Review of Kindle apps
Kindle apps
Reviewed 12 Aug 2012
·
Average score 77%
Summary
Kindle apps and devices come in many flavours and it is important to check how accessible the hardware device is before adding the ereader app as the latter will be dependent on the built in support for screen reader and keyboard access. There have been many articles about Kindle accessibility including <a href="http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw140602">Using VoiceOver with the Accessible Amazon iOS Kindle App</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201454230">Talkback</a>
Detailed Results
| # | Test | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Built in accessibility checks | 67% | The apps offer font size changes, style options and light levels with high contrast mode and option of another colour background such as sepia. |
| 2 | Application works with External Assistive Technologies | 67% | Built in screen reader if on the smart phone or tablet such as Voice Over on iPhone and iPad or TalkBack on the Android. TTS maybe available if the book being read allows for audio to be included. |
| 3 | Text or other alternatives for image elements. | 67% | Menu systems are read by built in screen readers on smart phones and tablets. Book cover titles are read but no description of the images is provided. |
| 4 | Keyboard / Alternative input with focus | 67% | Keyboard accessible via the device used and works with search. The expectation is that touch will be used and other gestures for navigation. Switch access is possible depending on the device used. |
| 5 | Labels for objects, fields or controls | 67% | Depending on the screen reader and the device being used most labels for important elements are read correctly but addition features may be missed. |
| 6 | Audio alerts have visual cues | 33% | Audio alerts are available with screen reader use but there are no other visual cues other than page and menu changes. |
| 7 | Alternatives for Video / Animation | 100% | Video was not included in any of the ebooks tested |
| 8 | Media events offer user control | 100% | Media events did not appear in any of the ebooks tested on the Kindle apps |
| 9 | Textual Information for screen reader | 67% | Built in screen readers could access menus and text but there was no additional text to speech for the particular ebooks evaluated. |
| 10 | Keyboard shortcut keys offered | 67% | Gesture shortcuts are available and access to a keyboard is possible |
| 11 | Save user preferences for style and zoom | 100% | User preferences for style and zoom can be saved. |
| 12 | Timed events can be altered | 100% | Timed events are not available for this ereader |
| 13 | Change colours and contrast | 100% | The Kindle app is set to default black text on white. Contrast levels are dependent on the device but generally good with options for sepia and white on black background. |
| 14 | Uniform and standardised presentation | 100% | The layout and presentation is uniform and standardised, clear and logical. |
| 15 | Documentation | 67% | Help documentation is provided and easy to read with support provided by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_kin_gat_support?nodeId=200127470">Amazon</a> |