https://www.reddit.com/r/modnews/comments/15elqd3/accessibility_updates_to_mod_tools_part_3/
created by platinumpixieset on 31/07/2023 at 17:03 UTC
0 upvotes, 18 top-level comments (showing 18)
Hi mods!
I’m u/platinumpixieset, a product lead at Reddit focused on accessibility. I’m here to give you all an update from our earlier post[1] on the latest accessibility improvements that will be compatible with your device’s screen reader.
We’ve incorporated focus order and added accessible labels, roles, and state to the community settings and user flair on iOS and Android within mod tools. Settings include:
Below you’ll find a video that shows an example of how VoiceOver reads the Community Type Setting labels, role, and state to help screen reader mods navigate the setting and take action.
Video of screenreader in action, unmute video for audio
In upcoming releases, you’ll experience improvements to the remaining community and user settings within mod tools:
We’ll continue to prioritize and release accessibility improvements to ensure screen readers help mods navigate their tools efficiently on iOS and Android.
At a later time, we’ll incorporate these improvements on desktop starting with the Ban Evasion filter[2].
Starting next month, we’ll be meeting monthly with a select group of redditors to share our plans and collect feedback. If you haven’t already, please submit this form[3] with your interest if you’d like to join these conversations.
3: https://forms.gle/ZWP5efxRdaKwHj6o9
We encourage you to check out our accessibility plans for the general app experience here[4].
4: https://www.reddit.com/r/reddit/comments/15aa6ea/accessibility_improvements_on_ios_and_android/
Thank you for continuously sharing your feedback. I look forward to providing more updates on the accessibility across the platform in the coming months. In the meantime, please ask your questions in the comments.
P.S. Once you’ve had a chance to use the tools with the screen reader enabled, please reach out [5]to share your experience or add a comment below.
5: https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=16982666748180
Comment by DHamlinMusic at 31/07/2023 at 17:42 UTC
317 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Ok so mod on r/blind here, totally blind, and umm sorry to break this to you but I have no idea what you think is fixed, cannot find any improvements to the things you listed, btw I also cannot get that video to work on the android app, and you have introduced a pile of new issues, there are rampant focus traps throughout the home screen pop up menus, focus is resetting constantly throughout the app making doing anything a massive chore, and you broke state on mod mode indicator on subs so I cannot even tell if I’m in mod mode, also still cannot vote or reply to anything when in mod mode because those options vanish from being focusable when it's active.
Comment by [deleted] at 31/07/2023 at 19:51 UTC*
134 upvotes, 2 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by Ipad207 at 31/07/2023 at 17:29 UTC
143 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I know a good way to make Reddit more accessible. Let 3rd party apps come back!!
Comment by SomethingIWontRegret at 31/07/2023 at 19:28 UTC
59 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Hey guys - have you considered, I don't know, maybe hiring a *blind developer* or two? The old axiom about eating your own dogfood applies here.
Maybe as a stopgap you can put a blindfold on and try to use your own app before making this kind of embarrassing post?
Comment by TistDaniel at 31/07/2023 at 18:38 UTC
52 upvotes, 0 direct replies
At this point, I've given up on reddit getting better. It's clear that our voices aren't being heard, and profit is prioritized over user experience.
Comment by draeath at 31/07/2023 at 20:46 UTC
48 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Reddit staff: "Thank you for continuously sharing your feedback."
Meanwhile: the feedback portal.
Comment by rumster at 01/08/2023 at 03:54 UTC
39 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Direct question to you, /u/platinumpixieset: As the head mod of r/blind and an accessibility specialist, I have some concerns about the recent update. I haven't tested it yet, but based on /u/DHamlinMusic's response, it doesn't seem like a good update, just like in the past. Before you release another update and send me the SDK, please inform me. I am willing to personally test the environment to ensure a smooth release. I understand your intentions are good, but as an accessibility specialist, I can say with certainty that you are not adequately testing in curtain mode or as a real user. /u/DHamlinMusic, who is my second-in-command and a dedicated mod/user of /r/Blind, helps numerous individuals with issues daily. If he's upset like this, it means we're not on the right path anymore. Our support is crucial to many people around the world, and we have almost every blind organization monitoring the situation at /r/Blind. I have even NFB asking me to keep them updated the largest Blind Organization in the country.
