With the increasing remote working trends in today’s digital age, virtual meetings have become integral to business and social communication. For people with disabilities, these virtual meetings on digital platforms can sometimes pose accessibility challenges.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 16% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, making it crucial to provide more user-friendly solutions. So, join us as we dive into the accessibility features and challenges of some leading digital platforms, starting with Zoom. Through a series of informative guides, we will explore how these companies work to make their websites more accessible to all users.
In this guide, we will look at Zoom’s accessibility features and share tips on how to make your Zoom meetings more accessible.
Zoom’s Commitment to Accessibility
Zoom has become a popular tool for remote work, online classes, and virtual hangouts. But have you ever wondered if all of its features provide equal access to everyone? The good news is that this virtual meeting software is committed to making its platform inclusive for all users.
The company states on its accessibility page: “Accessibility is at the heart of what we do.” It describes its commitment to accessibility: “Zoom puts users front and center, driving inclusivity for everyone. We listen to our customers and continually seek ways to build the best, most accessible communications experience.”
Zoom Feature Accessibility: A Closer Look
Zoom has a variety of features that make it easy for people with disabilities to participate fully in online meetings, including:
Closed Captioning
Zoom offers closed captioning for meetings, which is incredibly helpful for people with hearing impairment. The captioning can be automated or done by a live captioner, depending on your needs. You can adjust the size of the closed captioning text to make it easier to read.
Keyboard Shortcuts
It also has keyboard shortcuts that can be used instead of a mouse, making it more accessible for people with motor disabilities. And for people with visual impairments, Zoom has screen reader support and the ability to adjust font sizes and colors.
Virtual Background
One cool feature is Zoom’s virtual background option, which can be helpful for people who have visual distractions in their environment or who just want a little extra privacy.
Screen Reader Support
Zoom is compatible with popular screen readers such as VoiceOver, NVDA, and JAWS, allowing visually impaired users to participate in meetings.
High Contrast Mode
Users can switch to high contrast mode, making the interface easier for people with low vision or color blindness.
Focus Mode
This feature allows the user to pin the video of the speaker they want to focus on, making it easier to follow along with the conversation. Blurring the video background helps minimize visual distractions during meetings and makes it easier to focus on the speaker.
Audio Transcription
Besides closed captioning, Zoom offers an audio transcription feature that creates a real-time written transcript of the meeting.
Voicemail Transcription
This feature automatically transcribes voicemail messages into text format, making it easier for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to access and understand voicemail messages.
Text Formatting
There’s an option to format text in the chat feature, making reading messages easier for users with visual impairments.
Dark Mode
This feature changes the background of Zoom’s interface to black, which can be helpful for users with visual impairments or sensitivity to bright light.
Host Can Mute/Unmute Participants (With Consent)
This feature allows the host of a meeting to mute and unmute participants’ audio, which can be helpful for users with hearing impairments or to minimize background noise during a meeting.
Tips To Make Zoom Meetings More Accessible
Making sure that virtual meetings are as inclusive as possible is important, especially as more and more people are now using them to connect. Zoom is a great tool that can bring people together, but it’s important to keep accessibility in mind. Here are some tips and tricks for ensuring everyone can easily participate in Zoom meetings.
Use Closed Captioning
Provide closed captioning for all meetings so that participants with hearing impairments can follow along.
Share Materials In Advance
Send materials like agendas and presentation slides to participants in advance to give them more time to review and prepare.
Use A Clear Background
A clear and uncluttered background helps participants focus on what’s being said and makes it easier for people with visual impairments to follow along.
Use A Microphone
Use a high-quality microphone to ensure everyone can hear you clearly, and encourage them to use a microphone.
Allow For Breaks
Take regular breaks to give participants time to stretch, rest their eyes, and take a break from their screens.
Use Plain Language
Use plain language when speaking or presenting. In other words, avoid technical jargon or complex language (as much as possible) that can be difficult for some participants to understand.
Provide Alternative Formats
When sharing visual materials during a Zoom meeting, provide alternative formats to ensure accessibility for those with visual impairments. This could include providing audio descriptions of images, videos, or text transcripts of any written content.
Spotlight the ASL Interpreters
When recording a Zoom video session with an ASL interpreter, don’t forget to use the “Spotlight” feature so the ASL is captured. Only meeting hosts can access this feature. It will ensure that the interpreter’s video is the main focus during the recording, making it easier for individuals who rely on ASL to access the content later.
Share Keyboard Shortcuts
Before a meeting, share the Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts with participants, especially those using keyboard-only navigation or assistive technology. This will help in case the mouse suddenly stops working.
Zooming In on Accessibility: Enhancing the Meeting Experience for All
Zoom has made significant strides in offering accessibility features that cater to users with different types of disabilities. From closed captioning and keyboard shortcuts to virtual backgrounds and advanced screen reader capabilities, many tools are available to help make Zoom meetings barrier-free for everyone.
These features are only a starting point; we can always do more to make online conferences truly convenient for everyone. By implementing the tips discussed in this guide, we can all work towards creating a more welcoming virtual environment for all participants.
5 Ways to Take Care of Your Hearing Aids This Summer – CNET
Now more than ever, hearing aids are easily accessible to those who need them. If you’re one of the many people who uses a hearing aid, then you know it’s important to take care of your device on a daily basis. This still holds true during the summer as you take part in more outdoor activities, which can put your hearing aids at a greater risk of damage.
You don’t have to avoid your favorite activities, but you should be mindful of protecting your hearing aids to the best of your ability. Moisture from sweat and swimming can be especially harmful, but you can avoid negatively affecting your aids’ function by practicing good hygiene. We received some expert advice on how to maintain your hearing aids this summer without missing out on the fun.
Make sure your hearing aids fit well
Ill-fitting hearing aids are more likely to fall out than ones that are properly fitted. Make sure you’ve been properly measured for one, especially if you’re going to be doing strenuous activity.
