According to Facebook, newsfeed updates will load faster and actions such as commenting and clicking 'like' will be updated in real time. However, our testing of the updated app on an iPhone 4S shows a number of features that are still inaccessible using VoiceOver.
Some of the new accessibility barriers include:
Funded by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network grants scheme, the report explains the current state of social media accessibility and guides users through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Skype and blogging.
Media Access Australia researcher, Dr Scott Hollier, conducted an eight month qualitative study among people with a sensory or mobility impairment. Through this research, social media users with disabilities were able to share their tips and tricks so that others can gain access.
LinkedIn is a popular social networking tool that focuses on professional contacts. It allows users to create an online personal résumé, add other people as professional connections, participate in work-related discussions and follow the events of various organisations.
Twitter is a popular social networking tool that allows users to send a short, mostly text-based message up to 140 characters long known as a ‘tweet’. These tweets are then published online and can be publicly viewed. Twitter users can post their own tweets, follow the tweets of other users or contribute to a wider online discussion based on a particular topic or event.
The project, authored by MAA in partnership with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, researched the accessibility of various social media. This research led to the writing of user guides and tip sheets which will enable people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or vision impaired, to participate online.
