[Trainer-Talk] Possible Mistake and Confusion regarding Microsoft Outlook

[Humberto Avila]

Hello Reg and Others,


I do agree on the part about Microsoft saying they are putting 
accessibility as a prioritized commitment by their current leadership 
teams, and not actually doing so. It does seem to occur to me they are 
releasing a free product for Windows that doesn't appear to be fully 
accessible with screen readers. Yeah, I probably get the fact that 
Microsoft is also prioritizing other needs. Which is fine, but that 
seems to suggest they will remediate accessibility issues as they come 
up, and not prioritizing accessibility in the dev process in general. 
Which is sadly what way too many companies are doing in my opinion. I'm 
wondering if the new Outlook will only work with Narrator?

Also, I know we're on the subject of Outlook, but what about the new 
laptops and desktops that are coming out that have a "Co-Pilot" key 
which replaces the applications key? What has Microsoft done on this so 
far, and will we have the option to map the keys? I know there are apps 
out there which can do it, but wouldn't they think of other options at 
the beginning of their thinking stage? Yes, Shift+F10 works well, but 
there are specialty apps out there were you have to hit 
Control+Applications keys or similar to do tasks accessibly.

Hoping that the Microsoft lightbulb will turn on once everybody floods 
their disability answer desks once the new Outlook gets preinstalled 
into windows without prior written notice. Or perhaps if JAWS or NVDA 
can keep up with the constant changes. But for now, I'm sticking with 
trusty thunderbird mail app and other open-source alternatives to 
office; they seem to be better at listening than the bid corporate 
counterparts.


-- Humberto

JAWS Certified, 2024 <http://freedomscientific.com/training/certification>


On 8/7/2024 9:25 AM, Reginald George via Trainer-Talk wrote:
> To me, this  belies  Microsoft’s supposed commitment to putting accessibility first, and not trying to bolt it on as an afterthought.   When they slap the same name on five different programs, It feels like the confusion is deliberate for marketing purposes. I still don’t understand, even after reading the clarifications, whether the free Windows version called outlook that’s replacing mail is going to be as accessible for screen, reader users  as mail was. It feels like the intent is to force people away from using email and into more secure and trackable interfaces.   The windows mail interface was clunky and lacking in usability,  but at least it worked. Changing the name from office 365 to Microsoft 365 blurs the lines of what are productivity apps and again lumps things together under a meaningless title. And I don’t understand why they continue to do this.
>
> Reg
> Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. Alan Saunders, John Lennon
> Sent from my self driving starship!
>
> On Aug 7, 2024, at 8:11 AM, Brian Vogel via Trainer-Talk<trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>  wrote:
>
> *Too many Microsoft Outlook's - we explain them all*
> <https://office-watch.com/2022/many-faces-of-microsoft-outlook/>   (last
> updated July 2024)
>
>
> The long and the short of it, as of today's date is this:
>
>
> 1. Outlook for Windows - Official name of what replaces the Mail, People,
> and Calendar Apps on Windows 10 & 11.  Free.
>
>
> 2. Outlook 365 -  Is one program, with two user interface variants:
>
>           a) New Outlook - this UI and the UI for Outlook for Windows are
> virtually identical and while not inaccessible, are not particularly screen
> reader friendly.  Much of the functionality we know and love in Outlook 365
> (classic) is missing.
>
>           b) Outlook Classic, which is, at times, styled Outlook
> (Classic).  It will be supported until 2029.
>
>           c)  One can toggle between the New Outlook and Outlook Classic
> User Interface in Outlook 365.  Even though it's now past the preview
> stage, the instructions for toggling between New Outlook and Outlook
> Classic remain the same:  Getting back to Outlook Classic User Interface if
> you're in the Inaccessible New Outlook User Interface (AKA Outlook Preview
> or Outlook PRE)
> <https://groups.io/g/M365-Accessibility/topic/99025717?p=%2C%2C%2C100%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Arecentpostdate%2Fsticky%2C%2Coutlook+classic%2C100%2C2%2C0%2C99025717%2Cct%253D1&ct=1>
>
>           d) If the simplified ribbons are showing in Outlook Classic,
> here's how you go back to the full ribbons: Restoring the Classic Ribbons
> in Outlook 365<https://groups.io/g/M365-Accessibility/message/7552>
>
>
>
> Brian V
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