Some have proposed that Apple simply not approve apps unless they are
accessible. Of course, that can make things very interesting as well.
What defines accessible? My definition would be that all elements of an
app are accessible using voiceover and properly labeled. But, what
about apps like 3 d games? There is no way that I know of to make those
read using a screen reader. It's unlikely that Apple will take this
approach. I think the best thing we can do both on IOS and Android is
make developers aware of the accessibility problems we are having, and
hope they fix them. In many cases, developers are simply not aware of
the problem. And it's important to clearly explain the issue. Saying
something like, your application is not accessible using voiceover is
basically meaningless. Recently on the Android platform, I wanted to
use an application where the controls were not labeled, so, when
swiping through the screen, talkback would just say, "button. button."
I contacted the developer and explained the situation, first I
explained what talkback was and how it allows a blind person to use an
android device. Then I explained the problem with the app's controls
and what was missing. I'm sure IOS has something similar, but in the
case of Android, one of the attributes for each control is called
content description. This is not displayed on the screen, but the
accessibility framework will provide this to a screen reader if
present. So I asked the developer to add a content description for each
control and also included a link to the part of the android developer
guide explaining this. The developer was very receptive to this and
from what he says, everything will be labeled in the next release. Of
course, not all developers are that helpful, but I think with both
platforms, most are willing to correct problems like this if they are
properly informed about them.
Original message:
Hi there, you do bring up a good point and it's something I mostly agree
with you on. For example, most of the time when I've requested an app
refund it's been because of a difference in price, or because of a
mistake in something like, a free app with an app-purchase, or a full
version app, which is totally separate and I wasn't clear on how it
worked exactly. The List Recorder app being the prime example of this.
Other times I've requested a refund were because the app in question
made my phone lock up. Yes, go figure that an app which was approved by
the app store was that unstable. In that case I felt that it went beyond
accessibility. Now, here's where maybe I'm being my own hypocrite, I
have requested an refund for an app which was zero percent accessible.
Like the kind where I tried it, and nothing was spoken by Voice Over.
I'm not talking about an app which somewhat works, but one which no
matter what you do, nothing is heard. I too usually contact the
developers and go that route first in the hopes that they will consider
it and maybe release something in the future which will be accessible.
Because of this, I've waited on several apps for which i could have
requested refunds for and some have been worth it, some have not. Still,
that's how I tend to do my deciding on whether I'll ask for a refund. On
one hand I agree that it's not Apple's responsibility since they are not
the developers, but on the other hand, I feel Apple is partially
responsible, because they are the ones collecting money for this, and
the ones who approve or reject the app to begin with. So, it's a gray
area at best and one which only you, the individual iDevice user can
decide on how to proceed. I don't believe in asking for app refunds for
apps which you buy and don't like however, and I'm sure there are people
both on and off this list who do that.
--
Raul A. Gallegos
I wish I could mute people in real life. - Sheldon Cooper
Twitter and Facebook user ID: rau47
On 8/2/2013 8:39 PM, Joanne Chua wrote:
Hi,
First at all, let me clarify that what i'm about to say is purely come
from my own views, it is not particularly heading towards individuals,
or a group of people.
This stuff about Apple not refunding credits for apps is ones again a
hot topic on this list.
However, is that really Apple's fault if they not refunding the credit
for the apps, just because it have some accessibilities issue, or, we,
as consumer simply asking too much?
After all, in Apple purchase T.O.C, there's no such statement stated
that every apps need to be accessible, should be accessible.
It is up to us, as consumer to make the decision before purchase?
Have we ever thought of returning a window machine in the pass because
they not accessible? Have we ever thought of asking Micro not so Soft
to refund $$$ that we pay for their window OS?
I'm a very strong advicate of accessibility, but i also believe that
there's a belance in such.
I do agree with some of the listers, perhaps, They could include an
accessibility category and have other sub-cat under the category. If
they do, for the interest of Apple and the developers, i urge Apple to
put something about there's a risk for consumer to purchase apps beyond
the accessibility category to be inaccessible. If so, it is the
consumer responsibilities to contact the developer, and no refund will
be consider on the condition that the app is not accessible.Joanne Shuang Chua
Leaders For Tomorrow 2013 Candidate
Send from my iPad
On 03/08/2013, at 4:21, Nimit Gmail <kaur.ni...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Sieghard,
That's surely not something most people would expect from apple.
Talking to another representativve is always a good idea. Someone I
knew had a similar experience and they actually called apple and
reported it. I didn't know what happened next as I really didn't find
it that important then. They did, however, ended up getting their
refund, that I know for sure. I know they didn't give up and kept
fighting. No, please! I am not trying to tell you to fight with
apple. All I am saying that if I were you, I would let apple know that
this kind of situation happen and the customer service provided is not
the best. Maybe, just drop a lime . Now, it is likely, that they
might not directly not fix your refund issue, but at least, they know
that happens and they need to support us by making their customer
service a little better. No, I am not saying that apple is not good
with cust service, but sometimes,they just need to make their workers
more aware of accessibility? I hope y
ou somehow get it fixed. It's a shame... Well, good luck. As
somebody said, droping a line to accessibility team in apple might be a
good idea. Good day, everyone.
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 2, 2013, at 12:28 PM, Sieghard Weitzel <siegh...@live.ca> wrote:
Hi Ben and Kirsten,
Thanks, Ben, I think letting accessibil...@apple.com know about this is a
good idea. In large companies like Apple different departments and teams
often fight with each other to get things done and hopefully one day there
will be a mandatory statement about accessibility in the app description.
Thanks, also, Kirsten for your message. I actually am talking to another
iTunes Store Support person regarding an issue I had redeeming one of the
$50 gift cards I purchased on Monday on a promo from 7 11. One f the cards
said it couldn't be redeemed because it was inproperly activated so I wrote
to Apple. Consequently I went back to the 7 11 where I bought the card and
it turned out they forgot to do whatever hey do to activate the card and
they fixed it. However, I also received a reply from iTunes Store support
and I replied to this agent and explained my dealings with the other one and
I'll let you all know what my experience is this time.
I am not all that worried about the 6 Bucks I spend on those 2 apps, I
bought apps before which didn't turn out to be all that Voiceover friendly,
but if an app is 99 Cents or even a Dollar 99 I usually can't be bothered
and I only requested the refund this time because it was 2 apps for $2.99
each. I certainly won't stop buying apps even given the risk they might not
work.
Regards,
Sieghard
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