[il-talk] Learning Ally New App

[Joshua Hendrickson]

I used to use learning ALLY when I was at college.  However, I find it
hard for an organization that is supposed to help the blind and
others, could charge $119 per year to download their books if you
don't have a life time membership which they haven't offered in some
years.  I'm very glad that bookshare is free to college students or
those who are in grades 1-12.  Since bookshare has a lot of textbooks,
I'd rather use them then learning ally.  I would also agree, getting
the books in daisy format would be easier then using an ap.

On 10/4/16, Sharon Howerton via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dan, I have a former student who works for Learning Ally. I sent your
> message to her; she said it was most helpful. Though she does not work on
> the apps, she is aware of the problems and is anxious that the app be
> accessible to all particularly the blind and visually impaired since she is
> blind, too.
> Sharon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IL-Talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Tevelde
> via IL-Talk
> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2016 8:53 PM
> To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List
> Cc: Dan Tevelde
> Subject: [il-talk] Learning Ally New App
>
> Hello All,
> I have a lifetime membership with Learning Ally and do sometimes listen to
> their books.  Last week they announced that they have a new IOS app called
> Learning Ally Link which should be used to read their books.  They will not
> be supporting their old app, Learning Ally after December.  I would
> recommend not installing the new app until it works better with VoiceOver.
> The app is unstable and the video demo Learning Ally did doesn't even use
> VoiceOver in the demo.
> I sent them a long list of suggestions for improving the app and also how
> to
> make their website more accessible.  They did call me and said that they
> would take my feedback in mind but made excuses that their resources are
> limited and that they need to make their services available to their entire
> reading population.  I tried to explain to them that accessibility for the
> blind wouldn't take anything away from someone else.  It's pretty obvious
> that they don't understand the issues, and didn't take the time to test
> their new app.  I tried to educate the person I spoke to about the
> requirements of WCAG 2.0 level a accessibility.  In plain language what
> this
> means is that computer app and websites need to be made usable with all
> assistive technologies including any screenreader, Braille display,
> browser,
> or anything else someone wants to use.
> I would encourage anyone who uses their services to complain to them.  If
> anyone wants to talk with me about the issues, send me a personal e-mail.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
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