlining the problem with apps that
>> can't be fully used with voice over. N.F.B. also informes apple
>> regarding
>> Resolution
>>> 2011-03, passed at this year's National Federation of the Blind
>>> Convention. I found that to be varry respectful and not threatening.
>>
>>
>>
>> Then Apple responds with the steps there taking to fix this problem.
>>
>> Then N.F.B. comes back with an email that to me sounds varry respectful
>> and pasitive at first.
>>
>> I was all for this effert tell I got to the final statement.
>>
>> It sounds like the N.F.B. is putting apple on notice that they had better
>> bring in the N.F.B. for apple to better understand the problem and how it
>> should be fix. Apple has according to this varry email from the N.F.B.
>> done wonderful work towards making there programs usable by all.
>>
>> Ok, sorry for the long preambel.
>>
>> Heres where the N.F.B. lost my respect in this effert.
>>
>> Like you, we believe in the power of education and encouragement--when
>> they
>>> produce the desired result. However, we believe that there are some
>>> instances where encouragement alone is not enough. Some things simply
>>> must be required if they are to be implemented. This is why Apple and
>>> the National Federation of the Blind need to enter into discussions so
>>> that we can come to an agreement as to what extent requirements need
>>> to be applied to the question of accessibility and compatibility with
>>> VoiceOver.
>>
>>
>> Thats the end of the text I am speeking of.
>> DEAR N.F.B.
>>
>> I with as much respect as I can say this, would like to remind you that
>> Apple is a Business, as such they are able to run it any way they see
>> fit.
>> While there are some things that are required. There in no way
>> required
>> to work with any group.
>>
>> I wonder what the next step wil be from the N.F.B. Should Apple say
>> thanks but no thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Jose Lopez, President
>> Lopez Language Services, LLC
>>
>> "We Speak Your Language"
>> Call us anytime at 888.824.3022
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Claudia" <cdelreal1973@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 12:37 PM
>> Subject: [real-eyes] Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>
>>
>>> This is just a little something I thought you'd like to see how the NFB
>>> is
>>> working with Apple and I think it also shows that the NFB is really
>>> tackling
>>> issues that are relevant to what is going on in the world today.
>>>
>>> Everette Bacon
>>> >>> "Curtis Chong" <curtischong@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> <mailto:curtischong%40earthlink.net>> 9/25/2011 10:12 AM >>>
>>> Greetings:
>>>
>>> On September 10, 2011, I sent an email to Apple regarding Resolution
>>> 2011-03, passed at this year's National Federation of the Blind
>>> Convention.
>>> As you may know, Resolution 2011-03 expresses disappointment with Apple
>>> for
>>> permitting applications to be released which contains controls that are
>>> not
>>> accessible to VoiceOver users and calls upon Apple to work with the
>>> National
>>> Federation of the Blind to develop a set of requirements for
>>> accessibility.
>>>
>>> The key word here is "requirements." There is little doubt that Apple
>>> has
>>> done an excellent job of educating and encouraging app developers to
>>> incorporate accessibility features into their software. Apple is also
>>> making a change, to be released with iOS 5, which allows the end user to
>>> apply custom labels to user interface elements so that VoiceOver can
>>> identify them. It is also evident that many app developers are
>>> responding
>>> affirmatively to Apple's efforts and are voluntarily incorporating
>>> accessibility features into their software. There is, however, some
>>> disagreement about whether or not it is appropriate to impose
>>> requirements
>>> of any form which compel app developers to do the right thing. What the
>>> resolution says is that Apple is clearly not shy about imposing other
>>> requirements before permitting apps to be released. Why not negotiate
>>> with
>>> the blind to come up with a set of requirements for accessibility?
