[Trainer-talk] Which Android for fullaccessibility

Thu Aug 23 03:49:35 UTC 2012

Thank you for correcting my information. I didn't realize that
Ice Cream Sandwich was available on most phones yet. However, I'm
so very glad you made the corrections to my information because I
just learned a lot. I do try to listen to That Android Show on a
regular basis to keep up but I don't use an Android device so
that's not always enough to solidify the information in my brain.
Smile
Kind regards;

-----Original Message-----
From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nimer M.
Jaber, IC³
Sent: August 22, 2012 9:28 PM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Which Android for fullaccessibility

Hello Jeanine,

I wish to correct some points in your message. As of the version
of Android called Ice Cream Sandwich, a DPad is no longer
required. This is because of a new feature called explore by
touch that will read out what anindividual touches on screen and
allows for on-screen interaction, kind of like what's available
on the iPhone. Jellybean, I.E Android 4.1 and 4.11 has introduced
flicking and doubletapping kind of like the iPHone, so you need a
DPad even less. You're right though that in older versions a
DPad, keyboard or whiz wheel is recommended for ease of access
and lack of frustration, and at this point I wouldn't even
recommend a phone not running ICS or above, although earlier
versions are indeed usable. Furthermore, Mobile Accessibility is
not desirable in any version above 2.3 due to its extreme
buggyness. And most if not all phones with proprietary systems or
skins can indeed be removed. This is called rooting and flashing
a new version or different release on the phone, often improving
accessibility. While ths is beyond the scope of the average user,
it is still extremely doable, and if someone wishes to purchase
the latest HTC phone they shouldn't stop simply because the UI
isn't the best in the world as they could always get a new rom to
put onto their device. And most aplications, home screens,
dialers, keyboards, and everything else can be replaced with a
much more accessible version.
It must be said though as I've already pointed out that if one
wishes to have the best accessibility out of the box, they can't
do any better than the Galaxy Nexus because it's the latest from
Google, it gets updates most often faster than the others,
especially the unlocked phones, and they're running the latest
operating system.
However there are many other devices on the market, the Nexus
wasn't one of the ones listed on that list that was sent out, and
it's ultimately up to the user to do the research and to make the
most informed decision. that's one good point about Apple.
There's only one device by only one manufacturer, and you're
guaranteed a uniform experience.

Thanks.

On 8/22/12, Jeanine Lineback <jeanine.lineback at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
> Accessible
>> Phones Discussion List.
>>
>> If you don't want to receive messages from this list anymore,
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-- 
Cordially,

Nimer Jaber

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