Leslie Soiles is HearingLife chief audiologist and holds a doctorate in audiology. She says you should ensure your hearing aids are paired to your smartphone and that you’ve downloaded the manufacturer’s app.
“Many hearing aid apps have a ‘Find my Hearing Aid’ feature that will track the location of a lost hearing aid,” Soiles said. This will make it easier for you to locate your hearing aid if it accidentally falls out or goes missing.
Keep hearing aids dry
It’s inevitable that you’ll break a sweat during the sweltering days of summer. But that doesn’t mean your hearing aids have to get ruined. “It may feel very seventies, but wearing a headband when you know you are going to be sweating can be a big help in protecting your hearing aids from excessive moisture,” said Soiles.
If your hearing aid does get wet, that doesn’t mean it’s ruined for good. Instead pat it dry with a soft cloth. Hearing aids that use batteries should also have the battery removed and dried.
If you think moisture has seeped into your hearing aids, Sarah Lundstrom, who holds a doctorate in audiology and works at HearCare Audiology, shared some key signs to look out for, including “discoloration or debris in the battery compartment, discoloration of the receiver wire, wearing of the external coating on the body of the hearing aid, static sound, intermittent function, or poor sound quality/weak amplification.”
Lundstrom suggests using an electric dryer or dry aid kit on a daily or weekly basis to keep moisture from building up in your hearing aids. Other steps you can take include cleaning your hearing aid regularly and keeping your ears clean. ”People tend to produce more wax and sweat in their ears during humid months, so wipe off wax on your hearing aid as needed with a soft cloth,” she said.
Jose Marques/Getty Images
Store hearing aids in a temperature-controlled space
In the summer, it’s easy for enclosed locations to overheat. Avoid leaving your hearing aids in places like your car’s glove compartment. “The internal temperature of a glove compartment can reach over 140 degrees and the excessive heat can cause a hearing aid’s electronics to become damaged,” warned Soiles. Instead, store hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use to keep them protected from heat-related issues such as battery drain.
Don’t wear hearing aids when swimming
Unfortunately, hearing aids are not designed to handle water activities like swimming. Make sure to take them off and store them properly if you are showering, visiting a pool or beach or going anywhere else they may get wet. “Investing in a durable and waterproof case for your hearing aids is highly recommended,” Lundstrom said. “Especially if you plan to spend time at the beach or pool.”
She also advises removing the batteries before storing hearing aids in the case. These cases provide an extra layer of protection against moisture, sand and dirt (which can clog microphone ports and are also to be avoided). The protective storage case should also be kept out of direct sunlight and instead placed inside your bag.
Maintain regular visits to your audiologist
As with any important doctor’s visits, you should maintain appointments with your audiologist to make sure your hearing hasn’t changed and to keep your hearing aids in tip top shape. Your doctor will be able to inspect and make sure your hearing aids are still functioning properly and can replace any pieces that are worn down.
Accessible hiring practices are essential for the long-term success and sustainability of organizations. This article will explore the concept of accessible hiring, define what an accessible workplace entails, and provide tips on increasing inclusivity in your hiring practices.
Accessible hiring: What does it mean to have an accessible workplace?
Accessible hiring refers specifically to a focus on hiring people with disabilities, and ensuring that proper accommodations are made to create an accessible workplace.
How are accessible hiring and inclusive hiring related?
Inclusive hiring and accessible hiring are closely linked, but there is a difference. Accessible hiring is about hiring people with disabilities, while inclusive hiring is about hiring people from diverse backgrounds, including race/ethnicity, gender, and more. Inclusive hiring is a broader concept encompassing accessible hiring as one of its components.
Inclusive hiring is especially important for companies with a special focus on accessibility, such as Allyant. According to a survey by Monster.com, a popular careers website, 86% of job seekers prioritize workplace inclusion. The study also revealed that 62% of individuals would only accept a job offer from a company that demonstrated an inclusive culture.
Who benefits from inclusive hiring?
Inclusive hiring practices benefit both sides of the hiring process: the candidate and the company. Candidates from various backgrounds will likely feel more empowered to apply and share their skills and experiences. Inclusive hiring processes also reflect well on companies and make them a more welcoming and inviting workplaces.
Companies and hiring teams that value inclusion typically create more innovative and productive organizations. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated, improving productivity and increasing the likelihood of prospective employees being interested in your organization.
Inclusive hiring and accessibility
Inclusive hiring is extremely important for accessibility organizations. Having an inclusive hiring process (and employees with disabilities) reinforces the company’s mission and commitment to accessibility, both within and outside the company. Hiring employees from diverse backgrounds also makes for a more interesting and potentially productive organization, as current and future employees may have different problem-solving strategies.
Inclusive hiring can often lead to hiring more employees with disabilities. Other than showing a commitment to accessibility, organizations (especially those with an accessibility focus) benefit significantly from employing people with disabilities.
In the case of digital accessibility, Allyant employs several auditors who have disabilities. Having people who live with disabilities review website accessibility creates a more authentic and credible reputation for your brand.
6 Inclusive hiring tips: How can I make my hiring more accessible?
How do organizations practice inclusive hiring? Below are some inclusive hiring tips for your organization to become a more well-rounded, diverse company:
1. Create inclusive job descriptions: Emphasize that anyone can apply to jobs within your organization, regardless of disability, racial/ethnic background, etc. As noted above, clarifying that your organization encourages applicants from a wide range of experiences reflects well on the company and likely makes the company more attractive to potential candidates.
2. Use simple language: Similarly, writing job descriptions with short, simple sentences is preferred. Avoid long, exhaustive lists of qualifications. Instead, list only the essential skills required. You can always go into more detail later, like at the job interview. This especially helps candidates with certain cognitive disabilities, for instance, who may have difficulty comprehending or remembering lots of information at once.
