Instagram to be made more accessible
It will allow people with visual impairment to hear descriptions of photos through the screen reader
Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
Instagram is introducing two new features to make the social media platform easier for people with visual impairment and make it more accessible.
“With more than 285 million people in the world who have visual impairments, we know there are many people who could benefit from a more accessible Instagram,” states the blog post.
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The photo-sharing app will allow people with visual impairment to hear descriptions of photos through the screen reader. This feature will be enabled for the Feed, Explore and Profile options on the app. The feature uses object recognition technology that generates descriptions of photos for screen readers who when browsing the site/app will be able to hear them too.
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The other feature that the app is also set to introduce custom alternative text that will add a richer description when a user uploads a photo. Users using the screen reading option will then be able to hear the description.
“With more than 285 million people in the world who have visual impairments, we know there are many people who could benefit from a more accessible Instagram,” states the blog post.
Instagram introduces new ‘type mode’ feature in stories
The photo-sharing app will allow people with visual impairment to hear descriptions of photos through the screen reader. This feature will be enabled for the Feed, Explore and Profile options on the app. The feature uses object recognition technology that generates descriptions of photos for screen readers who when browsing the site/app will be able to hear them too.
Instagram testing standalone Direct messaging app
The other feature that the app is also set to introduce custom alternative text that will add a richer description when a user uploads a photo. Users using the screen reading option will then be able to hear the description.