Thanks, Facebook!

Posted by Caitlin McFeely on 1/29/2008 5:14:42 PM

Guest Blogger, Caitlin McFeely, AFB Communications

Over the past few months, AFB's Communications Department has spread the word about AFB through the "Cause" application on the social networking site Facebook. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, the Cause application allows individuals and organizations like AFB to explain their mission, invite other "Facebookers" to join and learn more, keep indivudals up to speed on issues, and raise money. To date, AFB's cause has 334 members and has raised $35!

AFB's biggest recruiter for our Cause is Michelle Hackman, one of the teenagers who spent a week at the L'Occitane Perfume School last June. Not only has Michelle recruited 65 people to AFB's Cause, but she has recently become an advocate for an accessible Facebook. Many blind and visually impaired users of Facebook, including Michelle, have noticed some flaws with the site.

One of the biggest problems still revolves around the CAPTCHA-the visual verification tool used to keep spam out of sites that provide online services. While it was great that Facebook added e-mail and audio alternatives to the CAPTCHA, Michelle noted these options don't always work: specifically, the audio alternative is difficult to comprehend. So even with these alternatives, the CAPTCHA still prohibits her from using many of Facebook's features. Another problem we recently encountered is that the audio CAPTCHA is available only when a screen reader is detected by the program. While this is great for blind users of Facebook who are accessing the site with a screen reader, this can prohibit low vision users from accessing the audio and/or e-mail alternative.

Michelle decided to take action and bring this and other problems to the Facebook staff. Last week, Michelle and I had the pleasure of discussing the inaccessible features of the site with Jeff, a Facebook employee that works on accessibility issues. Jeff was really responsive to our concerns and promised that his team would work hard to tackle these issues. He even hopes to set up a project timeline to keep track of the concerns and progress made.

I'll keep you posted about changes that are made by Facebook to make the site usable by all. For now, we want to thank Jeff and Facebook for making accessibility a priority. As Michelle said after the meeting, "I really liked what he said about Facebook really being accessible for everyone who wants to use it, because, of course he's right, but I don't think other people are always as considerate."

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Adidas Micropacer Syn shoe [http://www.niceshoemart.com/adidas-micropacer-syn-multicolor.html] on 6/14/2010 1:45:25 AM

face-book is nice idea for social networking...i love to refer to prefer face-book for social networking...

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Suzanna Dean on 5/16/2010 4:05:28 PM

Blind and visually impaired Facebook users, both beginners and experts, will want to check out StacyBleeks.com for the new Facebook mini tutorials These tutorials are designed for screen reader users and cover Facebook navigation, using the Facebook Wall, accessing your Facebook friends, posting your picture and more. The Facebook tutorials for the blind are here
http://stacybleeks.com/facebook_tutorials.html

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Audrey Winter on 2/24/2010 6:39:10 PM

I have just set up a Facebook account for my dad, who has been blind all his life, learned to use the computer at age 80 and now at 90 wants to learn how to use Facebook. He uses Window Eyes as his screen reader and we have figured out some of the naviagation but not nearly all of it. Is there a website or somewhere that we can go to learn all the ins and outs of Facebook use for the blind.Thanks!

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by leighanne crompton on 1/28/2010 8:00:49 AM

My friend needs the code sent to her,it was my fault I had deleted it from her phone. Ever since she ad been very disappointed with your with your website, I was going to join, this respomce to my friend I have changed my mind, Only if you can prove to me in the future of helping my friend. Randier890

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Jedd Sullivan [http://www.autopartsplace.com] on 11/16/2009 4:08:56 PM

been using Facebook for several months now. it is user-friendly!

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Amanda Farrer on 10/27/2009 6:01:35 AM

Hello:

My name is Amanda. I am a blind facebook user and I do enjoy it very much and its updates have made using it much easier. So I would like to thank the person or people responsible for making this possible. U have no idea what a great thing this is.!! The only problem iI have is I can't post photos, I mean sure I can't see them but my friendPlease send help in relation to this matter to amanda.farrer@cogeco.cas can...oor could if I could only figure out how to post them, Anyhelp would be muchly appreciated.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Connie Bach [http://www.rockwoman.wordpress.com] on 10/21/2009 9:23:13 PM

Here's my problem. I love facebook but I have JAWS 10 and when I try to post in my status it will make the sound that means it is in the box and then the one that means it isn't anymore. I haven't been able to update in three days and that is the only place it does it. Why?

