My Letter to the Developers of PlayOn Cloud, an iOS App Not Accessible to Blind Users

Hello, I don't know if any of you know what PlayOn.TV is. It is a program we use a bit. They just recently released a app called PlayOn Cloud that we have found unusable. I was hoping to make the developers aware and maybe start considering V.O in the development. So I sent an email to the CEO,CTO and COO. I hoping maybe I could get some input and maybe if I am wrong about anything, corrected. I do realize I was incorrect in the use of the word Native, However the excuse doesn't hold water to me. First email Hello, I understand accessibility can't necessarily be easily accomplished on all platforms, One platform that provides the tools necessary is the Apple Eco system, AppleTV, IOS products and such. Up until recently the IOS client app was very accessible. Sadly as the apps get updated and improved we seem to be losing that accessibility. One good example is the new PlayOn Cloud app which is unusable for us as you can't even click on the provider you want and many of the buttons don't read at all. This is disappointing since it is such and amazing idea. It is my hope that reaching out to you, you might help with these issues and that maybe we can get and maintain accessibility for at least the Apple products. We would be happy to answer any questions and test any changes and help out any way possible. If something could be done we would be so very grateful. The Reply, Hi, I am glad you are getting so much use out of PlayOn. The new PlayOn cloud app is a native iOS app rather than a web-based HTML app like the PlayOn one, so accessibility isn’t built in – and is much more difficult. I am sorry we cannot accommodate your needs with PlayOn Cloud, but hope you continue to enjoy the PlayOn desktop suite of products and apps! Best, Tracy Hello, Thanks for your reply, However, I don't fully agree with it and I like to believe your company would not just write off this customer base. Both the Client and Cloud are Native IOS apps as they are actually installed and run on the IOS device and make full use of the IOS interface and API's, The fact that they connect to a server does not change this. Apple provides all the tools, information and API's necessary to make any app that can be purchased through the App store accessible with VoiceOver that is built into the core of all apple products. The developers should be able to make use of these API's and Labeling, however sadly they do not, thus limiting our accessibility. I should note that we have accessibility issues with not just the PlayOn Cloud app, however, lately we have also been having some minor issues with the PlayOn Client. We are also hoping these may be addressed as well. We would happy to work with your developers on specifics of what is and isn't already accessible in the your apps and could find others who would be willing to do so as well. Any input would be great.