iPhone accessibility criticised
The iPhone has become an important tool in many people's lives. The iPhone is a mobile phone made by Apple. It is also like a portable computer. But an expert says many people with a disability cannot use the iPhone. He says Apple should have worked harder to make the iPhone accessible to people with a disability.
Posted by: Anastasia Vesperman, on 28/05/10
iPhone 3GS. Image: courtesy of Apple
A communications expert has criticised Apple for not making the iPhone more accessible to people with a disability.
Professor Gerard Goggin criticised Apple in a recent public lecture in Melbourne. Professor Goggin is an author and Professor of Digital Communication and deputy-director of the Journalism and Media Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.
The iPhone enjoyed a very successful launch because of its easy-to-use interface and applications. But Professor Goggin says the first iPhone released was inaccessible to many users with disabilities. This included people who are blind or have mobility impairments. Some of the problems with the first model of the iPhone included:
- The touch screen had no raised or recessed buttons
- Users could not use voice-activated commands
- Users could not use alternative pointing devices.
Addressing the problems
Professor Goggin says it took some time for Apple to start addressing the accessibility problems with the iPhone. It was not until roughly two years after launch that Apple released software that restored some functionality that had previously become standard in mobile phones,
he says.
Apple’s disregard for people with a disability was puzzling for many reasons, Professor Goggin says. These included:
- It reduced the potential market for the iPhone
- It was possibly a breach of disability discrimination legislation
- Apple had a
well-deserved reputation for taking accessibility seriously
in its computer operating systems.
More than just calls
Many mobile phones today do a lot more than just make calls. Devices like the iPhone are generally referred to as smartphones. They have similar capabilities to portable computers. They also play music and video, and take photos. They are becoming indispensable devices for many people. But it is frustrating if they are not accessible to some people with a disability.
The UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities (2006) promotes access to technology for all users. It also encourages more research to promote access.
Fortunately, Professor Goggin says Apple is now moving in the right direction with the iPhone. The iPhone 3GS released last year introduced some important accessibility features. Features include the VoiceOver application for text-to-speech. VoiceOver has been available for some time as a part of the Macintosh computer operating system. iPhone users can now use their finger to tap on text to hear it read to them. Apple is also working with consumer groups to improve iPhone accessibility in other ways.
New applications
There are now over 140,000 applications available on Apple’s App Store. But Professor Goggin says very few of them add to the accessibility of the device. He says Apple keeps firm control of which applications can be released via the App Store.
Phones based on Google’s Android operating system might become attractive alternatives to the iPhone, says Professor Goggin. Anyone can create and distribute applications for the Android under an open source license. Professor Goggin says open standards should encourage innovation and benefit people with a disability.
Apple spokesperson Fiona Martin rejects Professor Goggin’s criticism. Ms Martin says Apple has provided new and innovative solutions
for people with a disability for more than 20 years. In fact, Apple has built many accessibility solutions directly into its products as standard features,
she says.
Accessibility features
Apple says iPhone accessibility features for people with vision impairment include:
- VoiceOver screen reader
- Voice Control
- Zoom to magnify the screen
- White on black for higher contrast.
For people who have a hearing impairment, iPhone features include:
- Closed captioning
- Mono audio
- Audible, visible and vibrating alerts.
For people with a physical impairment, iPhone features include:
- Tactile buttons
- Predictive text entry
- Support for voice dialling.
Is the iPhone accessible to you? Let us know in the comments section.
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