>>>
>>> In any case, here is the chain of correspondence, presented in
>>> chronological
>>> order, for your information.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
>>> From: Curtis Chong
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2011 10:30 AM
>>> To: Chris Becherer; Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Subject: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility Requirements
>>> in
>>> Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Chris and Sarah:
>>>
>>> On July 7, 2011, at its 71st annual convention, the National Federation
>>> of
>>> the Blind adopted Resolution 2011-03 (copy attached). In summary, this
>>> resolution express its "frustration and deep disappointment with Apple
>>> for
>>> allowing the release of applications that contain icons, buttons, and
>>> other
>>> controls that cannot be identified by the blind user of VoiceOver,
>>> thereby
>>> rendering them nonvisually inaccessible."
>>>
>>> This is a follow up to my correspondence with the two of you earlier
>>> this
>>> year in which I indicated that this issue would be considered by the
>>> National Federation of the Blind at its national convention. As you see,
>>> the convention did consider this issue, and did decide to pass the
>>> attached
>>> resolution.
>>>
>>> I sincerely hope that Apple will consider the points raised in the
>>> attached
>>> resolution and take meaningful action to address the concerns it raises.
>>>
>>> Thank you kindly for your attention to this matter.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
>>> Resolution 2011-03
>>> Regarding the Lack of Accessibility Requirements in Apple Products
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple has made VoiceOver, a free and powerful screen access
>>> program, an integral part of many of its products, including the Apple
>>> Macintosh, the iPhone, the iPod Touch, Apple TV, and the iPad; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, VoiceOver has the potential of offering unprecedented
>>> nonvisual access to thousands, if not tens of thousands, of applications
>>> that are today available for these platforms; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, through presentations at developer conferences, specific
>>> guidance issued through programming guides, and application programming
>>> interfaces that are simple to implement, Apple has made it relatively
>>> easy
>>> for application developers to incorporate basic accessibility features
>>> in
>>> their programs for VoiceOver users; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple has clearly stated its desire to provide accessible
>>> products to blind people and has even received an award from the
>>> National
>>> Federation of the Blind for its work in making its products accessible
>>> to
>>> the blind; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, despite Apple's efforts to encourage accessibility by such
>>> examples as publishing a wealth of information providing clear and
>>> unambiguous guidance to application developers to help them make their
>>> software accessible to VoiceOver users, too many applications are still
>>> not
>>> accessible to the blind because of buttons that are not properly
>>> labeled,
>>> icons whose meanings cannot be understood, and images of text which
>>> VoiceOver cannot interpret; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, one example of an application with controls that are not
>>> accessible to the blind is the AT&T Navigator, which contains several
>>> screens with buttons that VoiceOver identifies only as "Button"; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, labeling buttons, menus, checkboxes, and other controls so
>>> that VoiceOver can identify them is neither a technological
>>> impossibility
>>> nor an unreasonably costly effort, and even the most visually intensive
>>> application should have menus, buttons, and other controls that can be
>>> operated nonvisually; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple is not shy about placing requirements and
>>> prohibitions on application developers: for example, developers who use
>>> their applications to sell products must turn over a percentage of their
>>> sales to Apple, and application developers cannot display an
>>> application-specific desktop; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, regrettably Apple does not require application developers
>>> to make their applications accessible to users of its VoiceOver program;
>>> and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, accessibility to all users of Apple products should be as
>>> important as the other criteria on which Apple bases its decisions to
>>> accept
>>> or reject applications: Now, therefore,
>>>
>>> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention
>>> assembled this seventh day of July, 2011, in the city of Orlando,
>>> Florida,
>>> that this organization express its frustration and deep disappointment
>>> with
>>> Apple for allowing the release of applications that contain icons,
>>> buttons,
>>> and other controls that cannot be identified by the blind user of
>>> VoiceOver,
>>> thereby rendering them nonvisually inaccessible; and
>>>
>>> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Apple, in the
>>> strongest possible terms, to work with the National Federation of the
>>> Blind
>>> to create and enforce a set of requirements for accessibility that will,
>>> at
>>> a minimum, compel application developers to label buttons, menus, icons,
>>> selection lists, checkboxes, and other controls so that VoiceOver users
>>> can
>>> identify and operate them.
