Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Latest Skype updates made it inaccessible - looking for alternative voice call application (self.Blind)
submitted by Xenolog
Hello everyone
Several latest updates of PC Skype interface made it inaccessible for my almost totally blind relative (he uses NVDA as screen reader). The Skype panels became too numerous and convoluted for navigation via tab and arrow keys, so currently he is effectively unable to use it.
Which voice call applications are currently used by blind people around here?
If it helps, my relative has iPhone and is very satisfied with Siri, it is well-tuned for our native language, so some fully voice enabled iOS app would work great all the same.
Several latest updates of PC Skype interface made it inaccessible for my almost totally blind relative (he uses NVDA as screen reader). The Skype panels became too numerous and convoluted for navigation via tab and arrow keys, so currently he is effectively unable to use it.
Which voice call applications are currently used by blind people around here?
If it helps, my relative has iPhone and is very satisfied with Siri, it is well-tuned for our native language, so some fully voice enabled iOS app would work great all the same.
zosobaggins 3 points 2y ago
Look into https://meet.jit.si/
Jitsi is free, secure, open source, runs in almost every browser, has apps for iOS and Android, and is super simple to use.
I have a persistent group chat set up with my friends that we can just jump into whenever, and it’s very fast and simple. I’m legally blind and my mother is total, and we both use it (though a caveat, I’m the one who set it up, she just follows a link, but it works!).
Can’t recommend jitsi enough.
Jitsi is free, secure, open source, runs in almost every browser, has apps for iOS and Android, and is super simple to use.
I have a persistent group chat set up with my friends that we can just jump into whenever, and it’s very fast and simple. I’m legally blind and my mother is total, and we both use it (though a caveat, I’m the one who set it up, she just follows a link, but it works!).
Can’t recommend jitsi enough.
je97 2 points 2y ago
What does he need it for? Messenger is fully accessible, unless he needs to make calls to phones.
Xenolog [OP] 1 points 2y ago
He uses it to communicate with his friends. Almost 100% of them use PC and only several of them have Iphones, so i suppose iOS-only apps are (almost) out of question.
Nevertheless I thank you for your advice, I will try to teach him Messenger usage. Probably he will connect with some of his peers this way.
Nevertheless I thank you for your advice, I will try to teach him Messenger usage. Probably he will connect with some of his peers this way.
je97 1 points 2y ago
Messenger works with google chrome and firefox as well. Calls don't work on IE though.
SightlessBastard 2 points 2y ago
I am actually not sure, if there is an alternative to Skype. I mean, there is Teamtalk, Teamspeak and Discord. But these apps are more for group calls. And you would need a server.
I have stopped using Skype a while ago. But as far as I remember, the Iphone app was pretty accessible. Has your relative tried the Iphone version?
I have stopped using Skype a while ago. But as far as I remember, the Iphone app was pretty accessible. Has your relative tried the Iphone version?
Xenolog [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Not really, he didn't. I'll try to teach him! Though the problem is that almost nobody of his blind friends has Iphones, so they won't be able to use it anyway. Besides my relative, I'm trying to find some simple enough systematic solution for all of his peer circle, and this is the area where some dedicated Discord server may actually help.
SightlessBastard 2 points 2y ago
Discord is pretty accessible, on the computer, as well as on the Iphone. He might need some time to getting used to it though...
Alaisha 1 points 2y ago
People don't have to have iphones to talk to others on Skype who are using the app. The Skype app is for Skype, which can be used by anyone. I use Skype with a bluetooth keyboard. It has worked pretty well so far.
Xenolog [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Oh, my bad - what I meant of teaching him was iOS Messenger app you mentioned first.
soundwarrior20 1 points 2y ago
The web version of Skype works well with Chrome but I mostly use the iOS version
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Whatsapp’s good.
Tip: double tap and hold and slide up to lock your voice message.
Tip: double tap and hold and slide up to lock your voice message.
ginsenshi 1 points 2y ago
It’s a old program and you have to deal with frequent ads, but the old GW connect is floating around the web somewhere it’s a access for Skype client with voice and audio chat only and no video since it died when GW micro merged with AI squared
https://thea11yfiles.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/gwconnect-returns-thanks-to-patched-skypekit/
https://thea11yfiles.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/gwconnect-returns-thanks-to-patched-skypekit/
magouslioni690 1 points 2y ago
I'm using an $1 It's not as bad as the newer versions.
I prevented it from updating automatically by creating a folder named Skype.exe on C:\\ProgramData\\Skype
I prevented it from updating automatically by creating a folder named Skype.exe on C:\\ProgramData\\Skype
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
I didn't notice it change, maybe I just didn't get the update yet. Also I'm not on NVDA.
napoleon88 1 points 2y ago
Try zoom
Keiracat1337 1 points 2y ago
I use discord if you want to try it. It's free, mainly used for gamers but anyone can use it. And they are super cool on PC version. I use NVDA and they are currently making their own screen reader. for now however they have a function where they can track what your screen reader is doing, only if you allow it, so that they can make one that is adequate and up to the level of the screen readers we would normally have. I can't wait to see what the do with that.
Xenolog [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Actually creating a Discord server for them is a neat nice simple idea, thank you very much! It has all hotkeys in the world and should be simple enough to set up auto voice entry for his friends, almost all of them have lower computer literacy.
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