3. Make sure your career website is accessible: Of course, having an inaccessible website prevents people with disabilities and potentially others) from applying at all. As a result, your organization may miss out on qualified candidates simply because they can’t complete the application process. Third-party digital accessibility companies such as Allyant can help your organization ensure your online application process is accessible to all!
4. Educate hiring teams (and all employees) on bias awareness: We all have unconscious biases against certain groups of people. Recruiters and other hiring team members must be educated on potential bias. For example, interview questions may be asked in ways that benefit one group of people over another. This may lead to hiring team members forming incorrect assumptions about certain people.
5. Have diverse hiring teams: Organizations need diverse hiring teams. In the case of accessibility-focused organizations, having people with disabilities on hiring teams reflects well on companies and can lead to more authentic perspectives on the organization’s mission and vision.
6. Inclusive recruitment and selection processes: Organizations that value inclusivity must also consider notifying prospective job applicants about the availability of accommodation throughout the interview process and for other candidate selection methods. This provides applicants with fair treatment throughout the process and helps to eliminate any barriers in the recruitment and selection process.
Accessible and inclusive hiring have many benefits, from enhancing a company’s reputation to ensuring that all potential candidates can successfully participate in all stages of the recruitment and selection process. By considering candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, accessible and inclusive hiring can result in a larger available talent pool, as well as increased productivity and a more supportive and engaged workplace.
Google introduces new accessibility and collaboration features for classrooms
Google introduced new accessibility and learning features on Tuesday at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) expo. These features included expansion of the reading mode, pairing with a sign language interpreter in Google Meet, and AI-powered question suggestions in a class.
The company has been experimenting with AI-powered tools in its consumer products like Search, Gmail, and Sheets. Now, Google is bringing AI-powered questions to an assignment that revolves around a YouTube video. Teachers can add their own questions or modify AI-powered suggestions as well. Currently, the company is accepting applications to try this out in English with support for Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Malay.
In March, Google introduced Reading Mode in a side pane, which removes elements like videos and images from the page and helps users focus on the text. At that time, the feature was only available for Chrome browsers on ChromeOS. Google announced Tuesday that it coming to all Chrome users soon.
Additionally, the company said that screen reader users will be able to convert images to text for PDFs using Chrome browser on Chromebooks. However, the feature will likely not let users copy the text from these PDFs.
Google said that it has also introduced new fonts to make reading easier in Arabic, Cyrillic, and Latin systems. Those fonts are optically variable — that means the font has an adaptive design for different sizes to improve readability.
The search giant introduced a new tile-pairing feature for Google Meet as well. When this feature is enabled, it highlights both tiles when one of the participants speaks. This makes it easier to connect a sign language interpreter to the speaker.
Google Meet is also getting some features like support for polls and Q&A during a live stream for classrooms with ‘Teaching and Learning Upgrade’ or ‘Education Plus’ subscriptions.
The company offers Workspace for education for free, but for features like advanced security, learning, device management, and analytics, it offers the Standard tier for $3 per student per year and the Plus tier for $5 per student per year.
Google introduces new accessibility and collaboration features for classrooms by Ivan Mehta originally published on TechCrunch
Accessibility is Officially Recognized as a Cybersecurity Priority
When I joined Deque almost a year ago as the Director of Security, I became acutely aware of the importance of accessibility in cybersecurity. Through my research, I found that not only are cybersecurity solutions in most organizations not accessible for end users, but most tools used by cybersecurity professionals themselves also are not accessible to people with disabilities. This makes it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for people with disabilities to work in cybersecurity.
On May 18, 2023, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the National Cyber Security Centre of the United Kingdom (UK) wrote about these issues in their blog: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/accessibility-as-a-cyber-security-priority. This is a history-making statement as the UK is the first national government to take a stand on this ever-important issue. People and companies worldwide deal with online security problems every day, and, as we’ve all seen, the effects can be devastating.
In the blog by Lee C of the NCSC UK Sociotechnical and Risk Group, a situational story clearly illustrates how most of the security solutions used today are not accessible to those we are trying to protect and why this should be a priority for cybersecurity professionals. He gave clear examples to show how security programs can be unintentionally inaccessible for end users and how we can improve them. The solutions he proposed are possible, and we need to make accessibility a priority when building and maintaining their security programs going forward.
Some cybersecurity publications also covered this historic announcement. Phil Muncaster, the UK / EMEA News Reporter for Infosecurity Magazine, wrote an article summarizing the highlights from the NCSC UK announcement/. Michael Hill, UK Editor for CSO Online, wrote a report on what was covered in the NCSC UK announcement and got feedback from Lisa Ventura, founder of Cyber Security Unity. “If you have security measures in your organization that aren’t accessible,” said Ms. Ventura, “your systems will be much harder for everyone to use. The advice provided is a great starting point, and I hope to see it implemented by organizations, no matter their size.”.
I agree that this is a step in the right direction, but this announcement only addresses ways to improve accessibility for end users. It did not cover how the field of cybersecurity is also unintentionally inaccessible because most cybersecurity solutions today are not accessible to people with disabilities who don’t even have the chance to break into the field. And, if someone already in the area should become newly blind, they would most likely have to find another career. Not only does this significantly reduce the available talent pool for one of the fastest-growing and critical digital requirements, it adversely affects all portions of an existing security team.
To learn more, watch my Why Cybersecurity Should be Digitally Accessible webinar on demand.
Accessibility – BingNews – Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 7:05 PM
Employers And Workers With Disabilities Both Benefit From Technology Accessibility
Companies that ensure their technology is accessible to all, typically experience enhanced … [+] productivity, more innovation, improved recruitment and retention, as well as a stronger brand identity.
Pexel
Technology in our lives and in the workplace is, for many of us, an answer to multitasking, working faster and working smarter. Imagine if we were unable to access our emails via our smartphones, review a spreadsheet while on the train or watch our baby sleeping through a tiny screen on the monitor one floor away. Today, with a quick glance at our wrist, we can see an important news update or track our steps and heart rate while tiny earbuds connect us to music, calls with our kids or that last-minute team meeting.
