• RT @ppatel Webaim is conducting a screen reader user survey o gather more definitive data on screen reader users: http://tinyurl.com/3rmwte # 2008/12/18
• News: Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.6 http://www.lioncourt.com/?p=250 # 2008/12/15
• Retweet: @cookiecrook BusinessWeek: Apple is greener than Greenpeace says. http://tinyurl.com/57v4fp # 2008/12/08
• Retweet: @vmwarefusion : Fusion 50% off today, one day only. Details: http://is.gd/9Gqi Coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" # 2008/12/01
• It's Thanksgiving Day in the United States. We're thankful for Apple's commitment to accessibility in their products. # 2008/11/27

Today, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced a cooperative agreement with Apple Inc. to make Apple’s iTunes software more accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Earlier this month, Apple released iTunes 8 with substantial improvements to accessibility for both Mac and Windows users. Under the agreement between Apple and the NFB, Apple will make iTunes U accessible by 31/December, 2008, and will provide full access to the iTunes application by 30/June, 2009.

Over a span of three years, Apple will continue to work with the NFB to maintain accessibility in iTunes for the visually impaired. Apple will donate $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to assist the agency in providing adaptive technology to blind residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

It is interesting to note the timing of this announcement. It comes just one day after Freedom Scientific announced iTunes support in its Jaws for Windows screen reading software. The NFB made no such fanfare when GW Micro announced its work with Apple on iTunes accessibility with Window-Eyes earlier this year, when that accessibility came to fruition earlier this month, or when the vast majority of the iTunes application became accessible with Apple’s VoiceOver screen reading technology for Mac OS X in early 2007.

Nevertheless, Apple has shown tremendous commitment to blind and visually impaired computer users over the last several years with the development and release of VoiceOver, Braille display support in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, access to iTunes under both Mac and WIndows operating systems, iPods with speaking menus, and countless updates to their own OS and software to improve accessibility. It’s about time that an organization like the NFB took notice.

Today, Freedom Scientific announced support in Jaws for Windows versions 8, 9, and 10 for iTunes. As we reported previously, access to iTunes 8 under Windows was a result of an effort between Apple and GW Micro, the makers of Window-Eyes. Freedom Scientific has used this implementation of MSAA to build support into the Jaws for Windows screen reader as well.

As we reported earlier, Apple teamed up with GW Micro to make iTunes 8 accessible with Window-Eyes 7. This was accomplished by fully implementing MSAA (Microsoft Active Accessibility) in the iTunes software. What that means, ultimately, is that other screen readers can also take advantage of the new accessibility features in iTunes 8 if they so choose.

It is clear that Apple’s commitment to accessibility extends far beyond their operating system. They have gone far beyond the efforts of other high-profile technology manufacturers, and we are delighted to be able to report on these efforts.

In addition to the massive accessibility improvements to iTunes 8 with VoiceOver on the Macintosh platform, GW Micro has just announced that they have been working closely with Apple to bring the Windows version of iTunes 8 to users of Window-Eyes, the most powerful screen reading solution for the PC.

In a statement posted by GW Micro on their public mailing list, Aaron Smith writes:

Some of you have hinted that the new software feature were were hiding in Window-Eyes 7.0 was support for iTunes. Well, guess what? You were correct. iTunes 8 has just been released, and it works very nicely with Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 3. Even the iTunes store is now completely accessible in Browse Mode.

GW Micro and Apple have been working together to increase the accessibility of iTunes, and the

latest version of both products proves the success of that collaboration.

While there still may be a few quirks here and there, I encourage you to download iTunes 8 (assuming you’re running Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 3), and try it now.

Apple’s commitment to accessibility seems to now be extending to Windows users as well. This is a fantastic improvement and we’re glad to see access to iTunes being offered to visually impaired PC users as well.