>>>
>>> From: Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 12:22 PM
>>> To: Curtis Chong
>>> Cc: Chris Becherer
>>> Subject: Re: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility
>>> Requirements
>>> in Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Curtis,
>>>
>>> Apologies for the delayed response -- I've been on vacation for the last
>>> 2
>>> weeks.
>>>
>>> Thank you very much for sending this on. As always, we greatly
>>> appreciate
>>> the NFB's feedback and will continue to share this with both the App
>>> Store
>>> and the Accessibility teams.
>>>
>>> We'd like to reiterate some of the previous points made as well as to
>>> bring
>>> you up to speed on some recent additions:
>>>
>>> 1) The iOS SDK has the basic foundation for making apps
>>> VoiceOver-compatible built directly into the source code.
>>> 2) Late last year, we sent out an article to every registered iOS
>>> developer on the ease and value of making apps VoiceOver compatible
>>> including links to the Accessibility Programming Guide.
>>> 3) For the last three Apple Worldwide Developers Conferences, we've run
>>> multiple sessions and follow-up labs on making applications VoiceOver
>>> compatible for both the Mac and iOS devices that have been very well
>>> attended.
>>> 4) Since then, our Developer Relations team has worked one on one with
>>> developers to continually educate them on the importance of
>>> accessibility
>>> and provide tips, documentation, links to videos, code examples and
>>> examples
>>> of other developers who have had great success with making their apps
>>> accessible all in an effort to make it as easy as possible for them to
>>> ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>> 5) We've added a new VoiceOver feature in our upcoming release of iOS 5
>>> that allows users to apply custom labels to UI elements in their
>>> favorite
>>> third-party apps. This way, even if the developer has not labeled their
>>> buttons in a VoiceOver-compatible way, users have the ability to do this
>>> directly. This won't slow our efforts encouraging developers to build
>>> compatible apps using all the strategies outlined above, but we think it
>>> will be a really useful feature for VoiceOver users.
>>>
>>> We will continue to invest time and resources into educating our
>>> developer
>>> community about accessibility in general, and specifically messaging
>>> what
>>> they can do to ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> Thank you again for your continued support,
>>>
>>> Sarah
>>>
>>> From: Curtis Chong
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 5:41 PM
>>> To: Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Cc: Chris Becherer
>>> Subject: RE: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility
>>> Requirements
>>> in Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Sarah:
>>>
>>> Thank you for your September 23, 2011 response to my email. I very much
>>> appreciate your willingness to keep our lines of communication open.
>>>
>>> In your response, you mention some very encouraging aspects of Apple's
>>> efforts to promote accessibility and VoiceOver compatibility, among
>>> them:
>>>
>>> 1. that the iOS SDK has the basic foundation for making apps
>>> VoiceOver-compatible built directly into the source code;
>>>
>>> 2. that late last year, you sent out an article to every registered iOS
>>> developer on the ease and value of making apps VoiceOver compatible
>>> including links to the Accessibility Programming Guide;
>>>
>>> 3. that during the last three Apple Worldwide Developers Conferences,
>>> you ran multiple sessions and follow-up labs on making applications
>>> VoiceOver compatible for both the Mac and iOS devices--sessions that
>>> were
>>> very well attended; and
>>>
>>> 4. that since then, your Developer Relations team has worked one on one
>>> with developers to continually educate them on the importance of
>>> accessibility and provide tips, documentation, links to videos, code
>>> examples and examples of other developers who have had great success
>>> with
>>> making their apps accessible--all in an effort to make it as easy as
>>> possible for them to ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> I hope that you understand that we in the National Federation of the
>>> Blind
>>> in Computer Science have no doubt whatsoever as to your commitment to
>>> accessibility by the blind to Apple products. In this context, we (like
>>> you) are particularly encouraged by the new VoiceOver feature in your
>>> upcoming release of iOS 5 that will allow users to "apply custom labels
>>> to
>>> UI elements in their favorite third-party apps." As you say, this will
>>> make
>>> it possible for users to label many buttons and controls for themselves,
>>> thereby alleviating some accessibility problems.