The advantages of this ever-expanding world of technology are infinite. However, all workforce technology needs to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Accessibility benefits those with disabilities by leveling the playing field and gives employers more opportunity to meet their diversity, equity and inclusion goals while helping to ensure they have a skilled and talented workforce.
Companies that see the value people with disabilities bring to the workplace especially when they ensure their technology is accessible to all, typically experience enhanced productivity, more innovation, improved recruitment and retention, as well as a stronger brand identity. A study by Accenture reveals that companies identified as disability-inclusion champions had 28% higher revenue.
Data Support The Need For Accessible Technology
The World Economic Forum reports that nearly one in six people — or over 1 billion worldwide — has a disability related to hearing, vision, mobility, speech, cognition or nervous system functions. In this digital age, companies worldwide need to make sure those with disabilities are not excluded from the workforce because these organizations have not yet successfully adapted technology for those with disabilities.
More than half of U.S. workers rely on technology to do their jobs. Zoom video meetings, Microsoft Teams, and a host of other technology platforms helped make this a reality. Other tools such as screen readers and subtitles for video meetings, help workers with disabilities be a vital part of their organizations and further workplace inclusion.
MORE FOR YOU
Is workplace accessibility, which includes technology accessibility, sufficient today? In a study by Adobe, 77% of workers with disabilities believe their employer has done a “better job” supporting them since the beginning of the pandemic. However, 84% of all surveyed, regardless of disability status, believe their coworkers would benefit from more workplace accessibility. Three out of four in the disability community claim that accessibility and inclusivity are pivotal factors in evaluating a job opportunity. These findings suggest that while progress is occurring in both workplace and technology accessibility, more can be done.
The Essentials Employers Need For Technology Accessibility
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) defines technology accessibility as “tools that can be used successfully by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.” These may include:
Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.
Email and other electronic correspondence.
Software applications and operating systems.
Telecommunications products.
Video and multimedia products.
Desktop and portable computers.
Self-contained, closed products such as calculators, copy machines and printers.
Online job applications.
These various tools need to be accessible in any number of settings, such as team meetings in the office or remote, special events and career fairs or off-site training and conferences.
SSDI Beneficiaries May Require Accessibility
When Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries transition back to work through Social Security’s Ticket To Work Program, they need to make sure that the technology tools and systems their employer uses are accessible. While many companies are making strides to ensure workers with disabilities are not excluded from technology innovations, more work is needed. Creating awareness throughout leadership teams and employee ranks is one important first step. Company-wide policies and highly focused training can help as well to stress the value of technology accessibility.
Fortunately, resources are available to employers to help them build and maintain digital workplaces that are accessible to everyone. The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is a vital resource for employers as they strive to do just that. According to PEAT, workforce participation for people with disabilities can increase as more employers focus on inclusive technologies.
How To Use Google Docs On Your Computer With Screen Readers And Braille Devices
Google Docs offers a convenient way to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, forms, and drawings online. One of the best aspects of Google Docs is that it is compatible with assistive tools like screen readers and braille devices, making it more accessible to more users.
Here is a short guide on how to use Google Docs on your computer with screen readers and Braille devices.
Using Google Docs with a screen reader
Google Docs has built-in screen reader support, which must be enabled before your screen reader software can access documents and read text. To enable it, click on the “Tools” menu, select “Accessibility”, select “Turn on screen reader support,” and click “OK.”
Once enabled, you should hear the phrase “screen reader support enabled” when you open a Google Docs file. Additionally, you might have to adjust your screen reader’s settings for an optimal experience.
NVDA
If you use the NVDA screen reader, adjust the following settings:
Press NVDA + Ctrl + k and turn off “Speak Typed Characters” and “Speak Typed Words.” The default keyboard shortcuts in NVDA might conflict with the shortcuts used in Google Docs, so it may be beneficial to change them beforehand. To do so, open “Properties” and edit the “Shortcut” key to prevent conflicts. JAWS
If you use the JAWS screen reader and Firefox browser, adjust the following settings:
Turn off the key echoing option by pressing JAWS + 2 until you hear “None.” Turn off the virtual cursor option by pressing JAWS + z until you hear “Use virtual PC cursor off.” Once disabled, press JAWS + z + z until you hear “The virtual cursor will be turned off for all applications.” Press JAWS + v to open the Quick Settings window, uncheck “Auto forms mode” and “Forms mode off when new page loads,” and click “OK.” VoiceOver
If you use the VoiceOver screen reader, adjust the following settings:
Press the left and right arrows simultaneously and turn off the Quick Nav feature. Turn on “Automatically speak the webpage” to hear the screen reader. As is the case with other screen readers, the default keyboard shortcuts in VoiceOver might conflict with the shortcuts commonly used in Google Docs. To avoid this problem, press Ctrl + Option + Tab and type the menu shortcuts you want to access. Editing Google Docs using a screen reader
There are several Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for navigating and editing your document.
For example, use the Ctrl + Alt + n combination to move forward and use the Ctrl + Alt + p combination to move backward. Ctrl + Alt + n followed by h will take you to the next heading, while Ctrl + Alt + p followed by h will take you to the previous heading.
To take specific actions, press Alt + / and type the required command. For example, if you want to insert something, type “Insert,” press the down arrow to listen to the options available, and choose the appropriate option by pressing “Enter.”
Using Google Docs with a Braille device
To enable Google Docs’ built-in braille support, go to the “Tools” menu, choose “Accessibility Settings,” check “Turn on Screen Reader Support,” and check “Turn on braille support.”
Once enabled, use the cursor routing buttons on the braille display to move the cursor around the document. Enabling braille support also speeds up screen reader typing echo and improves whitespace and punctuation announcements. You can use the default keyboard shortcuts as well as screen reader shortcuts to navigate and edit the document.
