here is my experience and hope this could help someone.
Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, was launched in November 2011. It includes
two accessibility features from previous Android versions: Talkback, the
native screen reader (1.6), and Enhanced Web Access, a set of scripts for
handling web views (3.0). It also introduces two important accessibility
features: systemwide font size adjustments for low-vision users and Explore
by Touch for blind users.
All of these features are found in Settings under Accessibility, near the
bottom of the list.
Talkback is a screen reader. When enabled, it speaks the contents of the
screen. If only the screen reader is enabled, on-screen controls are
activated in the usual way. This means that, when a Bluetooth keyboard is
paired to the device, blind users hear items spoken as they arrow around the
screen, but if they touch the screen, they hear the items spoken and
activate them at the same time-not ideal. To enable Talkback, go to
Settings/Accessibility/Talkback. Touch the Enable checkbox, and when the
confirmation screen asks if you're sure you want to give the accessibility
service access to all your information, touch OK. Talkback should
automatically download a TTS engine, but if it doesn't, plan to get one
(ESpeak or Acapella) from the Play Store.
Web scripts have been developed to make webviews accessible. In previous
versions of Android, web views--found in many apps, browsers, and email
readers-don't communicate with screen readers, so any information or
controls presented in this way are not available to blind users. While the
scripts are buggy, they increase the number of apps usable by blind
individuals. To enable Web scripts, go to Settings/Accessibility, and check
Enhanced Web Accessibility. Then touch Back or Home. With this item checked,
the device runs the scripts when a webview is encountered. There is a delay
while the scripts are loading, and there is often also a period of silence,
as the screen reader or TTS crashes and recovers. Once the phone is
speaking, Users can explore the screen with a finger to hear the contents.
If they hear silence over an area of the screen, they can explore it withthe
the virtual d-pad of the Eyes-Free keyboard.
Font size can now be set to small, medium, or large for more comfortable
reading, but there are still no settings for contrast or screen
magnification. To set font size, go to Settings/Accessibility/Font. Touch
the dropdown list. Touch the item you want. Touch OK. Then touch Back or
Home.
Explore by touchgives blind users access to the screen without the need for
a physical navigational controller (i.e., arrow keys, a d-pad, trackball, or
trackpad). With Explore by Touch enabled, blind users can hear the contents
of the screen simply by exploring (sliding a finger over) it, and they can
activate an icon by locating it, lifting the finger, and touching the icon
again. To enable Explore by touch, go to Settings/Accessibility and touch
the Explore by Touch check box. A confirmation screen appears, asking
whether you're sure you want to enable the service. Touch OK. Then touch
Back or Home twice. Once Explore by touch is enabled, controls need to be
touched twice to be activated. The first touch causes them to be spoken. The
second touch activates them.
Once all accessibility services are enabled in ICS, it is time to use the
device. There are very few gestures to learn, and once they are learned,
users can follow instructions in the user's manual or on the web. The
gestures require a little practice, some more than others.
Again, once Explore by touch is enabled, controls need to be touched twice
to be activated. The first touch causes them to be spoken. The second touch
activates them.
To short-press or activate an item, slide a finger to it. Lift your finger
from the screen, and tap once in the same place. For best results, lift your
finger only enough to break contact with the screen.
To long-press an item, slide a finger to it. Lift your finger from the
screen. touch the same place, keeping your finger on the screen until the
phone vibrates and gives you more options.
To pull down the notification bar, touch the top of the screen (so the phone
tells you the time, battery status, etc.). Lift your finger. Then with two
fingers, touch the top edge of the screen and slide both fingers down until
you hear the phone say something like, "Notification shade pulled down." On
some handsets, you can pull the notification bar down with one finger,
instead of two.
To scroll through a list, touch anywhere on the screen with one or two
fingers. Lift your hand. Then touch the screen with two fingers and slide
them up or down. When you touch the screen the first time, you're supposed
to touch an item, but the gesture usually works even if you don't do that.
In either case, if you slide your fingers up/down, then pause before sliding
them up/down again, you scroll through the list little by little, but if you
don't pause before sliding again, you move through bigger parts of the list.
You also move through more items if you slide over most of the length of the
screen. If you are successful, you hear a series of rising or falling tones
as you scroll.
To move to the previous/next tab or screen, slide two fingers left or right
across the screen. The two fingers can be next to each other or one above
the other. If you are successful, you hear two rising or falling beeps.
To drag an item, find it with one finger. Lift that finger. then touch the
same place and keep your finger on the screen. When the phone vibrates or
announces that you can drag, slide your finger over the screen in the
direction you want. The device emits a series of beeps as you drag. Note:
when you're exploring the screen, you need to use a light touch; otherwise,
you may find yourself inadvertently dragging items.
To clear a single notification in the notification area or to quit an app on
the Recently used screen, touch the item once with one finger. Then touch it
again with two fingers and slide your fingers to the left or right edge of
the screen.
To interrupt speech, wave your hand over the proximity sensor or touch some
part of the screen, like the Home or Back button at the bottom. For this to
work, the appropriate setting must be enabled in Talkback settings.
