[Trainer-talk] Which Android for fullaccessibility

Thu Aug 23 01:22:07 UTC 2012

I also use an iPhone but where I work we did a training on
Android phones. 
What I do know, is that in order for an Android phone to be as
accessible as possible your client will need to make sure that 1.
The phone has a (D Pad). This will allow her to navigate the
menus and such without the necessity of using the touch screen as
much. 2. She can get a phone with the Gingerbread or JellyBean
operating systems.  Jellybean has more access built in than the
Gingerbread release did. I believe the OS version numbers with
some accessibility built in start at 1.6 and go up to Jellybean
4.1. 3. She should check with her cell phone provider to make
sure that they have not used a proprietary menu system on top of
or instead of what normally comes installed on the phone. (Some
companies such as T-mobile have done things like using
proprietary firmware that disabled and eliminated the
accessibility features that would have been in place before they
installed their firmware. Notice that I used the term firmware.
This is because The proprietary software is often embedded into
the firmware of the phone and therefore cannot just be
uninstalled. 4. Talkback is the screen reader that is built into
accessible versions of Android phones. 
Here are some resources where you and your client can look into
this question more thoroughly. Most of these sites are done by
people who are using Android phones and have firsthand
experience. Be sure to check the dates on the articles, blogs and
pod casts. I've noticed that in the world of Android there are so
many variations on the phones that are available that you will
see information from 2010 and earlier. But if you use that
information you might find a phone that is no longer available on
the market not to mention whether or not your clients cell phone
provider has that particular phone and model. 

This link appears to be the most current as far as phones and
apps for Android. http://thatandroidshow.com/
This is the page for android accessibility straight from Google.
http://eyes-free.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/documentation/android_a
ccess/index.html
Mobile Accessibility page from Code Factory. Keep in mind this is
not a user site or a group of users this is a company whose
purpose is to sell their product.
http://www.codefactory.es/en/products.asp?id=415
Spiel Project, A free screen reader for Android.
http://spielproject.info/index
Adventures In Android http://android-discovery.posterous.com/
Another Google resource for the blind and Android
http://www.apps4android.org/
http://www.androidaccess.net/
http://accessibleandroid.blogspot.com/
List of and information on cell phones that are accessible.
http://www.accessiblephones.com/
A complete Android guide.
http://www.completeguides.net/01_The_Complete_Android_Guide
Okay that's about all I can locate for now. I wish you and your
client the best in your search. 
-----Original Message-----
From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Brandts
Sent: August 22, 2012 3:15 PM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Which Android for fullaccessibility

Glenn,

I think it's important to assess what features your client wants
to be able to use with her cell phone.  I know many people who
want it all, so a smart phone is the right fit; on the other end
of the spectrum, I have known people who simply want to be able
to make calls and receive them.  You mention that your client is
not terribly tech savvy, so she may not want all the bells and
whistles.  I worked with a woman not too long ago that fits that
latter category:  she simply wanted to be able to keep the phone
on her in case of emergencies.  She went for one of the Trac
Phones because she could feel the number pad very well, and after
some assistance with programming contacts, could use her voice to
dial.

I personally don't know much about the Androids, so I can't offer
much there.  I wish you luck!

Jan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Bloodsaw" <lbloodsaw2018 at gmail.com>
To: <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>; <glenn.ervin at nebraska.gov>;
<glennervin at cableone.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 1:20 PM
Subject: [Trainer-talk] Fwd: [Electronics-talk] Which Android for
fullaccessibility (fwd)

Does anyone have an answer to Glenn's questions?

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Jude DaShiell <jdashiel at shellworld.net>
> Date: August 22, 2012 3:17:48 AM EDT
> To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Which Android for full
accessibility 
> (fwd)
> Reply-To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:02:53
> From: Glenn <glennervin at cableone.net>
> Reply-To: The Accessible Phones Discussion List 
> <blindphones at mosenexplosion.com>
> To: The Accessible Phones Discussion List 
> <blindphones at mosenexplosion.com>
> Subject: Re: Which Android for full accessibility
>
> Well, if nobody here can recommend one of these, or eliminate
any, 
> maybe someone here can let me know how to get the screenreader
going 
> on an Android, so I can inform the guy at the cell store.
> I really thought that there would be some Android users here.
> Feel free to post my request to another list, as this gal needs
help 
> right away, she is now without a phone, and this company has no
loaner 
> phones, and you cannot return a phone once you get it.
> So she really needs some guidance ASAP.
>
> Glenn
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ervin, Glenn" <glenn.ervin at nebraska.gov>
> To: <blindphones at mosenexplosion.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 7:26 PM
> Subject: Which Android for full accessibility
>
>
> Hi,
> A client of mine wants to stay with her local-based phone
company, so 
> they have only a limited selection of phones, but she does not
wish to 
> switch companies.
> I talked to the guy at the company for her, and he sent me a
list of 
> the android phones they have, and my client will need to choose
from 
> one of these.
> She will be using either the built-in screenreader, or perhaps
she 
> will need to spend a hundred bucks for Mobile Speak, I don't
know how 
> to direct her, since I use an iPhone.
> But here's the list, and I'm hoping that someone here can
advise 
> regarding the screenreader, such as Steel, or which would be
best, or 
> if she should use MS.
> She is not very computer savvy, and she has never used a smart
phone, 
> so this is a consideration as well.  She was using one of the 
> some-what accessible LG non-smart phones before.
> The list is:
>
> samsung galaxy Y
> alcatel ot-908
> alcatel ot-990a
> samsung s5690 xcover
> alcatel ot- 995
>
> That is the list, so if anyone knows which is best with a 
> screenreader, I will pass that along.
> Thanks.
> Glenn
>
>
>
> Glenn Ervin, Orientation Counselor II - CVRCB Nebraska
Commission for 
> the Blind & V.I.
> http://www.ncbvi.ne.gov/
> Our Mission:
> Empowering Blind Individuals, Promoting Opportunities, and
Building 
> Belief in the Blind.
> PH: 402 370 3438
>
> toll-free:
> 877 809 2419
> You received this message because you subscribed to the
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>
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