If you want to disable the braille option, go to the “Tools” menu, choose “Accessibility”, and uncheck “Turn on braille support.”
Using Google Docs with assistive devices is easier than ever
Google constantly tweaks the built-in features in Google Docs and adds new features to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. By taking the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to access, use, create, edit, and share Google Docs efficiently.
I switched to Android, but an iPhone 15 is probably in my future
Introduction
There has been quite a bit of discussion and debate of late around the merits of iOS and Android, and this has coincided with my own journey into using Android. In February this year, after thirteen years using iPhones, I bought a Samsung Galaxy S23. I had long been curious about Android and had dabbled with it over the years, primarily as my work phone. I had never really picked it up and used it as my primary day to day phone though, at least not since I spent a month with a Nexus 4 way back in 2016. This time, I genuinely planned to give it a real go. I envisaged myself sticking with it for a full year, before deciding what I want to do next.
For context, while I have some limited vision, I am very much a screen reader user, with VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android. I have also tried CSR, also known as Jieshuo, on the Android side. I do not use Braille, so will not be delving into that aspect here.
In this blog post, I want to share my experiences to date, and why I’m not so sure I’ll last the year after all.
Motivation
As mentioned above, I have been an iPhone user for over thirteen years and have generally always been extremely happy with it. I also have an iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and more, so am pretty entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and the benefits which go with that. It’s reasonable therefore to ask why I would want to do this in the first place.
First and foremost I’m interested in tech. I’ve always been curious about Android, dabbling with it here and there. I like the idea of it, a more open and customisable platform, and one that offers a greater range of hardware choices too. Was I feeling a little bored of iPhone, perhaps. Though I am aware how privileged that might sound. Ultimately, we do have choice in the market, and I wanted to know what the other side was like.
I waivered between getting the Samsung Galaxy S23 or a Google Pixel 7, but ultimately chose the Galaxy as it was brand new and running probably the best processor in the Android market, so performance should never be a problem. I’d definitely be interested though to hear if people’s experiences with Pixel differ to mine with the Galaxy.
The purchasing experience
My life with Samsung didn’t get off to the best start. The purchasing experience on the Samsung Ireland website left a lot to be desired. The website had quite poor screen reader accessibility which surprised me. I managed to muddle through, but ended up with the wrong colour device. I was sure I had selected lilac, but ended up with cream. As it turns out I like what I got, but I’d suggest that’s not the point. The post purchase experience wasn’t great either, with a lack of clarity about when I could expect the order to arrive. So this aspect was a bit of a let down compared to experiences with Apple.
On the plus side, unlike Apple, Samsung are good for offering deals. I got a discount for ordering early, plus a further discount when I added in Galaxy Buds.
In favour of Android
This post is not a hatchet job on Android by any means. There is a lot I like, so let’s get into that first.
User interface
I really like the general user interface on Android. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate. I especially like the app screen, or app drawer, where I can access all of my apps without cluttering my home screens. Of course iOS does have the app library now, but I prefer the Android implementation. I can access it from anywhere with a simple gesture, and have it laid out as a simple grid of all apps in alphabetical order. Apple’s screen full of automatically categorised groups of apps just doesn’t work well for me, and I wish I could just jump to a simple alphabetical list, without first having to open the search function.
On Android, you can choose how many rows and columns of apps you want on your home screens, apps screen and in folders. This is a very nice touch. In fact, it kind of annoys me that Apple have yet to introduce such a basic customisation feature after sixteen years. Moving apps and creating folders is different to iOS, but no more difficult. In fact I quite like how it’s done, at least on Samsung. On Samsung’s UI, you also have a feature called Edge Panels. This is a slide out drawer accessible from just about anywhere, that acts as a kind of secondary doc for apps, or even favourite contacts. I use it for easy access to utilities such as notes and home automation apps.
If you don’t like the user interface on your phone, you can download an alternative, known as Launchers, from the Play Store. In my experience, most of the main ones offer little difference in functionality, but I’m sure there are more varied ones out there too. It’s not a key point for me personally, but a nice option to have nonetheless.
Gestures
For many years, VoiceOver was widely considered to have an important advantage over TalkBack, because TalkBack lacked multi-finger gestures. Google has since added those multi-finger gestures, while also maintaining its wider range of one finger gestures. This means that, for me, TalkBack now leads the way in this respect.
As well as having the majority, though admittedly not all, of the gestures that are available in VoiceOver, TalkBack also includes multi-directional one finger gestures. You can swipe up then left in a smooth motion for example, or swipe left then right. What this means for me is that firstly, I have more gestures in total to play with, and secondly, I can carry out more of the key commands I need while using the phone one handed. A great example is Android’s equivalent to the rotor. I have this assigned to the up then down and down then up gestures, whereas on iOS I have to switch to two handed use.
Voice Assistants
I don’t need to go into detail here, as there has been enough written and said about the gap in capability. Siri currently lags behind Google Assistant, and with the progression of AI technology that gap could widen further. I’m not writing Apple off entirely though. Either way, it’s not a particularly key feature in how I use my phone, plus Google services are available on iPhone, so I’m giving Android the point, but it’s not actually much of a factor for me.
One caveat is that TalkBack has a tendency to speak over you when trying to talk to the assistant, but I’ve learned to ignore it and generally don’t have issues.
On screen keyboard
I will come back to the less than satisfactory typing experience later, but one area where I prefer Android is the keyboard itself. Firstly, it’s that word customisation again. Support for third party keyboards is better, and I was really happy to find I could change the colour. I’m using Google’s Gboard with black keys, contrasting nicely with the usually white background of apps and web pages. It also has the number row above the QWERTY row, and the full stop and comma keys next to the spacebar. I love that.
