[vi-kindle] Re: On the topic of improving TTS
- From: "Meka White, LMP" <meka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vi-kindle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:00:29 -0700
as I recall, I think that Apple didn't really get on board until there was a
lawsuit that was filed.
I would be less hesitant about recommending kindle products to my friends if
the TTS were improved. That is how it could be financially feasible for
them. I hate having to go in to discussions with perspective kindle buyers.
'oh it's wonderful. but you can't do this because this part won't work.
You'll need help with this. Okay, if you ever want to change wireless
networks you'll need help with that. I hope you don't want to spell words
in a story because you won't be able to do that. You can't really highlight
text in the book from your kindle in an accessible manner. Oh,no, there is
some clunkiness involved with this. Oh, but it's really great and if you
just want to read non-stop, it's awesome, but for the 40 percent of features
that are also wonderful, you can't. So, you'll just be paying for sixty
percent of usage.'
That is what makes me sad and it astounds me that some of us wouldn't want
better from amazon. It also saddens me because of the words 'militant blind
people' which seem to be a term happily thrown around this list. You can be
an advocate without being a jerk. Once the iPhone started working better
for blind people, word got out and it spread and lots of us started
purchasing it because we saw that it works. apple consistently updates their
products and they even profiled accessibility at their Worldwide Developers
Conference. Whether forced or not, they did take that step, and people are
purchasing and using their products. Amazon's a big company. I can't help
but imagine how putting more functionality in their TTS would help them
greatly. The better it works, the less hesitant I am in recommending, the
more people purchase, the more money that they receive.
Meka
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kimber Gardner" <kimbersinbox1963@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <vi-kindle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2012 11:14 PM
Subject: [vi-kindle] Re: On the topic of improving TTS
Why did Apple build accessibility into all its products?
I don't know the answer, but it seems like the decision to do so would
have to be a philosophical one given the tiny percentage of the
overall market that blind people make up.
This isn't to say we shouldn't encourage amazon to invest in
accessibility, but I'm not sure how doing so would be financially
beneficial to the company.
K
On 6/23/12, Craig Werner <craig_werner@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> When thinking about moving forward on advocating for more accessibility,
> I'm wondering about two things. First, I wonder why Kindle for PC with
> Accessibility Plugin came to be. Does anyone know the history of this
> plugin? Who developed it, and why? Second, I'm wondering how a user
> base mobilizes and stirs the conscience of a large company. I have some
> friends in marketing, and I'm going to ask them this very question over
> the next few days. I'm not expecting a magical response.
>
> Craig
>
> On 6/23/2012 4:49 PM, Felinitye wrote:
>> I suspect that there is no such contact because Amazon does not, at this
>> point, see either a need for or benefit of, having one. Convincing them
>> ...or rather, demonstrating to them that having an accessibility contact
>> would benefit their profitability is our job, and I doubt it can be done
>> immediately. I am thinking that what we will find productive is to: 1.
>> Begin gathering our Kindle readers and enthusiasts into a cohesive, even
>> tightly knit community, one that we can point to with some pride when we
>> decide it's time to impress Amazon, and 2. Continue advocating, strongly
>> and positively, within our community to "recruit" new visually impaired
>> Kindle users. When we reach the "tipping point" and Amazon realizes we
>> have
>> definite market potential, we won't need to pursue them, they will make
>> overtures to us.
>>
>> I think it is important that there is no mandate for Amazon to make their
>> products accessible. They added TTS for other reasons, we found it, and
>> are
>> using it ...but until we can convince Amazon that it is worth their
>> efforts
>> to cooperate with us, it isn't especially likely that we will, on any
>> major
>> scale. The only obligation Amazon has to us is the same they have to any
>> customer, no more, but no less, either, and we would be well advised to
>> keep
>> this in mind. However, if we approach this issue as a PR campaign, with
>> the
>> goal of recruiting Amazon to actively participate with us in making their
>> products more accessible in ways that all their customers will also find
>> beneficial, or in ways that will involve a minimum of effort on their
>> pat,
>> we might find the ultimate benefits well worth *our* efforts.
>>
>> I'm not a PR expert of anything close, so I'm sure my thoughts on this
>> matter are incomplete, at best, but I present them mostly to stimulate
>> others with more experience in these areas.
>>
>> Shoshana
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
--
Kimberly
Other related posts:
