https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/13zr8h2/reddits_recently_announced_api_changes_and_the/
created by AutoModerator on 03/06/2023 at 22:03 UTC
2714 upvotes, 56 top-level comments (showing 25)
It's possible that those of you who are active on other subreddits may have read about the changes in pricing that Reddit has recently released for its API - the system apps use to get and send data from and to Reddit. But for those of you who haven't, here's a summary. On May 31, 2023, Reddit announced they were raising the price to make calls to their API from being free to a level that will kill every third party app on Reddit, from Apollo, to Dystopia, to Reddit for Blind, to Luna for Reddit, to BaconReader,. Even if you don't use any of those apps, this is a step toward killing other ways of customizing Reddit, such as the use of the old.reddit.com desktop interface. This doesn't only impact your ability to access Reddit in a fluid, customizable, and efficient way; many of us on the mod team are also blind, and we depend on those third party apps to make sure that this community remains a safe, fun, and productive place. Unfortunately, new Reddit, and the official Reddit apps, just don't provide us with the levels of accessibility we need in order to continue effectively running this community. As well, the Transcribers of Reddit, the many dedicated folks who volunteer to transcribe and describe thousands and thousands of images on Reddit, may also be unable to operate.
One of our moderators, u/itsthejoker, has had multiple hour-long calls with various Reddit employees. However, as of the current time, our concerns have gone unheard, and Reddit remains firm. That's why the moderation team of r/blind now feels that we have no choice but to take further action.
Those of us who are blind are no strangers to the need for collective action. From the protests that resulted in the ADA passing in the United States, to world-wide protests driving forward accessibility of some of the Internet's largest websites, collective action is a step our community has taken in the past, often with some success. It is with a heavy heart that we come to you now, and say that it's time to bring this tool out of the toolbox once more.
In solidarity with thousands of other subreddits who are impacted by this change, we will be shutting down the /r/blind subreddit for 48 hours from June 12th to June 14th. You will not be able to read or make posts during that time. Our Discord server will remain open, and we invite anyone who would like to interact with the /r/blind community to join us there. If you’re not part of the /r/blind Discord server yet, you can join via the following link: https://discord.com/invite/5kMEv7Sq9y[1][2]
1: https://discord.com/invite/5kMEv7Sq9y
2: https://discord.com/invite/5kMEv7Sq9y
While this issue has a profound impact on those of us who are blind and visually impaired, as with so many issues of accessibility and inclusivity, it impacts far more than just us. If you'd like to get involved, you can find out what you can do to help at r/Save3rdPartyApps- or, if you moderate a subreddit, its sister sub r/ModCoord. You can also join the Reddit-Blackout channel in the /r/blind Discord, where we will have resources you can use to contact media and other organizations, and keep everyone up to date with our on-going efforts in this matter.
If this change to the Reddit API is not reversed, we are not convinced that we will be able to continue running the r/blind subreddit. However, that doesn't mean the end of this wonderful, passionate, curious, helpful, and amazing community of folks. We are continuing to explore our options, and create back-up plans. We all want to remain on Reddit. Let's do what we can to make that a reality! But if it turns out we can't, we want to reassure you that this isn't the end of our community. So let’s focus on doing everything we can to make those possible back-up plans unnecessary.
The r/blind mod team
Comment by MostlyBlindGamer at 07/06/2023 at 22:53 UTC*
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Regarding the June 7 article on The Verge[1], r/blind was not contacted for comment on the new development.
1: https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/7/23752804/reddit-exempt-accessibility-apps-api-pricing-changes
We have not had clarification on Reddit's definitions of "accessibility focused apps" or any process to determine apps that qualify.
There is no clarification on "non-comercial apps," given the current model of the apps listed by The Verge.
We have strong concerns that Reddit lacks expertise to consider the varying access needs of the blind and visually impaired community.
We have reached out Reddit for further comment.