Clear All buttons
While I wouldn’t say that the overall experience in the App Switcher, known as Recents on Android, or in Notifications, are better by any means, I do like that both have a Clear All button that is always there and easy to find. iOS doesn’t have this at all in the App Switcher, and you often have to swipe down beyond more recent notifications to find it in the Notification Centre. It’s a minor point, but something I appreciate.
Sound scheme
Of all the items discussed in this post, this is probably the most subjective, but I do quite like the sounds when using TalkBack. It would never be a deal breaker for me, but I do prefer its sounds over VoiceOver. CSR goes one better arguably, letting you download a variety of sound schemes. I would love Apple to offer that with VoiceOver. Sighted users can choose different wallpapers etc to personalise their device, so why shouldn’t VoiceOver users have something similar.
Settings app
Finally, I prefer the Settings app on Android. It’s organised more clearly and logically than its iOS equivalent in my opinion. Plus, if you do go to the wrong section, it has a nice little feature called “Looking for something else”, which suggests other settings which it thinks you might have looked for in that location.
You can also easily get to the settings for any app from the context menu by long pressing on its home screen or apps screen icon.
Pushing me back to iOS
So if Android has all of that going for it, what is pushing, and indeed pulling, me back towards iOS?
Typing on screen
While I mentioned above that I like the keyboard options on Android, the actual typing experience has been pretty painful for me. TalkBack and CSR offer the same typing method as Touch Typing on iOS. You slide your finger to the key you want, and lift to type. However, for whatever reason, it feels painfully slow on Android compared to iOS. Not only can I type faster using this method on my iPhone 12 mini, but even my old iPhone 7 is performing better here. Add to that the fact that iOS also offers the even faster Direct Touch Typing method, which I prefer to use. The experience really is night and day.
This means that I am much less likely to post to a forum, respond to an email, or text my friends and family while using the Android phone. I have become much more reliant on dictation, or occasionally using a Bluetooth keyboard, as well as finding I just have to do more on my laptop instead. It has probably been the single most frustrating aspect of using Android.
Connect to Bluetooth earphones, in my case Galaxy Buds Pro, and the experience gets even worse. It’s like wading through treacle. By comparison, the lag on iPhone when connected to AirPods Pro is minimal.
Actions
A key strength of VoiceOver on iOS is the actions menu in the rotor. TalkBack on Android has actions too, available through the TalkBack menu. I have also assigned a gesture to go straight to the actions pop up menu. Pixel phones now also have actions in the reading controls menu, similar to the iOS rotor, but this has yet to reach us on Samsung devices.
While I’m perfectly happy with the mechanics of using actions on Android, the problem is that they have not been widely implemented. Despite being a part of TalkBack for a number of years now, few apps actually take advantage of it. Even some of Google’s own apps, such as Google News and YouTube, which have implemented actions very effectively on iOS, do not employ the feature on Android. Instead, you have additional buttons on screen offering options, cluttering the interface and slowing down navigation. Perhaps there’s a philosophical debate here, with TalkBack on Android giving a more exact representation of the visual layout, but for efficiency, it’s a fail for me.
Third party apps
Whether Google bears responsibility for it or not is debatable, but the reality is that I have found the range and quality of third party apps to be relatively poor on Android compared to iOS. Android fans have understandably been frustrated in the past by Microsoft’s failure to bring Seeing AI and Soundscape to the platform for example, or at having to wait several months while Clubhouse had its day in the sun.
Two of the key apps I needed to find upon switching were a podcast app and a Mastodon app. In both cases, iOS has lots of quality and accessible options, from Overcast, Downcast, Castro and Podcast Guru, to Mona, Metatext, Ivory and Tusker. I downloaded and tried many podcast apps on Android, but only found two fully accessible ones, Podcast Addict and Pocket Casts. I’ve settled on Podcast Addict, which is fine, but I much prefer Overcast. On the Mastodon side, Tusky is very good and fully accessible, but pales in comparison to Mona on iOS in terms of its feature set.
WhatsApp is an example of a mainstream cross platform app where I’ve found the screen reader experience to be simply better on iOS than on Android. It is accessible, but the lack of actions and the way messages are read by TalkBack, especially in groups, makes it harder to use. Other social media apps like Facebook and Twitter suffer from the lack of actions too.
The VeSync app I use to control my Cosori air fryer suffers with issues setting the temperature and time which are not there on iOS. The MoovIt navigation app gives you less information about upcoming public transport stops on Android than on iOS.
While Google’s Lookout app is very good, in general it seems that there are more accessibility specific apps on iOS than on Android. The previously mentioned Seeing AI and Soundscape spring to mind of course, along with Blind Square that have never come to Android. Of course I acknowledge that Soundscape is now gone though. On other occasions, developers seem to go to iOS first, a frustrating situation for android users. Hopefully they will begin to realise that there is a user base there on Android too, and that we want equity across both platforms.
Email management
While it’s related to the above, I’ve pulled email management into its own section as it’s a key function I want and need to carry out on my phone, and one that has proved challenging on Android. I’ve tried multiple apps, including Aqua Mail, Edison Mail, Outlook and Gmail, eventually settling on Gmail as the best option for me. None of these though give me the ease of use that I have on iOS with the built in Mail app.
Gmail does at least employ actions, but not widely enough. When focused on an email in the inbox, you can add a star, archive or delete it, but you can not mark it as read or unread, nor move it to a folder. For that, you have to take a longer route which I find more cumbersome than on iOS. I also prefer how you navigate through a threaded conversation on iOS, it’s much quicker and easier. Add to that the difficulties in writing emails due to my aforementioned typing difficulties, and I find I simply can’t manage my emails nearly as effectively as on iOS.
Image descriptions
For some time now, VoiceOver has automatically generated pretty impressive image descriptions. Admittedly they’re not as good as what you’ll get now if you share them with the likes of the Be My Eyes virtual volunteer feature, but they certainly do help when you are scrolling through the photos on your phone, browsing a web page, or reading through a message chat where photos have been shared by friends. TalkBack on Android doesn’t have this, and I really miss it. I’m also pretty shocked by it. We know from Google Photos and their work in this space that they have the capability to recognise and understand images, but they chosen not to implement it for accessibility purposes.
