APPLE ACCESSIBILITY LINE AND FOCUS BUG

By Tom, 29 October, 2014

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

I CALLED THE ACCESSIBILITY LINE AT APPLE AND YOU DO GET A PERSON WHO KNOWS VO. I DESCRIBED TO HIM THE BUG OF WHEN YOU ARE IN MAIL WITH AN ATTACHMENT THAT YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE ATTACHMENT BY FLICKING RIGHT AND DOUBLE TAPPING, UNLESS YOU FIRST GET THE ATTACHMENT BUTTON ON THE SCREEN. THIS IS A KNOWN BUG. THE MAN ON THE PHONE WALKED THRU IT WITH ME AND WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, , HE COULD NOT FIND IT AS A DOCUMENTED BUG. SO PERHAPS IF MORE PEOPLE CALL THIS IN IT WILL GET FIXED. THIS BUG MAKES SOME APPS UNUSABLE. FOR EXAMPL AMAZON IS VERY HARD TO YOUS WITH THIS BUG.

TOM

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Comments

By Missy Hoppe on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

It sounds like this is the bug that makes it impossible to play the Choice of Games interactive fictions. Maybe I can use this thread as a way to call apple accessibility to report the bug again. I don't use mail on my phone, so couldn't put it in the context of the inability to open attachments; I could only describe the way it impacts the choice of games apps. Thank you very, very much for reporting the bug. Hopefully now that they're more aware of it, they'll be able to fix it.

By dvdmth on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

This is one of several bugs I have reported to Apple Accessibility. I reported it again after it wasn't fixed in iOS 8.1, though I haven't yet heard back from them. As has been stated multiple times here and elsewhere, it is important for everyone to submit bug reports to Apple Accessibility, even those which are common knowledge, as that improves the likelihood that the Apple engineers will be able to identify the cause and ultimately resolve the issues.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

In all honesty, if we do this more, we can endu up annoying them into fixing these d**n Bugs. Just found two new ones myself. One is Wikipedia website not responding to double taps anymore and the other is when writing reviews for apps, the typing mode switches to standard typing even if the typing mode is set to touch typing.

By BlindMag on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

How do we reach the Apple Accessibility Line to make bug reports?

one way is to email accessibility@apple.com. However, there is usually no response when submitting feedback in this way..

Another way is to call apple accessibility at 1877-204-3930. Although it is cool to talk to these dedicated reps, I am almost starting to feel like its akin to writing a letter to the president. You know its getting to the White House. You know someone is going to read the letter. But whether or not it gets sent up to the president and they make an effort is subjective to what they think is important.

A third way(have had the most success. responses sometimes, and bugs getting fixed at times) is going to bugreporter.apple.com. You can log on with your apple id and password and leave actual bug reports. Please note that Internet explorer may not be the best browswer to use.

Another idea I had and have just executed was to contact apple and ask to talk to customer relations. The reason for this is that the customer relations reps have a great deal of power and sway. I say this because they can do things normal reps cannot such as refund you on orders or have people fired (if needed). These reps are responsible for making customers happy when there are complaints and I believe that if some of us take the time to call Apple (1800-6927753), ask to be transferred to a customer relations rep, and explain that voiceover is having so many issues, then more attention will be put to it. Please note, when calling apple, you are going to have to explain why you want to speak to customer relations, and the normal reps might not know what voiceover actually is. the Customer Relations reps are better and even asked for the applevis website as I told them that many individuals have discussed accessibility issues here and explained each bug at nausiam.

By Troy on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

I've seen the bug report website mentioned a few times on here. Keep in mind the only problem is if you are not a tester you won't be able to get on, unless they have changed this since I've tried it last. I would like to do it this way but I'm not a tester.

As far as I am aware, you don't need to be a tester anymore. All you need is an apple ID and password.

The biggest hurtle is learning how the website works. On the Windows side, Internet Explorer does not allow for creating new reports (Firefox works for that well though). I have not tried it on the Mac side.

However, if I am wrong, I would like to request that someone that is not a tester try and let us know. But I read yesterday that bugreporter.apple.com is now open to anyone wanting to leave feedback directly to the engineers.

The more of us that do that, the more attention it gains. And, the more likely it will be fixed.

By Troy on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

Hello,
I am not a tester or a developer and I am still unable to log in, still says I need a developer account

By Weary Mouse on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

Well, I'm not sure this is totally true, but several of the people on the support line have told me that they have no influence at all and it's more effective for us to email accessibility@apple which is not at all the same people as the people who answer the accessibility support line.

By BlindMag on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 16:21

Thanks! I will report bugs as I encounter them. I am using my device more and getting more familiar with it.

I am very young to the iDevices world and just recently bought the iPhone 5S. Have been hearing about the accessibility bugs with IOS 8+ and now have experienced one too many too. I don't know whom to write to with my concerns. Would you be in a position to share an email id or something please?

PS. I am in India, phone number might not work. Appreciate it!