The following issues are not compliant with WCAG:
1. Users should be kept inside a section on the screen with the ability to exit.
2. Remember that focus order is crucial for screen reader users, especially on phones.
3. Be mindful of the shift/tab rule for focus order. If it doesn't work forward, it won't work backward, indicating an issue.
1. If a user cannot access a section using the (2.4.7) process, you have failed to comply here. It seems like an issue, and I suspect it might be due to visible testing. Even if you don't use FLICK and rely on touch, you can have vibrations indicating different screen boxes opening. Think outside the box when it comes to apps.
2. I never asked this but have you tested w/ keyboard on mobile? If you do you will be able to fix a lot of issues above with keyboard testing involved in it. Also it will make sure that some users I know who use a keyboard-mobile device with TalkBack and VoiceOver get proper support as well.
1. There's a critical missing issue regarding the "status" of the app, covered under 4.1.2 as I mentioned before. Always consider this when dealing with any type of notification. For example, if the user receives four messages, they should also receive a status message indicating that. Additionally, users should be able to flick to the button and receive notification of how many items are in the status, just like checking a cart on a shopping site.
I'm glad to see that the issue we had with the last update regarding 2.1.2 kt seems to be resolved now.
Once again, if you need a one-on-one call with me, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to spend an hour on the phone to go over these issues with you since you guys are in Cali. As I mentioned to /u/advocado20, who has been great with communication, I am eager to get these issues fixed and move forward positively. /r/Blind is an important part of my life and to many others and we want the best for the users. Read this weekends questions and you will see how much impact even a weekend has for our small community.
Anyway, I didn't want to be a writing to much here.
Comment by MostlyBlindGamer at 31/07/2023 at 17:40 UTC*
46 upvotes, 1 direct replies
The unmute button doesn’t work on iOS with VoiceOver.
Edit: this worked on a different device.
Comment by paskatulas at 31/07/2023 at 17:19 UTC
68 upvotes, 3 direct replies
When do you plan to fix this[1]? That's not a small security concern.
1: https://www.reddit.com/r/ModSupport/comments/1536q1l/reddit_chat_is_not_safe_as_you_think/
Comment by Mr_Blah1 at 31/07/2023 at 21:35 UTC
67 upvotes, 5 direct replies
That is the stuff mods *actually* want.
Comment by Clackpot at 01/08/2023 at 11:33 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Are you seriously pretending there isn't still an elephant in the room? How on Earth do you do that and keep a straight face? In fact how do you even get up each morning knowing that, yet again, you will spend your time at work professing that day is night?
Is this a helpful post? Nah. You know what else isn't helpful? Yeah, that thing, the elephant.
Comment by BuckRowdy at 01/08/2023 at 13:55 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Reddit has nothing but contempt for the user base. Words mean nothing. The only thing that matters is actions which make clear their disregard for the users. I hope we don't have to see any more toxic positivity announcements littered with gifs or meme speak.
Comment by ForgingIron at 31/07/2023 at 18:12 UTC
39 upvotes, 0 direct replies
API
Comment by globalvarsonly at 31/07/2023 at 20:41 UTC
31 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Again, I haven't read the post, and I don't know whats going on here.
fuck /u/spez
Comment by maybesaydie at 31/07/2023 at 18:29 UTC
15 upvotes, 0 direct replies
When are you going to fix v.reddit so it doesn't freeze every time?
Comment by RJFerret at 01/08/2023 at 12:04 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not just a visual issue, turns out Reddit's app doesn't even install on older devices.
So now there's none.
Comment by thibedeauxmarxy at 31/07/2023 at 17:42 UTC*
14 upvotes, 3 direct replies
This sounds like it could be good news, though I'd like to hear the feedback from actual users of these features. You guys have a pretty strong, well earned reputation for trying to pass off polished turds as fully developed features.
In the meantime, here's a question that I completely expect you to ignore because it isn't effusive praise: where have you been until now? My understanding is that these issues have been present in Reddit's apps for quite some time. If you're the Accessibility Product Lead then I'm curious to know what you prioritized over addressing these problems.
Comment by amyaurora at 02/08/2023 at 19:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Am curious what the updates are to the archive option. Right now we have archives turned on but we would love to be able to set our own timeline for it.