>>>
>>> As I have been saying all along, Apple is doing a very good job of
>>> "encouraging" app developers to do the right thing. Our views diverge
>>> when
>>> the question of accessibility requirements is raised. If you will go
>>> back
>>> to the resolution adopted by the National Federation of the Blind at its
>>> 2011 Convention, the last Resolve reads:
>>>
>>> "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Apple,
>>> in the strongest possible terms, to work with the National Federation of
>>> the
>>> Blind to create and enforce a set of requirements for accessibility that
>>> will, at a minimum, compel application developers to label buttons,
>>> menus,
>>> icons, selection lists, checkboxes, and other controls so that VoiceOver
>>> users can identify and operate them."
>>>
>>> Like you, we believe in the power of education and encouragement--when
>>> they
>>> produce the desired result. However, we believe that there are some
>>> instances where encouragement alone is not enough. Some things simply
>>> must
>>> be required if they are to be implemented. This is why Apple and the
>>> National Federation of the Blind need to enter into discussions so that
>>> we
>>> can come to an agreement as to what extent requirements need to be
>>> applied
>>> to the question of accessibility and compatibility with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> Again, thank you for keeping the lines of communication open and for the
>>> encouraging news about upcoming changes in iOS 5 and VoiceOver. I hope
>>> that
>>> I have helped you to gain a better understanding of our perspective on
>>> this
>>> entire question of accessibility.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
>>> __._,_.___
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>>
>>
>>
>> Jose Lopez, President
>> Lopez Language Services, LLC
>>
>> "We Speak Your Language"
>> Call us anytime at 888.824.3022
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Sarah Jevnikar" <sarah.jevnikar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 7:36 PM
>> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>
>>
>>>I see what you mean, but if Apple is making VO a built-in part of their
>>> software, then shouldn't all apps work with that built-in software? Just
>>> as
>>> all apps should work with the screen specifications of the iDevice they
>>> were
>>> advertised for?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>> On Behalf Of Mitchell D. Lynn
>>> Sent: September 26, 2011 7:24 PM
>>> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>>
>>> I agree it would be nice if apps were labeled as VO-friendly, but I fail
>>> to
>>> see any reason why developers should be required to make their apps
>>> accessible to VO.
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>> On Behalf Of Sarah Jevnikar
>>> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 1:05 PM
>>> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>>
>>> I agree. And developers are variable in their efforts to make their apps
>>> accessible. Hopefully something from Apple will have enough teeth to
>>> produce
>>> results.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>> On Behalf Of Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD
>>> Sent: September 26, 2011 2:03 PM
>>> To: 'real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
>>> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>>
>>> I really appreciated this article. If anything, the Itunes Store needs
>>> to
>>> indicate whether or not an app is accessible via voice over. I cannot
>>> count
>>> the number of times I have purchased an app, only to discover that I
>>> cannot
>>> use it. This alone would go a long way.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD
>>> Communications Specialist
>>> Unity
>>> Message of Hope Ministry
>>> 1901 NW Blue Parkway
>>> Unity Village, MO 64065
>>> Toll Free: 866-421-3066
>>> Local: 816-251-3588
>>> M-F, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CT)
>>>
>>>
>>> www.unity.org
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>> On Behalf Of Claudia
>>> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 12:37 PM
>>> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [real-eyes] Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>>>
>>> This is just a little something I thought you'd like to see how the NFB
>>> is
>>> working with Apple and I think it also shows that the NFB is really
>>> tackling
>>> issues that are relevant to what is going on in the world today.
