Blog: Audible releases app for Android mobile phones -- but what does this mean for accessibility?
by Ted Mc from BlindMind.net, 1 Sept 2010
Audible today released a client application for Android mobile phones that allows the user to directly download purchased titles from its library straight to their mobile device.
That's the good news.
The bad news of course, is that the Android operating system is largely inaccessible, supporting neither web browsing, nor third party applications. To me, this seems like advocacy just asking to be done.
Google, while trying to implement some level of accessibility, seems to be largely ignoring the blind and visually impaired community overall. They seem not to be consulting groups offering their assistance, nor really open to the idea of approach by groups interested in the furthering of Google's attempts at making their products accessible. I think there would be great value in a person taking the time to write directly to Google to lay out their case, but this new offering by Audible presents a new opportunity. Audible isn't a small company, and no doubt has more influence than an individual person does. The blind and visually impaired community no doubt makes up a more significant percentage of Audible's business than we do Google's Android operating system.
So why not enlist Audible to assist in advocating on our behalf? Again, this shouldn't replace advocacy directly to Google, but it's a strategy that shouldn't be ignored.
While you're at it, let Audible know that oftentimes their communication to customers is likewise not accessible. The announcement of the new Android app came in an email that consisted of a huge image scanned from marketing material, with almost no plain text in it, and did not have 'alternate text' specified for the image, so of course was totally useless to anyone using a screen reader.
I believe Audible likes our money, and wishes to continue getting it from us. I think that anyone paying them $10 - $15 a month or more has the right to be communicated with in a manner that can be understood by said customer, and that, if they want to continue getting that $15 a month or more from me, then it would be in their financial itnerest to nudge Google in the right direction while they're at it.
If you'd like to speak your mind to Audible, their number is: (+1) 973-820-0400. You can also contact them by their Website
and going through the Support section and filling out the email form.
For more information on the Audible Android client, CLICK HERE
Posted by Ted Mc at 1 Sep 2010, 10:38 AM 
Categories: Editorial, News - Mobile, Advocacy, Audiobooks, Accessibility, News, Blind, Smartphones, Android, Audio - Mobile Phones, News - Software, Screen Reader
Tags: news visually impaired audio - mobiles advocacy News - Software Google Audible News - mobile blind audiobooks accessibility low vision Android
Categories: Editorial, News - Mobile, Advocacy, Audiobooks, Accessibility, News, Blind, Smartphones, Android, Audio - Mobile Phones, News - Software, Screen Reader
Tags: news visually impaired audio - mobiles advocacy News - Software Google Audible News - mobile blind audiobooks accessibility low vision Android
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