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Nikki Hull on 8/2/2009 10:58:52 PM

I love facebook! I use jaws,and I have had a wonderful time using facebook.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Patrick Schuppe [http://www.patrickontwitter.com] on 7/24/2009 8:11:49 AM

Hello everyone:-)
My name is Patrick Schuppe. I am a blind facebook user from Germany.
I signed up with facebook. Everything went ok but when I logged in I only god Jaws saying on the page "link, link, link" and so on. I was totally schocked because the page looked great before I have signed up. I am not able to do anything because I only get this bad stuff said.
Has had anyone the same problem or know a way out of this. when I am not looged into facebook the site is looking great but once I am loged in its a nightmare.
Help is much appricated! I am on Skype with the username: PatrickSchuppe

All the best,
Patrick Schuppe

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Chris Westbrook on 6/13/2009 2:59:00 PM

Is facebook really working on accessibility or do htey just want us to use their mobile site? The mobile site doesn't offer many things that the main site does, so I find this unacceptable. I am using system access, and most of hte links do not work on the main site. Does AFB still work with them?

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Jennifer Maybury on 5/18/2009 1:43:30 AM

I am trying to use the mobile facebook site with JAWS 10.01142
I am having trouble navagating the website. Some of the cute things that friends send such as quizes do not work on the mobile version.
I am wondering if there is a way to make it work? I find the mobile version a little easier to use in some situations and harder to use in others. Any suggestions from other blind users which platform is better the mobile one or the full one.?
Thanks

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Susan Buckingham [http://www.s-buckingham.supanet.com/] on 3/9/2009 12:03:13 PM

I see that Jane Sun says she 'verified account'. May I ask how this is done, please? I couldn't work out how to do it.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Kathy Blackburn on 3/2/2009 6:51:03 PM

I have been on Facebook for a few months. I used to be able to add friends without difficulty. That is no longer true, no matter which screen reader I use. Today, I tried to help my husband sign up. The sound on the audio captcha was so mushy it was not possible to use it, , and I could find no other alternative, like a phone number to call, to get his account created.
I had also hoped to be able to play some of the word games and have had no luck getting those to work, either. I know some people think that social networking sites could be a boon to blind people. I am not yet convinced.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Jane Suh on 2/18/2009 2:10:10 PM

I can't add friends after I verified my account so I don't have to put the capcha to add a friend.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Jane Suh on 2/18/2009 2:08:36 PM

Hi I'm using facebook right now. I'm also blind. I can't add friends on facebook though. I verified my account so is not to put the audio capcha. But, I can't add friends. It worked fine before I verified my account. Now when I press enter on add friends, It says loading and doesn't load.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Susan Buckingham [http://www.s-buckingham.supanet.com/] on 2/8/2009 1:49:57 PM

Further to my previous comment, I think I have worked out how to use Face Book with Supernova 9. I went back to a Tech Support e-mail from ages ago and realised I had forgotten that L Ctrl+Shift and then R or L cursor keys takes you either from Link to Link or Text to Text. I haven't got it quite right yet though...!

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Susan Buckingham [http://www.s-buckingham.supanet.com/] on 1/20/2009 2:52:51 PM

This is very interesting. On the GH (Graham Hancock) message boards, there was a thread about Face Book. A sighted friend helped me to join last week, but during the last few days when starting to try to use it, I found that Supernova 9 Auto Virtual Focus would not work on the text on my own page, although it will read the links. Another poster did some research and found this blog, so I sm so pleased to know that it is not my ancient person lack of computer skills that caused the problem!!I contacted Dolphin, but was not able to explain the problem properly. I will contact them again tomorrow.

I will keep watching this page. Thanks again. In the boxes below this area I have put my web site address - it is very much a work in progress however!

Susan Buckingham

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Sofie Van Grieken on 12/31/2008 3:15:13 AM

I use the Dutch version of Facebook with a screenreader (Hal-Supernova). I am really unsatisfied about it. Many links do'nt work. De captcha's are not understandable at all. I'm finally registered with help of my husband, but now I can't do anything. I can add friends to my list and more or less read their information, but I can't send them messages and I can't read what they are sending me. So also the Dutch version needs more usability!

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Luca Davanzo [http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=45818546321&ref=nf] on 12/17/2008 5:32:51 PM

There is also an Italian language group on facebook asking for better facebook accessibility; see link below.
Main problems encountered from non English users are:
1) audio captcha are not translated
2) poorly labelled links, images and objects
3) some non accessible ajax, ever if using latest screen readers
So please ask for accessibility also for non-english version of facebook

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Caitlin McFeely on 12/2/2008 11:08:45 AM

Thank you all for your feedback about your experience with Facebook. I am in constant contact with Jeff at Facebook and have let him know all of your concerns, which has been a great way to show the presence of the blind community on the site and has helped Jeff pinpoint where to make changes. Keep the feedback coming!! For those that are interested, AFB has a "Cause" on Facebook and we would love for you to join. Feel free to contact me with any other questions or feedback.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Patricia Kepler on 11/28/2008 5:32:37 PM

I am new to Facebook and have been more than a little frustrated. I have the latest version of Jaws, and was able to get registered without a problem, which was a pleasant surprise. I am always appreciative of sites that provide audio caption. I am having trouble with adding friends and navigating through all of the image links. Labeling those links in a friendlier manner would be appreciated.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Ryan Ruiz [http://myspace.com/ryanru] on 11/22/2008 11:06:24 PM

Hi, My wife and myself are both facebook users. I can see but she can't. Facebook is usuable with screen readers no problem but by the time she gets to the desired location on the page she is so numb from link this and forms that to even care anymore.

