As a blind woman, I often encounter challenges that people with disabilities face daily. Recently, I faced a particularly frustrating issue that left me in tears, underscoring the importance of accessible technology.
I use voice-over to navigate my calendar. The problem arises when I need to join a Zoom or Teams meeting via a link within the calendar appointment. Both Google Calendar and Apple Calendar have significant accessibility issues in this regard.
The Current Challenges:
- Google Calendar: Although the meeting link is visible in the notes section, it cannot be clicked using voice-over.
- Apple Calendar: While there is a join button, it is embedded within the header info and cannot be accessed with voice-over enabled.
This morning, I was reduced to tears because I had an important meeting but couldn’t join due to these accessibility barriers. It’s incredibly frustrating to know you can do something and have the knowledge to do it, but the technology lets you down.
What Needs to Change:
A straightforward solution would be to add a proper, easily accessible “Join” button for Zoom or Teams meetings in calendar apps. This button should be fully compatible with voice-over technology to ensure that visually impaired users can join their meetings without frustration.
My Personal Experience:
“I try to keep it together and try every possible way to get into the meeting because I know how hard it has been to get it in the diary. Doors don’t often open easily for blind people, so when there is a slight glimmer of hope that I might be able to make a difference, I grab it with both hands—like a dog with a bone. That opportunity is like gold dust.”
“In my desperation, I phoned Be My Eyes. For those who may not know, Be My Eyes connects blind and low-vision users who want sighted assistance with volunteers through live video. Normally, this is a brilliant service that I can’t thank enough. However, in this instance, the volunteer couldn’t help me they didn’t know how to navigate the calendar with voice-over, so it was beyond their ability to assist.”
“The frustration grew as he couldn’t guide my finger to where it should be. On top of that, the voice-over was in the background, and listening to his frustration made my anxiety build up. I had to phone my husband on a video call, shouting and explaining what I needed. It was the worst experience you can imagine. You want to work, you want to contribute, you want to do everything and anything, but when your eyes don’t work and the technology lets you down, it leaves you feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless. And all because the world is not set up for disabled people.”
Call to Action:
Apple and Google, it’s time to get your act together. Ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can access and use your tools effectively is not just good practice but also a step towards a more inclusive world. Launching webinar links from calendar apps should work seamlessly with voice-over enabled.
If there is a join button or weblink, it needs to be programmed so that it’s a separate clickable link in voice-over on phones and iPads.
For Users:
If you are experiencing similar issues, consider reaching out to the support teams of these calendar apps. Highlighting these problems can often accelerate the process of getting them fixed.
Together, let’s push for more accessible technology and ensure that no one has to face unnecessary barriers in their professional or personal lives.
Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced similar issues with calendar accessibility? Do you know how Samsung, Google phones, and Android deal with this issue? Do you have any experience you can share? Comment below if you know how to make this work, if there’s a workaround, or if you have any other comments. Share your stories and let’s work together to make a change.
Let’s advocate for a world where technology works for everyone.
Seema
Below are a couple of screenshots to show you how the calendar app look in both apps.
