[real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
- From: "jose" <crunch1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:49:07 -0500
from what I found the contact is >>>
Sarah Herrlinger
she was at this years CSNU cConferince. I am working on getting her
contact info. will post it asap unless someone els beets me to it.
she was contacted by
Curtis Chong, President
>>> National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
>>>
Jose Lopez, President
Lopez Language Services, LLC
"We Speak Your Language"
Call us anytime at 888.824.3022
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine McDonald" <cmcdonald.cei@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 12:04 PM
Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Correspondence With Apple About Accessibility
>
>> 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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>>>> To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription
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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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