I found that Placemarkers, forms lists and heading lists is a great help.

if anyone has any great navigation tips, let us know. Facebook is a wonderful site for anyone blind or not.

Ryan.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by shayla springs [http://babygirl] on 8/17/2008 10:01:50 PM

hi

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by shayla springs [http://babygirl] on 8/17/2008 10:00:59 PM

hi what are doing.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by bob Kanish on 7/10/2008 5:37:57 PM

The audio captcha is almost unintelligible. I tried to sign up for a Facebook account today and could not find an audio captcha that I could accurately understand. finally, Facebook let me sign up anyway and verify my email address which worked much better. then when trying to add friends, I was presented with another captcha, but had the option of verifying my account by receiving a text message to my phone. this process was highly accessible and worked on the first try.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Stacy Bleeks [http://www.StacyBleeks.com] on 6/9/2008 2:03:31 AM

I am blind and use FaceBook. The accessibility of the FaceBook interface has improved since I joined the Book.

For the person who wondered what the purpose of FaceBook would be for the blind and visually impaired since they "can't see pictures" etc. This is a valid question with promising answers:

Facebook is more than just sharing pictures. It is a fun way to communicate with others and keep in touch with new friends and touch base with old friends. Sure, each person on Facebook can post and share pictures but that is just a part of Facebook. You can send and receive messages like with email. You can send and receive event invitations to a wide variety of events to many people at once. With Facebook you can also join several groups that might interst you some are silly and some are more serious and all are accessible.

If you are out of town or even in the comfort of the glow from your home computer, you can keep up with how your friends are doing and read their status updates to find out how they are feeling or what they are planning etc.
It is amazing how many people you will find on Facebook and, how many people will be able to find you and say "hello oold friend". All of this is available for blind and visually impaired people. The Facebook interface is not perfect for the blind user but it is navigable and with some improvements it will be more enjoyable for everyone.

The Facebook developpers are likely aware of the Web Accessibility guidelines layed out by www.w3c.org and many other references to making the Web accessible for all.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it is now possible for a blind person to register for Facebook without sighted help. It was so close before until, that is, until you got to the part in the registration where you had to input the characters hidden within a scrambled image. Since these characters were image based it was impossible for a screen reader, which relies on straight text, to identify the image.

The audio captia alternatigve is definitley an improvement and will allow blind and visually impaired computer users to independantly register for the Book.

The audio captia sound, however, is crappy. I don't know why Facebook has to make the audio so difficult to hear. I think the audio characters don't need to be almost scrambled like the visual version. I mean, the point of this registration feature is so that automated Web bots can't go sign up a million accounts. In other words, a real life person has to jump through the "identify the characters in the scrambled image" or now,"identify the characters being spoken in the audio captia".

You can find the above post along with other blind related accessibility goodness at www.StacyBleeks.com

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Peter Wendes [http://www.zenmachine.co.uk] on 5/17/2008 3:47:18 AM

The ancient oriental strategy game of Go for the blind.
We have pioneered the introduction of the game of Go for the blind in the UK, and have run hands-on workshops using tactile sets for both adults and children. Is this something the AFB would be interested in?
Peter and Sheila Wendes
Zen Machine: www.zenmachine.co.uk

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by myra brodsky on 2/16/2008 8:59:33 PM

what is facebook. what's it's purpose. how can blind people view photographs, or send their own in
.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Caitlin McFeely on 2/7/2008 5:56:54 PM

Brent, Thanks for letting us know about your Facebook experience. I'll be bringing your comments to Jeff's attention and hope we can get these things fixed soon.

Re: Thanks, Facebook!
Posted by Brent Harding on 2/7/2008 5:20:05 PM

Hi, I've been on Facebook for several months now. I had to find someone to help me sign up at that time. I'm not sure if this is still the case when encountering the Captcha, but when I'd encounter one to add a friend sometimes, I only got the option to use an Audio version 1 out of 6 or 7 attempts. A new problem that was introduced awhile ago now is the fact that now friends' email addresses, if they made them available on their profile, are displayed in a graphic that Jaws won't read. I hope they find a way to make that accessible again.

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