We would also like to note that r/blind, u/rumster in particular, have continuously contacted Reddit over accessibility concerns, over the past 3 years, having received no substantive response.
r/blind
Update: Given Reddit’s lack of clarity, r/blind will be compiling a list of apps that meet the community’s access needs. Go to this post to contribute to that list[2].
2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/1447ibp/what_apps_meet_your_access_needs/
Comment by BrailleKnights at 03/06/2023 at 22:18 UTC
49 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This subreddit is a great resource for the blind community and was the way I gathered my first group of players for Knights of the Braille almost 5 years ago.
Thank you for speaking up. Our community will help in any way we can.
Comment by KathyGameDesigner at 03/06/2023 at 23:33 UTC
29 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Please continue to allow people who are blind to use Reddit. This is such an important communication channel.
Comment by moonpegasus19 at 04/06/2023 at 05:50 UTC
22 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I'm just so tired! That is all! I'm so tired of feeling left behind by people who aren't aware, and who don't care. The choices we have for social media really aren't much, and if they don't care about third party apps, what else are they going to throw away? Will we lose this place too?
Comment by [deleted] at 06/06/2023 at 05:47 UTC
14 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by suitcaseismyhome at 03/06/2023 at 22:10 UTC
29 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Thank you for posting this and for taking the lead. It is indeed distressing that we have one more Avenue closing to us and people don't seem to understand why we are concerned.
Even before I lost most of my vision I was using the old reddit version because I was unable to see much on other new versions.
I've talked before about my struggles on an ipad to use rabbit and people here were very helpful to make suggestions for how I could still be an act of participant in a place that was very helpful as I went through all of these challenges.
It's really sad and distressing that our voices are not heard or understood because this is something that should be made available to us and closes off one more Avenue of access to the world.
Comment by witcwhit at 04/06/2023 at 17:30 UTC
24 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Is anyone looking into tackling this issue via an ADA lawsuit? There have been some small successes recently with lawsuits classifying the internet as a public space that accessibility laws apply to and if we could put together a class-action on this basis, it could go a long way in helping not just the blind community of Reddit, but accessibility on the internet in general. I'm not sure if the ACLU would take this on, but if they don't, maybe we could fundraise to pay a legal group to get it going? I'll definitely donate if that's something the mods want to do.
Comment by Anduri90 at 04/06/2023 at 17:43 UTC
8 upvotes, 4 direct replies
It doesn't affect me, have never used third-party apps. But out of solidarity, I will not be using Reddit during this period. I hope it does something and keep my fingers crossed that you will be heard. Good luck!
Comment by fastfinge at 06/06/2023 at 00:43 UTC
7 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Comment by [deleted] at 06/06/2023 at 19:29 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by saturday_sun3 at 06/06/2023 at 12:05 UTC*
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hey guys, hope I'm not overstepping by commenting on your sub. I'm sighted and able to use reddit on the mobile app, but do still have a VI and just wanna express solidarity.
I know reddit is an internet site and a business at the end of the day, but it sucks that it's treating its blind users and transcribers like this. You guys should not have to go through this BS just to use Reddit and engage with the community/subs here.
Anyway, over and out. ❤️
Comment by disguisedroast at 07/06/2023 at 00:36 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hello friends! I am not blind but have a brother who is and know how important it is for Reddit to keep 3rd party apps for accessibility, i will be joining the blackout period with plans to follow up thereafter if no action is taken by greedy fucking reddit. I also left a bad review on the Apple platform also informing them of what I thought of their recent actions. I hope you guys all follow me in this justified anger as Reddit is a window to a community that we can all enjoy whether we have disabilities or not. And then suddenly taking away that community is a big deal, especially, to those who can’t see very well.
Comment by First-Radish727 at 07/06/2023 at 22:49 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not blind, but I am extremely hard of hearing. I didn't know until this moment that Reddit and screen readers don't work. Horrible! I am very used to being left behind by social media platforms. I hope the boycott is effective.