Scrolling
While I mentioned my fondness for some of the gestures available on Android, one aspect of navigation I prefer on iOS is scrolling lists or long pages. With Android, there is a general principle that where you have a one finger swipe gesture as standard, this becomes a two finger swipe when using TalkBack. This includes opening the notifications shade and page scrolling, and works pretty well. It means that scrolling is a smooth experience similar to that of our sighted peers, with the aid of additional sounds. On iOS, you use a three finger swipe, but it is not smooth. Instead, the page scrolls in blocks of content. However you also have the benefit of the vertical scrollbar on the right side of the screen. I find this incredibly useful when trying to scroll quickly up or down a page or list. I feel I get the best of both worlds on iOS, precision when I need it, and fast scrolling when I need that.
Notifications
I’ve often heard mainstream tech reviewers say they prefer the Android approach to notifications over the iOS approach, but that certainly has not been my experience as a screen reader user.
Firstly, there’s verbosity. On every notification, the screen reader first tells you if it is expanded or collapsed, before reading the actual notification. You then have to swipe twice to get past each notification, as you have a collapse / expand button beside each one. This of course goes back to our philosophical debate discussed in the Actions section earlier.
I’ve also struggled to get to grips with groups of notifications. It’s not clear to me when an app has multiple notifications grouped, or how best to manage those. In addition, I find TalkBack often reads only the content of the notification, minus the name of the app, or occasionally, only the name of the app, minus the content. I have to expand it to get the full context. Notifications on iOS on the other hand are clear, easy to understand, and easy to manage with VoiceOver.
VoiceOver settings and customisation
While Android as a platform is generally regarded as being ahead of iOS for settings and customisation, I do feel that VoiceOver is ahead of TalkBack in this regard. First and foremost, VoiceOver simply has far more settings available to customise your experience. Plus, in contrast to the Settings app overall, The accessibility settings are better laid out and easier to follow on iOS. For example, the method for changing the TTS voice is not at all clear on Android.
Even gesture customisation is better on iOS. While both do have it, VoiceOver offers far more assignable actions to choose from. In addition, whereas Android was years ahead of iOS in having the easily accessible TalkBack menu, I get more useful functionality from the VoiceOver quick settings menu.
Apple hasn’t rested on its laurels either. They continue to add features and enhancements, so it feels like google is permanently lagging behind in screen reader capability.
TalkBack has some irritating complexities too. By default, I found TalkBack kept switching the TTS voice to a US English one when on certain types of content, despite me selecting a UK English voice. I had to fiddle around with settings to stop this behaviour. I also found that TalkBack wasn’t as responsive as I’d expect when I performed the double tap to select. I had to discover and flip a switch in the advanced settings to improve it, something I never would have found if it weren’t for help received on the Blind Android Users list.
Volume control
Both platforms allow you to independently adjust the system or media volume and the screen reader volume, so in general, that’s fine. However, as soon as I pop in my Galaxy Buds Pro, this no longer works on the Samsung. The accessibility volume controls are still there, but it only changes the system volume setting and not specifically TalkBack. This can be quite problematic when out and about. Adding insult to injury, for whatever reason, this is something I find I actually need to adjust more often on Android than on iOS.
Biometrics
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has two options for biometric unlock; an under display finger print reader and facial recognition. It’s a nice touch that you can have both active at the same time, and either can unlock the phone. According to Samsung’s own documentation though, the facial recognition is not particularly secure. A photo of you can unlock the phone, but perhaps that’s a side note.
The issue I have is with reliability. Despite having these two options, I find I fail to unlock my phone more often on the Samsung than with Face ID on the iPhone. In fact, Face ID almost never lets me down anymore. The under display finger print reader is tricky, as you don’t have a clear tactile spot to aim for, but I’ve slowly but surely gotten better at it. Nonetheless, I’d still take my iPhone’s Face ID over this right now.
This is hardware specific of course, but I wanted to mention it as part of my overall experience. I previously used a Google Pixel 4a 5G for work, and I must say I quite like the physical and tactile finger print reader on the back of that phone.
Companion watch
In taking this journey, I was keen to have the full ecosystem experience, so I got myself a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 to go with the phone. To say I’m disappointed with it would be an understatement. The performance with TalkBack is simply not what I expected. My Apple Watch series 4, which cane out in 2018, feels faster and easier to get around than the Galaxy Watch 5, which came out in 2022.
Fifty / Fifty
There are some aspects of the experience that I don’t necessarily think have a clear winner on either side.
TTS voices
Historically, the two platforms took different approaches here. On iOS, you got a suite of voices built in at no extra cost, and that was it. The range of voices was good, and I’d argue you should have been able to find one you liked, but if not, you were out of luck. Android on the other hand gave you a fairly limited set of Google TTS voices, and a Samsung engine too in the case of their phones, but you could also download third party engines like Vocaliser, Acapella and Eloquence if you were willing to pay for them. Both approaches have their merits, a good range at no extra cost, versus fewer free voices but the ability to buy more.
As I don’t like the majority of Google’s voices, and there are a few on iOS, most notably Alex, which I like a lot, I’d generally have leaned towards the Apple side if pushed.
Things have though moved on. Google’s range of voices has, I believe, expanded, while maintaining the ability to download third party voices. Eloquence though is no longer available on Android. On the iOS side, the range of built in voices has continued to grow, including the addition of Eloquence. They have also added the ability for third party TTS engines to be downloaded, though few have made it to the App Store as yet. Take your pick.
