Archive for February, 2011

Previously, we reported on a collection of chess and checkers games that had recently become accessible with VoiceOver. Now, Shredder, a chess app for iOS devices, has been updated, and among the application’s new features is accessibility support for VoiceOver. The developer notes: Accessibility / Voice Over support for almost everything. Please provide feedback if [...]

The Saline Reporter, a publication servicing Saline, Michigan and the surrounding area, posted a touching story about Taylor Parrish, a young autistic boy, whose life has been transformed by the introduction of the iPad into his daily school routine. The iPad has given him the ability to communicate effectively for the first time with those [...]

Earlier today, we reported on the lack of accessibility in Twitterific for Mac in its most recent version, noting that it was a significant step backward from the previous version in this regard. Responding to a VoiceOver user on its Twitter account, the developers have stated: "We took great pains to make it work properly [...]

The IconFactory has released the much anticipated Twitterific 4.0 for Mac OS X. Though Twitterific was one of the first OS X Twitter clients to incorporate accessibility, the application has taken a huge step backward with this release. The message timelines are not exposed to VoiceOver, making the app unusable. Interestingly, much of the app [...]

Garmin StreetPilot, a GPS navigation solution for iOS devices, has been updated to version 6.5.4. The developer notes that this version is now VoiceOver accessible. The app offers all the features one would expect, along with some unique capabilities which differentiate it from the competition. Perhaps most notable among these is the fact that it [...]

iOS developer Marcel Nijman has recently updated his assortment of chess and checkers games for iOS to include VoiceOver support. Besides traditional versions, several variations, such as Chinese Chess, are available as well. With increasing frequency, we are seeing developers implement accessibility in their iOS applications, and the result is a rich platform that blind [...]

In a new editorial, we take a look at the width and breadth of Apple’s commitment to accessibility over the last ten years, and try to dispel some of the myths, rumors, and misconceptions which persist in the visually impaired community about Apple and its products.

Inkling for iPad is a platform for interactive textbooks, built specifically for iPad. It turns paper-based textbooks into interactive learning experiences while staying compatible with printed textbooks for classroom use. Inkling is a completely new way to learn, and now it is accessible, too! In a recent blog post, the folks behind Inkling describe their [...]

It has recently come to our attention that DropBox, the popular cloud storage solution used by many Mac users, visually impaired or otherwise, is now essentially impossible to setup by VoiceOver users on the Mac platform. Previously, the application was difficult to use with VoiceOver, but users, with some patience, could navigate the setup screens [...]

The Mac-cessibility "Outside the Box" podcast is a chance to hear what the mainstream Apple media’s perceptions are of Apple’s accesibility efforts, as well as get a fresh perspective on what Apple has accomplished thus far. In our first episode, we chat with Adam Christianson, host of the MacCast, one of the first and longest [...]

Audible.com recently updated its mobile web site. Part of this new design is the ability to sample Audible titles on iOS accessibly. Simply tap the "Excerpt" graphic beside any title and the sample begins playing. The mobile version of the site also works quite well under Mac OS X. Instead of fighting with the inaccessible [...]

In this episode, our knights discuss The Mac AppStore, the inaccessibility of e-reader apps, the launch of iPhone 4 on Verizon, audio games, the increasing numbers of assistive technology apps for iOS, and more. Show notes: Matt Gemmel and the Case for Accessibility on iOS Josh’s pick – DollyDrive Eric’s pick – Star Wars Books [...]