Mobile operating systems

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Interest in mobile accessibility continues to increase: report

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The Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) has released a report suggesting that there has been an increased interest in the availability of accessibility features on smartphones and tablets.

Left hand holding a smartphone with floating squares emerging from the screen

The MMF released statistics related to its Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.


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Digital Gap pushes for change by 2017

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The call for improvement to digital accessibility for people with disabilities moved to Parliament House in Canberra with a call for significant change to happen by 2017, which is the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Two glass jars of peanut butter. Smooth on the left and crunchy on the right.


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BBC paper looks at the future of online captioning

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As people increasingly watch TV programs online, the opportunity arises for captions to be made more responsive to the needs of individual users. A new BBC white paper looks at some of the possibilities, which include users being able to vary font size and colour, along with many other enhancements.

Man and woman smiling while viewing media on a smartphone together


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Connect Ability Challenge awards accessible tech innovators

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The Connect Ability Challenge, which challenges developers to build accessible technology solutions for people with disabilities using only existing and affordable mainstream platforms, announced the winners of a USD$92,500 (AUD$125,381) prize pool last Monday.

Person using a tablet device in front of an open laptop


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Five tips to make the web work better in your language

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In late May, Dr Scott Hollier travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to teach a web accessibility course to 22 students. As part of the assignment work, the students learnt how to use the basic functionality of screen readers and other Assistive Technology (AT). While the work went well, it quickly became apparent that there were a number of issues relating to the way in which Arabic was supported by the tools, and how those tools interacted with the web.

Translate button on a keyboard amidst keys labelled with multiple languages

There are several reasons why the web becomes more complicated for non-English speaking users, and it’s a combination of a number of factors:


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Lessons from Skandia Bank’s accessibility journey

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Norwegian bank Skandiabanken’s Snorre Kim discusses why a major national bank decided to put digital accessibility at the front and centre of its recent website redesign and move to a new banking platform.

Skandiabanken logo

Snorre spoke to Media Access Australia following his presentation at Funka’s Accessibility Days conference, which was held April 14-15 in Stockholm, Sweden.


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Consumers encouraged to nominate accessible apps

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Users of mobile device apps have been encouraged to nominate their favourite accessible apps for the 2015 Apps For All Challenge.

App icons hovering above the screen of a tablet device. Image credit: ACCAN

The challenge, now in its second year, seeks to find Australia’s most accessible apps and encourage software developers to include digital accessibility when they create apps.


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Hong Kong honours accessible websites and apps

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The Government of Hong Kong has once again recognised the efforts of web developers and designers in creating websites and mobile apps that are accessible to everyone.

Web Accessibility Campaign: Making Web Content Available for All banner. Image credit: ogcio.gov.hk


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Samsung boosts smartphone accessibility with Galaxy Talkback for the S6 and S6 Edge

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Samsung’s Galaxy S range of smartphones are due to receive a significant accessibility upgrade with the addition of Galaxy Talkback and several new features for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge devices.

Two Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge devices stacked together. Image credit: TechStage via Flickr


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#CSUN15 wrap up

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The world’s major accessibility conference, the Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (#CSUN15) is close to wrapping up. If you missed some of the big sessions or want a handy recap on hot accessibility (#a11y) topics this year, check out Media Access Australia’s interviews with some of the key presenters.

Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) logo


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