[Irl-dean] Accessibility thoughts on the iPhone

[Laurence Veale]

Call this one of those crap "5 things" memes/chain emails, but having
just read the comments on the following blog post:
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/01/10/does-the-iphone-shaft-the-blind/  , I'd
be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on the iPhone. I've answered
my own questions below to stimulate a bit of banter. Feel free to keep
it light or to go a little deeper (if so, I expect use of the word
"haptics" to be used and hopefully explained)

Q: Do you think Apple Inc considered visual impaired customers in
designing the interface (and if they did consider, did they decide to
ignore)?
A: With Apple's innovation in design, the question was surely asked,
but I think "different" and "cool" trumped those considerations

Q: Do you want one?
A: Not really. Although I'd love to play with someone else's for an
afternoon. Then ask me again.

Q: Is the fact that it *seems* to offer purely visual feedback lead to
a worse user experience for everyone?
A: Possibly, how the hell will I send a text from under the steering
wheel while driving?

Q: Is it okay for manufacturers (like websites) in a saturated
marketplace to ignore accessibility, as someone else can always cater
for people with disabilities?
A: I don't think so, I'm of the universal design school of thinking
(but haven't yet graduated ;) )

Q: Sure, can't blind people just buy a Nokia?
A: More of a practical question than above, but I suppose they'll have to

-- 
Laurence Veale
Senior Analyst
iQ Content Ltd

Usability | Accessibility | Training | Search

iQ Content is a Google Enterprise Partner

Blog: www.iqcontent.com/blog
Tel: (office) +353 1 817 0768
Tel: (mobile) +353 87 900 2999
Skype: laurenceveale
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Email: laurence.veale at iqcontent.com