Comment by mountain_dog_mom at 07/06/2023 at 01:36 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’m not blind or visually impaired but you have my full support! I am a service dog handler, so am no stranger to disabilities and how they impact lives. I’ve been advocating for subs to join this movement when I see posts. I’m so grateful the service dog sub is joining, as I know many SDs are guide dogs. Guide dogs helped pave the way for people like me to have my SD and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m also rallying support in other dog communities. I truly hope that Reddit sees how big of an issue this is. The more subs that join, the bigger the impact it will have.
To members of this community, you are not alone! There are so many people fighting alongside you to take a stand against this huge injustice!
Comment by PossibleExciting7837 at 07/06/2023 at 09:54 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I'm not blind but am an older person who sight is fading. I will support you for that week. This is far more important than any information I might need during that week. This situation also reminds me that Reddit is a just a business with only one real goal, make money for stock holders, the rest be damned. Nothing wrong with money making. But lots wrong with this situation.
Comment by [deleted] at 04/06/2023 at 12:23 UTC
13 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I just tried Reddit on a browser and oh God, it’s horrible!
I swear knew read it used to be fine, or at least okay, now it’s just really really clunky.
The shortcuts work up to a point, j and k move from previous post to next post, but no titles read out. X doesn’t seem to wor, and the comments have so many buttons above them.
I really really hope this thing you guys are doing helps because I can’t use this site. Yeah, there’s the old version, how long will that stay around?
Comment by [deleted] at 04/06/2023 at 18:24 UTC
10 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Hello, r/blind!
I'm not a member of your community; however, I very nearly suffered complete vision loss due to posterior uveitis. After half a decade of monthly steroid injections and a couple rounds of laser surgeries, I now have relatively stable, mostly-functional vision.
I remember the years I spent wondering how I could adapt to a society that offers so little to the visually-impaired, and I thought of you all first when the API news broke. I just want to say that you have not been forgotten; as upset as I am for myself, the most cynical part of all of this is the callous disregard that Reddit has shown for users that depend on accessibility apps to remain engaged with their communities here.
I'm disgusted with the way that this has been handled, and I will not be participating on this website once they drop third-party support. I hope you all are able to find a digital space that treats you with the dignity that you deserve.
Comment by babuloseo at 04/06/2023 at 05:05 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I actually go on here :(
Comment by [deleted] at 05/06/2023 at 04:07 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Can you share the resources here also before the blackout? I’m going to see if I can repost this to the Uveitis subreddit. Someone may want to do the same with the Glaucoma subreddit.
Comment by Vicki7789 at 05/06/2023 at 06:16 UTC
4 upvotes, 2 direct replies
This is not good. I have useful central vision so won’t be affected by the change, but the fact we’re being ignored is appalling. I totally support the blackout.
I am also willing to help moderate if needed, so that we can keep this space for anyone who wants to continue using it.
Discord confuses me but I’ll try and get over there too.
Comment by June_Berries at 06/06/2023 at 17:54 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
48 hours is way too short. They’ll wait it out.
Comment by jcourt01 at 07/06/2023 at 10:08 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I also think it’s sad we need to rely on 3rd party apps. If Reddit actually cared about us and accessibility we would at least have other options. In an ideal world lack of accessibility should negatively affect an IPO. REeddit doesn’t care about people just the data they can harvest from us for ai language models
Comment by [deleted] at 03/06/2023 at 23:05 UTC
9 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Assuming this means Reddit is itself struggling to maintain sustainability, I'd expect that even accessibility concerns won't be enough to change the site's strategy. That said, is Discord any better?
Comment by CivetKitty at 04/06/2023 at 05:22 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
The site reall needs to do something such as hiring the modders and adding the exclusive features to the base platform.
Comment by Florentinepotion at 04/06/2023 at 21:48 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’ll probably just stop using Reddit once this goes into affect. I spend too much time on here anyways.