Bugs
There’s been a lot of talk on this forum and elsewhere around bugs on iOS, and frustration with them not being promptly addressed. I can’t disagree with that. In fact, for me, one of the things that’s been delightful on Android is no longer having the screen reader focus jumping around. That bug has been frustrating me for years. Android though is not free of bugs itself. Relatively frequently for example, TalkBack just stops speaking. On other occasions, it refuses to read the full content of messages I’ve received. I’ve also had some connectivity issues with the Galaxy Buds Pro, where they will play media, but TalkBack remains on the phone speaker. Neither platform is a haven from bugs.
Dictation
As mentioned earlier, I find I rely on dictation more on Android than I did on iOS. Given Google’s history and expertise in this space, I expected the quality of dictation to be better on the Android phone, but this has not been my experience. I have tried both Samsung’s and Google’s engines, but don’t find any clear improvement over the feature in iOS. It’s generally pretty good on both platforms to be fair, but I see just as many errors on Android as on the iPhone.
Conclusion
Android clearly has some great features and benefits, and I would love to bring some aspects of its user interface, its additional one finger screen reader gestures, and perhaps its sound scheme across to iOS. However I still feel that VoiceOver has some key advantages over screen readers on Android. There is a greater range of apps, and when it comes to important everyday activities such as messaging, email management and social media, I simply find the iPhone far more efficient. It’s easier and more enjoyable to get things done, and I’m less reliant on my laptop as an iOS user than I am as an Android user.
In summary, if asked could I live happily enough on Android, I’d say I probably could. But do I want to when iOS is an option, right now I’d have to say no. I see a return to iOS and an iPhone 15 in my future. Overall, it just suits me better.
I’m glad that I tried Android for real as my main phone, and I learned a lot from the experience. But for now, I think I’ll go back to what works best for me. What about you? Have you ever switched from iPhone to Android or vice versa?
The Hearing Review – Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 1:34 PM
Listen Technologies Launches ListenWIFI
Listen Technologies launched ListenWIFI, the next generation of Listen EVERYWHERE, the company’s audio-over-Wi-Fi solution.
Listen Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of advanced wireless listening solutions for 25 years, announced the launch of ListenWIFI at InfoComm 2023.
The new product suite is the next generation of Listen EVERYWHERE, Listen Technologies’ audio-over-Wi-Fi solution. ListenWIFI will replace the Listen EVERYWHERE system and follows the naming convention of other Listen Technologies solutions, like ListenIR and ListenRF.
“Listen Technologies was a pioneer in audio-over-Wi-Fi technology. We launched our first Wi-Fi solution in 2014 and have continued to enhance the product line and add features and functionality based on feedback from customers and partners,” said Tracy Bathurst, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Listen Technologies. “ListenWIFI is the culmination of those collective insights and advancements. The new system delivers a truly automated experience, seamlessly connecting people to clear audio via Wi-Fi.”
ListenWIFI, like earlier versions of Listen Technologies’ audio-over-Wi-Fi solutions, lets venues stream audio over their wireless network to guests’ smartphones. Guests access the audio via a free app and listen with headphones or earbuds. An optional personal induction loop, also known as a neck loop, is available for guests with telecoil-equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants. When guests wear the neck loop, and it is plugged into their smart device, audio transmits directly to their hearing aids or cochlear implant.
Applications for ListenWIFI include assistive listening, language interpretation, streaming audio from video or TV screens, and audio description. While previous versions of Listen Technologies’ audio-over-Wi-Fi solution had similar applications, It is a new platform that offers new functionality and capabilities not available from similar products in the market today. The system features new hardware, including LWR-1050 dedicated receivers, new LA-490 ListenWIFI Beacons, new 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-channel servers, and enhanced software that simplifies system configuration and management.
ListenWIFI LWR-1050 receivers are available for venues to meet legislative assistive listening compliance requirements and to simplify audio access for guests. When used with signage and neck loops, the new receivers enable ListenWIFI to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and international compliance requirements, making ListenWIFI a global assistive listening system.
LWR-1050 receivers let schools, venues, businesses, and houses of worship offer students, visitors, and guests a choice. They can access streamed audio via the free ListenWIFI app on their smartphones or simplify access to the audio using the LWR-1050. The LWR-1050 does not require users to connect to Wi-Fi or download an app.
“ListenWIFI LWR-1050 dedicated receivers can be preconfigured so users simply turn them on, are automatically connected to the venue’s audio, and start streaming immediately,” said Sam Nord, vice president of global sales, Listen Technologies.
The new LA-490 Beacons provide location-based audio for a fully automated and seamless user experience. Beacons are small, lightweight units that can be mounted on a wall and transmit information via Bluetooth to LWR-1050 receivers or smartphones running the ListenWIFI app.
Venues can configure the new LA-490 ListenWIFI Beacons to trigger LWR-1050 receivers and users’ smartphones to stream audio automatically when a person is within a specific range of the unit. For example, when a student enters a classroom with an installed ListenWIFI Beacon, his smartphone or LWR-1050 receiver will automatically stream the audio. The audio stops streaming to their device when the student leaves the space. ListenWIFI software lets venue managers determine coverage area and which channels a user can access.
The new ListenWIFI servers will be available in 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-channel configurations. “New ListenWIFI servers easily deploy on venues’ existing Wi-Fi networks but can also facilitate separate standalone networks,” added Bathurst. “Venues just connect servers to their network and audio sources and notify BYOD users about the free ListenWIFI app.”
The new ListenWIFI Manager software for Windows makes it easy to manage and program the ListenWIFI system. The software enables venues to:
Manage and program the entire ListenWIFI platform – LWR-1050 receivers, LA-490 Beacons, mobile apps, and servers.
Easily track inventory.
Hide and password protect audio channels.
Generate QR codes that smartphone users can scan to access audio.
The ListenWIFI app allows venues to customize branding, colors, and messaging. The new ListenWIFI app also lets venues generate QR codes from the app that users can scan to select their preferred language. Then, when interpreted audio is available, the app will automatically select the right channel based on the user’s preference.
CoolHappenings® 