To hear the state of a checkbox, find the checkbox; then slide your finger
horizontally left/right till you hear the screen reader say, "checked" or
"unchecked," Usually when you reach the far edge of the screen.
To gesture within an app, try the gesture as instructed. If it doesn't work,
try it with two fingers. For example, most handsets let you unlock the
screen or answer a call by sliding a finger horizontally near the bottom. If
that doesn't work, slide two fingers horizontally in the same location.
While some accessibility issues remain, systemwide font size adjustment and
Explore by Touch (introduced in 4.0) and web scripts for web views
(introduced in 3.0), significantly improve the level of accessibility for
low-vision and blind Android users.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kiran Kaja" <kirankaj...@gmail.com>
To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 2:58 AM
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
couple of tips for starters:
It is important to understand the basic concepts of touchscreen
accessibility. The idea is that you explore the items on the screen by
touching them with one finger. The device reads out the item currently
under
your finger. It just reads it out and doesn't activate it. If you want to
activate the item, you would then double tap the screen. Double tapping
the
screen involves tapping the screen with one finger twice quickly. You
don't
have to precisely double tap on the item. Once you have selected the item
buy touching it, you can double tap anywhere on the screen to activate it.
There are a number of additional gestures which do a lot of things.
I suggest going through the iPhone user manual at
http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/voiceover/en/ and particularly reading the
VoiceOver section under Accessibility section in the manual at
http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/voiceover/en/iph3e2e4218.html.
Also, during the initial stages of learning, it is important to remember
that when exploring the screen, you should try not to touch the screen
with
2 fingers simultaneously. This may accidentally activate things. the
easiest
way to avoid this is to close all your fingers in a fist and just open the
index finger and explore the screen.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Kiran
-----Original Message-----
From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On
Behalf
Of BHAVESH
Sent: 09 October 2012 19:35
To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
Hi all,
I think all of us can use the touch screen devices efficiently. Even I
was also scared from the touch screen devices when I was given An I
phone for the first time at my company (Barrierbreak technologies).
However with some practice, I can now use it without hezitency! I can
even demo if required to sighted folks. even for those who are scared
from android, there are a few softwares like eyes-free keyboard to
help you out. or if your budget is a little higher, you can go for
eyescrem sandwhich devices, which has touch and explore feature built
in talkback. and with the powerfull GPS accuracy, android shines! I
think if a totally blind person like me can use the touch screen, then
why cant you all use it??
All the best!
Bhavesh.
On 10/9/12, Srinivasu Chakravarthula <li...@srinivasu.org> wrote:
Hi,
Ism low vision person too and find it with no difficulty..
Best,
Vasu
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 9, 2012, at 10:54 AM, Shona Man <shonam...@gmail.com> wrote:
After reading the I Phone reviews, I wish it had physical keypad! I am
partially blind but the idea of having fully screen tuch phone is
scary for me.
On 10/9/12, Kiran Kaja <kirankaj...@gmail.com> wrote:
Comes build-in on all iPhones, iPads and iPods. What's more, if you
have
a
new device, you can start VoiceOver on your own to setup the device.
-----Original Message-----
From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On
Behalf
Of bhawani shankar verma
Sent: 09 October 2012 14:19
To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
does voice over come with iphone or ipad? or one has to download and
install
it separately.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kiran Kaja" <kirankaj...@gmail.com>
To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in>
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
Thanks to Vasu for bringing this thread to my attention. There is a
Hindi
TTS on iOS. I do not think you can change the entire interface of the
iPhone
or iPad to Hindi. But if there is web content in Hindi like
bbc.co.uk/Hindi,
if you have enabled it, the iPhone switches to Hindi TTS for reading
the
text. Hindi is one of the options in Settings > General >
Accessibility
>
VoiceOver > Language Rotor. And the TTS quality is very good in my
opinion.
I am probably chipping in too late in this discussion but for blind
users
requiring screen reader support, Talkback really falls way behind
VoiceOver.
I did a couple of blog posts about my experience with Talkback and
Android
JellyBean here
http://kirankaja12.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/random-thoughts-on-android-jelly
bean-and-google-nexus-7-accessibility/ and
http://kirankaja12.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/android-jellybean-accessibility-
continued-books-music-movies-and-youtube/.
And the Android JellyBean version hasn't hit the Samsung Galaxy S3
yet.
if
as a screen reader user, you still want to buy an Android handset, you
may
be better off buying one of the Google branded devices such as the
Galaxy
Nexus. This is because they are stock Android and do not have any
additional
skins/customised interfaces which usually do not work with Talkback. I
believe there are also ways to install unofficial Android firmware on
devices like Galaxy S3 but do it at your own risk.
One other reason for selecting Android is the price. There are a lot
of
cheaper Android devices than either the iPhone and Galaxy S3. On the
other
hand if you are a partially sighted user, you may appreciate the large
4.8
inch display of the Galaxy S3. And I heard that text
enlargement/screen
magnification features will be improved in Android soon. I don't know
if
it
will be as good as the Zoom feature on iOS however.
