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.

iPod Nano speaks navigation and song titles too

Part of the same effort. User may turn on larger text, or enable spoken items from within iTunes.

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Interesting.

I use Rockbox and I've noticed that a large number of Rockbox users are blind (I am not). Rockbox has supported voice prompts for quite a long time now - obviously the word has gotten out since many of these users are not the sorts of people who would be flashing custom firmware onto an mp3 player otherwise. A fair amount of effort has been devoted to accessibility on the project, and I don't think that many other mp3 players can make that claim.

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I am all for accessibility for the blind and deaf but talking about adding this to a visual gaming system? That is going a little far don't you think?

Good start Apple

Now how about incorporating this into every Cocoa app? Provide developers with an API so they can use it as well.

Re:Good start Apple

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Accessibility/Reference/AccessibilityLowlevel/index.html [apple.com]

The problem was largely with the Windows version of iTunes, as well as the Music Store, which uses non-standard windows. But basic accessibility is built into OS X (they tell me its a little more clunky than the screen-readers for Windows, but it is free and built-in)

Turn it on in the Universal Access pane. Try using it; you'll probably give up in frustration after about five minutes. Makes you appreciate having good eyesight.

Awesome!

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.

Re:Awesome!

Safari and the many other application on the Mac are accessible to the blind. The Mac has a built in screen reader, VoiceOver, that permit the blind as well as the print disabled to have the screen read to them and to navigate to onscreen controls.

Most Cocoa application are, by default, accessible to VoiceOver and there are simple and well documented steps a programmer can do to insure there Macintosh applications are accessible.

Because VoiceOver is built into the OS and not an added services the blind users literally saves $1000s of dollars over the cost of a Windows PC.

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In XP, just look under Start | All Programs | Accessories | Accessibility... You'll find a number of accessibility programs, including a screen reader, magnifier, and programs to configure manage these features (Vista has these too, of course). What added services are you thinking of that cost $1000s?

There's plenty to knock Microsoft for, but I don't think accessibility support in their OS's is one of them. And honestly, are you seriously trying to tell me that buying a Mac is ever cheaper than a roughly

Re:Awesome!

Actually, many deaf people enjoy music. They experience vibrations from loud music in a way that you cannot, and appreciate rhythm. They also enjoy the experience of a concert; venues are required by law to provide interpreters for the deaf upon request.

Beethoven, as we all know, continued to compose brilliant works even after he was completely unable to hear.

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Kindly call me the day that there's a DragonForce show that's interpreted for the deaf. I'd pay double the ticket price just to see someone keep up with them.

Braille?

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?

Re:Braille?

Pray tell, how does a software upgrade convert text into Braille? Does it just display a series of dots on the screen?

Yes, if by "display" you mean "raise and lower a set of pins". On Wikipedia, see Braille display [wikipedia.org].

Re:Braille?

I wonder what the Blue Screen of Death feels like. Prickly?

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Sort of. The interface is rather remarkable. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refreshable_Braille_display [wikipedia.org]

Nice headline but isn't 1990 calling back?

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?

It's not politically correct...

...to call users who don't understand or care about Apple DRM blind. Think of how insulting it is to the blind.

Attorney General

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).

Re:penis?

that's what i'm talking 'bout...

Unfortunately, blind people won't hear you.

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Shh... speak softly and he wont be able to see you...

Re:Touchscreens Still Blow For Sightless

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?

Re:Touchscreens Still Blow For Sightless

I use my iPhone every morning without looking at it. I am a master of hitting the snooze area of the screen.

Re:Welcome to the 80's Apple

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.

You mean like this [apple.com]:

Full Keyboard Navigation
In Mac OS X, you can use the keyboard to navigate through a document. The Tab key lets you navigate to lists, text boxes, and other controls, and the space bar and Return key let you interact with them.

Keyboard Shortcuts
Using keyboard shortcuts (or key combinations), you can quickly perform a wide range of tasks. In addition to the large number of predefined keyboard shortcuts included with Mac OS X, the Mac lets you customize existing shortcuts, create your own, or remove shortcuts you don't use. Shortcuts can be systemwide or made to work only in specific applications. Use the Keyboard Shortcuts tab in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences to add or modify shortcuts.

Slow Keys
If you have motor-skills disabilities, you can use Slow Keys to avoid typing errors and unintended multiple keystrokes.

Adjustable Key Repeat and Delay
If you want to change the Key Repeat or Delay Until Repeat rate to suit your needs, you can do so using the Keyboard & Mouse settings in System Preferences. Used in conjunction with Slow Keys, these settings let you adapt the keyboard to match your abilities and use it more effectively.

Sticky Keys
Using Sticky Keys, you can enter key combinations (called "chords") -- such as Command-Q (for Quit) or Shift-Option-8 (to enter the symbol) -- by pressing them in sequence instead of simultaneously.

When Sticky Keys is active, Mac OS X visually displays each key in the sequence in the upper-right corner of the screen, accompanied by a sound effect, so you can verify the sequence and correct it (if needed) before it's entered. When you press the last key in the sequence, Mac OS X enters the keys as a chord and the visual representation disappears.

Mouse Keys
If you have difficulty controlling the mouse, you can use Mouse Keys to control the mouse pointer using the keys on a numeric keypad. With Mouse Keys, you can navigate menus, the Dock, windows, toolbars, palettes, and other controls by pressing keys.

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And, well, sorry, but the Windows universe has long been better for blind and near-blind users than the OS X universe. Though Apple has made some serious strides in the past few years, they're still behind.

Simple things, like not tab-stopping commit/cancel buttons, make the process significantly harder for usability programmers and users alike.

Applause should be given for making strides on this front, but Apple is still playing catch-up.

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The option is there but by default on Mac OS X tab only jumps to the next text field. If you want to make it jump through all controls you need to enable it in system preferences. I've forgot exactly where it is though...

Weasel words.

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 [accessifyforum.com] (he interacts with his PC via a mouthstick):

Very annoying. In short i'm refering to th