>>>
>>> Everette Bacon
>>> >>> "Curtis Chong" <curtischong@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> <mailto:curtischong%40earthlink.net>> 9/25/2011 10:12 AM >>>
>>> Greetings:
>>>
>>> On September 10, 2011, I sent an email to Apple regarding Resolution
>>> 2011-03, passed at this year's National Federation of the Blind
>>> Convention.
>>> As you may know, Resolution 2011-03 expresses disappointment with Apple
>>> for
>>> permitting applications to be released which contains controls that are
>>> not
>>> accessible to VoiceOver users and calls upon Apple to work with the
>>> National
>>> Federation of the Blind to develop a set of requirements for
>>> accessibility.
>>>
>>> The key word here is "requirements." There is little doubt that Apple
>>> has
>>> done an excellent job of educating and encouraging app developers to
>>> incorporate accessibility features into their software. Apple is also
>>> making
>>> a change, to be released with iOS 5, which allows the end user to apply
>>> custom labels to user interface elements so that VoiceOver can identify
>>> them. It is also evident that many app developers are responding
>>> affirmatively to Apple's efforts and are voluntarily incorporating
>>> accessibility features into their software. There is, however, some
>>> disagreement about whether or not it is appropriate to impose
>>> requirements
>>> of any form which compel app developers to do the right thing. What the
>>> resolution says is that Apple is clearly not shy about imposing other
>>> requirements before permitting apps to be released. Why not negotiate
>>> with
>>> the blind to come up with a set of requirements for accessibility?
>>>
>>> In any case, here is the chain of correspondence, presented in
>>> chronological
>>> order, for your information.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
>>> From: Curtis Chong
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2011 10:30 AM
>>> To: Chris Becherer; Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Subject: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility Requirements
>>> in
>>> Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Chris and Sarah:
>>>
>>> On July 7, 2011, at its 71st annual convention, the National Federation
>>> of
>>> the Blind adopted Resolution 2011-03 (copy attached). In summary, this
>>> resolution express its "frustration and deep disappointment with Apple
>>> for
>>> allowing the release of applications that contain icons, buttons, and
>>> other
>>> controls that cannot be identified by the blind user of VoiceOver,
>>> thereby
>>> rendering them nonvisually inaccessible."
>>>
>>> This is a follow up to my correspondence with the two of you earlier
>>> this
>>> year in which I indicated that this issue would be considered by the
>>> National Federation of the Blind at its national convention. As you see,
>>> the
>>> convention did consider this issue, and did decide to pass the attached
>>> resolution.
>>>
>>> I sincerely hope that Apple will consider the points raised in the
>>> attached
>>> resolution and take meaningful action to address the concerns it raises.
>>>
>>> Thank you kindly for your attention to this matter.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
>>> Resolution 2011-03
>>> Regarding the Lack of Accessibility Requirements in Apple Products
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple has made VoiceOver, a free and powerful screen access
>>> program, an integral part of many of its products, including the Apple
>>> Macintosh, the iPhone, the iPod Touch, Apple TV, and the iPad; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, VoiceOver has the potential of offering unprecedented nonvisual
>>> access to thousands, if not tens of thousands, of applications that are
>>> today available for these platforms; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, through presentations at developer conferences, specific
>>> guidance
>>> issued through programming guides, and application programming
>>> interfaces
>>> that are simple to implement, Apple has made it relatively easy for
>>> application developers to incorporate basic accessibility features in
>>> their
>>> programs for VoiceOver users; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple has clearly stated its desire to provide accessible
>>> products
>>> to blind people and has even received an award from the National
>>> Federation
>>> of the Blind for its work in making its products accessible to the
>>> blind;
>>> and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, despite Apple's efforts to encourage accessibility by such
>>> examples
>>> as publishing a wealth of information providing clear and unambiguous
>>> guidance to application developers to help them make their software