Just my two cents worth...
-----Original Message-----
From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On
Behalf
Of Srinivasu Chakravarthula
Sent: 09 October 2012 10:29
To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in
Cc: accessindia@accessindia.org.in
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
Hi,
I sent a twitter message to Kiran asking him for clarification..
Requested
him to post on the list, if he can...
Vasu
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 8, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Ketan Kothari <muktake...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Dear Friends,
I am surprised too. I think Kiran or someone who uses Iphone must
intervene and let us know. I did find chinese, Korean and whatever
but not Hindi. Of course, there is another possibility in that maybe
it may be downloadable. So Kiran if you are seeing this, please do
clarify as I am seriously thinking to shift sooner than later.
Ketan
On 10/9/12, Srinivasu Chakravarthula <li...@srinivasu.org> wrote:
Dear Ketan -
I just checked on my iPhone 4S as well by calling Apple support here
in the US, sadly there is no Hindi support for VoiceOver...
-Vasu
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 8, 2012, at 1:33 AM, Ketan Kothari <muktake...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Dear All,
Is there any way of using Hindi TTS on Iphone? I know that there
is
a way of writing Hindi for sighted users on Iphone. Please do
throw
some light.
With best wishes,
Ketan
On 10/8/12, Prashant Ranjan Verma <pr_ve...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Dear Ketan and others,
This may add to your disappointment.
Hindi TTS is not available for Android yet which means Hindi
reading or writing is not possible for the blind.
The business cards from NOKIA sent to android are generally not
supported and vice versa.
I am adding to the list so that you take the informed
decision.<smile>
-----Original Message-----
From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in]
On Behalf Of Rahul Kelapure
Sent: 08 October 2012 11:05
To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in
Subject: Re: [AI] My first two weeks with Samsung S3
Answer to your first question is Yes. Talk is not preloaded in my
phone.
Internet, I haven't used it.
On 10/8/12, ashook kumaaaaar <ashokkumaaa...@gmail.com> wrote:
r battary and sound quality good? can i use internet easily
in
it? does talk back preloaded on it? ashok kumar.
On 10/8/12, Rahul Kelapure <rkelap...@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Ketan,
My phone has Icecreeme Sandwitch, however, I hear, you may
upgrade the same to JB if your phone allows to I.E. if the
specifications are good enough. Mine are good enough I hear.
All those apps you refered can be used easyly. I also have a
Tablet which has IC Android in that I use Talkback. In my phone,
I am yet to explore things, as screenreading software is not
inbuilt, I need to download first.
Will let know when I actually use them and problems faced if
any.
Thanks and warm regards,
Rahul
On 10/8/12, Ketan Kothari <muktake...@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Rahul,
Actually, I am looking for either Iphone (prohibitively
expensive) or Android 4.1 Jelly bean phone. Does your Carbon
have talkback or spiel? Are you able to use apps? FB, Twitter
etc? Do share so that I can make my decision.
With regards,
Ketan
On 10/8/12, ashook kumaaaaar <ashokkumaaa...@gmail.com> wrote:
hello friends is there any person who is using carbonn a18?
If yes then pls share your comments. Because i m looking
for
this
thanks.
ashok kumar.
On 10/8/12, Ketan Kothari <muktake...@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Accessindians,
Interesting discussion, but the more I read the more
depressed
I get as I love to use my phone beyond mere phone. Since
Android and Iphone have no keyboard, I am actually feeling
very
insecure.
Are there any Android phones at the higher end with keyboard?
Is there any blind/low vision friend who is using Iphone? I
think the learning curve in Iphone and Android devices is
very
steep.
Do comment please and try and lift this veil of depression.
With best wishes,
Ketan
On 10/3/12, Prashant Ranjan Verma <pr_ve...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
Hello,
I recently bought Samsung galaxy S3 android phone. You will
know that along with iPhone it is touted as the best smart
phone and the internet is full of comparisons.
I chose to buy this instead of iPhone 5 because first in
India iPhone
5
will
arrive only in November or December and secondly the new
Maps
application is not likely to work in India until further few
months on the iPhone.
In addition to this I wanted to test book reading apps on
android as a part of my professional work.
With Talkback, eyes free keyboard and few other apps this
phone has become accessible. Despite no physical keys it is
possible to do everything on the phone although several
things take much more time as compared to a phone with full
keypad. The voice recognition feature is much improved and I
am eagerly waiting for its Jelly bean update after which it
will be possible to do more with voice. Even now I am able
to
search contacts and send sms with the voice recognition
app.
This phone is a delight for a person with low vision. The
fantastic big screen with the option of increasing the font
size to large or huge makes the screen readable. The digital
magnifying apps are also wonderful.
They
convert this device into a good reading tool giving serious
competition to the digital magnifiers which alone sell for
20
K and beyond. I won't recommend this to a totally blind
person
yet.
It will be an unnecessary extra expenditure on a big screen.
Time permitting I will write more on this.
Prashant
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with best regards,
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Message composed on Dell vostro1440, using jaws for windows screen reader.
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