New software enables #blind people to do a thing they couldn't do before. Here's a link to an inaccessible PDF about it, a research paper, and an image without alt text. Oh, you wanted to use the software? We didn't link to that because this page is designed to inspire sighted people hahaha

People of the #fediverse, especially those creating various services, there are alternatives to HCAPTCHA when you ask people to create accounts or login. Despite HCAPTCHA's propaganda, HCAPTCHA is not truly accessible to #blind people. It requires us to give up our privacy if we choose the cookie option. The text alternative doesn't work most times. I just tried to sign up for a /kbin server at https://redit.buzz and wasted 30 mins on HCAPTCHA.

Please be #inclusive!

#accessibility

Content warning: Linux GUI Click to open/close

Please, please do not do this under any circumstance, if you care about your instance being accessible to the #blind and visually impaired (hint, you should).

#HCaptcha is a horrible example of how not to implement a #captcha solution, forcing people to register their email address and store a cookie, as well as disable cross origin restrictions on their devices in order to pass validation.

There are much better alternatives, such as the no-hassle https://github.com/mCaptcha/mCaptcha, which does not need any user input other than checking a checkbox. Alternatively, use captchas that provide text versions, e.g. via solving a math question or at the very minimum, provide an audio version, knowing that it is not ideal for the hearing impaired.

HCaptcha is NOT the future. #accessibility #a11y

Thanks to the makers of #Fedilab for your continued work towards #accessibility on #Android.

The latest version of the app has an setting to require alternate text before making a post. A great reminder for users sharing images on Mastodon, Pixelfed, or Friendica servers.

I hope all Fedilab users turn the setting on, so everyone can benefit from your pictures!

#AndroidA11y #A11y #AltText #Blind #LowVision @apps

I've thought about doing this for a while now.
#AltText is something I advocate for, as well as some other simple ways to make posts more #accessible and #inclusive. Let's make this #interactive.
Reply with an #image and I'll tell you what my #ScreenReader thinks it shows, as a practical #demonstration of inaccuracies, limitations and why alt text is better.
Edit on request: Not all screen readers can do image recognition. Alt text is the only viable way to be inclusive. #accessibility #blind

One thing we noticed in the #NVOVID group is that #Jitsi is also has the best #accesibility features ...it was the only one that a #blind member was able to use out of the box.

The latest episode of my #Podcast, @MosenAtLarge, has nearly an hour discussing how #Blind people like me use Mastodon and how to get started. I discuss some MastoDos and MastoDon'ts in general and focus on #accessibility on several platforms including the web interface, #Pinafore, and #Metatext. It's in any podcast app. The #audio is at https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/bd3f4f1e/mastering-mastodon-how-do-you-get-started-with-ham-radio-and-a-fix-for-the-eset-issues-plaguing-screen-reader-users. The #transcript is at https://mosen.org/malp0206transcript/
Hope blind people find it helpful and sighted people find it interesting.

If you're like me, then you were really happy to learn about Mastodon's enthusiastic support for image descriptions, and you were eager to join in.

Then you went to actually write something and realized you have no idea how to present visual info in a way that is helpful/enjoyable to those who are #VisuallyImpaired or #Blind.

I found this guide really informative: https://uxdesign.cc/how-to-write-an-image-description-2f30d3bf5546

Post-viral Edit: Don't forget to give the author some love on medium. They did the work!

#Accessibility

Today, a blind man asked me to help him cross the first lane of a two-way avenue. I did. Then he thank me and let go my arm. I asked him if he was going to stay in the middle of the two lanes. He said yes. He got a plastic glass from his bag, and stood near the traffic light post. He was going to ask for alms the for a while. I am not sure yet of whether helping him cross the street was enough help or not.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hoy, un hombre ciego me pidió ayuda para cruzar la primera parte de una avenida de dos vías. Lo ayudé. Me dio las gracias y soltó mi brazo. Le pregunté si había decidido quedarse en medio de ambas vías de la avenida. Me dijo que sí. Sacó un vaso de plástico de su bolso y se paró al lado del semáforo. Se disponía a pedir limosna durante algunas horas. Y yo no estoy seguro de si ayudarle a cruzar la calle fue suficiente ayuda o no.

#morality #blind