>>> accessible to VoiceOver users, too many applications are still not
>>> accessible to the blind because of buttons that are not properly
>>> labeled,
>>> icons whose meanings cannot be understood, and images of text which
>>> VoiceOver cannot interpret; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, one example of an application with controls that are not
>>> accessible
>>> to the blind is the AT&T Navigator, which contains several screens with
>>> buttons that VoiceOver identifies only as "Button"; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, labeling buttons, menus, checkboxes, and other controls so that
>>> VoiceOver can identify them is neither a technological impossibility nor
>>> an
>>> unreasonably costly effort, and even the most visually intensive
>>> application
>>> should have menus, buttons, and other controls that can be operated
>>> nonvisually; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, Apple is not shy about placing requirements and prohibitions on
>>> application developers: for example, developers who use their
>>> applications
>>> to sell products must turn over a percentage of their sales to Apple,
>>> and
>>> application developers cannot display an application-specific desktop;
>>> and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, regrettably Apple does not require application developers to
>>> make
>>> their applications accessible to users of its VoiceOver program; and
>>>
>>> WHEREAS, accessibility to all users of Apple products should be as
>>> important
>>> as the other criteria on which Apple bases its decisions to accept or
>>> reject
>>> applications: Now, therefore,
>>>
>>> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention
>>> assembled this seventh day of July, 2011, in the city of Orlando,
>>> Florida,
>>> that this organization express its frustration and deep disappointment
>>> with
>>> Apple for allowing the release of applications that contain icons,
>>> buttons,
>>> and other controls that cannot be identified by the blind user of
>>> VoiceOver,
>>> thereby rendering them nonvisually inaccessible; and
>>>
>>> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Apple, in the
>>> strongest
>>> possible terms, to work with the National Federation of the Blind to
>>> create
>>> and enforce a set of requirements for accessibility that will, at a
>>> minimum,
>>> compel application developers to label buttons, menus, icons, selection
>>> lists, checkboxes, and other controls so that VoiceOver users can
>>> identify
>>> and operate them.
>>>
>>> From: Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 12:22 PM
>>> To: Curtis Chong
>>> Cc: Chris Becherer
>>> Subject: Re: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility
>>> Requirements
>>> in Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Curtis,
>>>
>>> Apologies for the delayed response -- I've been on vacation for the last
>>> 2
>>> weeks.
>>>
>>> Thank you very much for sending this on. As always, we greatly
>>> appreciate
>>> the NFB's feedback and will continue to share this with both the App
>>> Store
>>> and the Accessibility teams.
>>>
>>> We'd like to reiterate some of the previous points made as well as to
>>> bring
>>> you up to speed on some recent additions:
>>>
>>> 1) The iOS SDK has the basic foundation for making apps
>>> VoiceOver-compatible
>>> built directly into the source code.
>>> 2) Late last year, we sent out an article to every registered iOS
>>> developer
>>> on the ease and value of making apps VoiceOver compatible including
>>> links
>>> to
>>> the Accessibility Programming Guide.
>>> 3) For the last three Apple Worldwide Developers Conferences, we've run
>>> multiple sessions and follow-up labs on making applications VoiceOver
>>> compatible for both the Mac and iOS devices that have been very well
>>> attended.
>>> 4) Since then, our Developer Relations team has worked one on one with
>>> developers to continually educate them on the importance of
>>> accessibility
>>> and provide tips, documentation, links to videos, code examples and
>>> examples
>>> of other developers who have had great success with making their apps
>>> accessible all in an effort to make it as easy as possible for them to
>>> ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>> 5) We've added a new VoiceOver feature in our upcoming release of iOS 5
>>> that
>>> allows users to apply custom labels to UI elements in their favorite
>>> third-party apps. This way, even if the developer has not labeled their
>>> buttons in a VoiceOver-compatible way, users have the ability to do this
>>> directly. This won't slow our efforts encouraging developers to build
>>> compatible apps using all the strategies outlined above, but we think it
>>> will be a really useful feature for VoiceOver users.
