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Anecdote: much of the software competing with Zoom has really bad accessibility for disabled users, incl. those using a screen reader, screen magnifier, keyboar
by jscholes 7y ago
Anecdote: much of the software competing with Zoom has really bad accessibility for disabled users, incl. those using a screen reader, screen magnifier, keyboard-only/switch control, speech recognition, etc. This is despite the fact that some of it has been around for 10+ years, or is backed by large companies like Google.
I bring this up because that can also cause privacy issues. There are the direct concerns, like not being able to access the text of their policies or accessibly manage your preferences. But the less obvious factor is inaccessible controls to:
- verify whether or not you're streaming video;
- determine whether your microphone is muted or not;
- ... etc.
If I don't know what I'm streaming and exposing to meeting participants, I'm losing on the privacy front. So Zoom it will have to be for now, I'm afraid. If you think it has too many issues for you to be a viable product, and have the option of making an alternative more inclusive, I'm open to chat.
- judge2020 7y ago> much of the software competing with Zoom has really bad accessibility for disabled users, Does that mean Zoom does in fact perform the necessary legwork on the accessibility front?
- jscholes 7y ago> Does that mean Zoom does in fact perform the necessary legwork on the accessibility front? Pretty much. They're not perfect, but they have put a ton of effort into it. It may be because they do business with governments, so require things like Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs)[1]. But it is the only platform I can actively consider using for work, as someone who relies on a screen reader. [1] https://zoom.us/accessibility https://zoom.us/accessibility