>>>
>>> We will continue to invest time and resources into educating our
>>> developer
>>> community about accessibility in general, and specifically messaging
>>> what
>>> they can do to ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> Thank you again for your continued support,
>>>
>>> Sarah
>>>
>>> From: Curtis Chong
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 5:41 PM
>>> To: Sarah Herrlinger
>>> Cc: Chris Becherer
>>> Subject: RE: NFB Resolution Regarding the Lack of Accessibility
>>> Requirements
>>> in Apple Products
>>>
>>> Dear Sarah:
>>>
>>> Thank you for your September 23, 2011 response to my email. I very much
>>> appreciate your willingness to keep our lines of communication open.
>>>
>>> In your response, you mention some very encouraging aspects of Apple's
>>> efforts to promote accessibility and VoiceOver compatibility, among
>>> them:
>>>
>>> 1. that the iOS SDK has the basic foundation for making apps
>>> VoiceOver-compatible built directly into the source code;
>>>
>>> 2. that late last year, you sent out an article to every registered iOS
>>> developer on the ease and value of making apps VoiceOver compatible
>>> including links to the Accessibility Programming Guide;
>>>
>>> 3. that during the last three Apple Worldwide Developers Conferences,
>>> you
>>> ran multiple sessions and follow-up labs on making applications
>>> VoiceOver
>>> compatible for both the Mac and iOS devices--sessions that were very
>>> well
>>> attended; and
>>>
>>> 4. that since then, your Developer Relations team has worked one on one
>>> with
>>> developers to continually educate them on the importance of
>>> accessibility
>>> and provide tips, documentation, links to videos, code examples and
>>> examples
>>> of other developers who have had great success with making their apps
>>> accessible--all in an effort to make it as easy as possible for them to
>>> ensure their apps are compatible with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> I hope that you understand that we in the National Federation of the
>>> Blind
>>> in Computer Science have no doubt whatsoever as to your commitment to
>>> accessibility by the blind to Apple products. In this context, we (like
>>> you) are particularly encouraged by the new VoiceOver feature in your
>>> upcoming release of iOS 5 that will allow users to "apply custom labels
>>> to
>>> UI elements in their favorite third-party apps." As you say, this will
>>> make
>>> it possible for users to label many buttons and controls for themselves,
>>> thereby alleviating some accessibility problems.
>>>
>>> As I have been saying all along, Apple is doing a very good job of
>>> "encouraging" app developers to do the right thing. Our views diverge
>>> when
>>> the question of accessibility requirements is raised. If you will go
>>> back
>>> to
>>> the resolution adopted by the National Federation of the Blind at its
>>> 2011 Convention, the last Resolve reads:
>>>
>>> "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Apple, in the
>>> strongest
>>> possible terms, to work with the National Federation of the Blind to
>>> create
>>> and enforce a set of requirements for accessibility that will, at a
>>> minimum,
>>> compel application developers to label buttons, menus, icons, selection
>>> lists, checkboxes, and other controls so that VoiceOver users can
>>> identify
>>> and operate them."
>>>
>>> Like you, we believe in the power of education and encouragement--when
>>> they
>>> produce the desired result. However, we believe that there are some
>>> instances where encouragement alone is not enough. Some things simply
>>> must
>>> be required if they are to be implemented. This is why Apple and the
>>> National Federation of the Blind need to enter into discussions so that
>>> we
>>> can come to an agreement as to what extent requirements need to be
>>> applied
>>> to the question of accessibility and compatibility with VoiceOver.
>>>
>>> Again, thank you for keeping the lines of communication open and for the
>>> encouraging news about upcoming changes in iOS 5 and VoiceOver. I hope
>>> that
>>> I have helped you to gain a better understanding of our perspective on
>>> this
>>> entire question of accessibility.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely,
>>>
>>> Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
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