We have enhanced accessibility features in the iOS app, including VoiceOver and Dynamic Type

note is working on improvements to enhance accessibility.

Previously, we announced improvements to screen reader support when browsing on a web browser.

This time, we have made seven accessibility improvements to the note iOS app, including VoiceOver and Dynamic Type (ver 5.8.0 and later).

iOS, iPadOS) What is VoiceOver?
A screen reader built into iOS. Even if you cannot see the screen, you can use the device by having the content displayed on the screen read aloud through gesture operations. You can set or change this from the "Accessibility" section in the Settings app.

iOS, iPadOS) What is Dynamic Type?
A feature that allows you to adjust the font size across the entire system. If an app supports it, the text size within the app will change according to the selected text size setting. You can change this from "Display & Brightness" in the Settings app.

1. Alternative text can now be set for images within articles

When editing a text article, you can now set alternative text for images inserted into the article. Tap the image, select "alt" at the far right of the edit menu, and enter the alternative text for the image. When you tap [OK], the set alternative text will be displayed at the bottom right of the image.

While VoiceOver can read elements such as text, buttons, and input forms, it cannot understand and read the content of images. However, if there is text that serves as a substitute for the image, reading it aloud allows people with visual impairments to understand "what this image is and what it is intended for." Please try setting alt text.

2. Insertion and deletion of header images can now be read by VoiceOver

Before the improvement, the header image area was not focused, so header images could not be inserted or deleted. With this improvement, focus is now applied even when VoiceOver is turned on, allowing for the insertion and deletion of header images.

3. Hashtag deletion can now be read by VoiceOver

Previously, when using VoiceOver, the focus did not land on each hashtag item, making it impossible to delete hashtags. Now, on the article publishing settings screen, you can delete hashtags while VoiceOver is turned on.

We have also improved the focus for hashtags within "Topics / Contests".

4. Easier ON/OFF operation for account settings and notification settings screens with VoiceOver

Although it was possible to operate with VoiceOver before, it would read out everything including the toggle button, such as "When followed, toggle button, on," making it difficult to understand whether the current status was ON or OFF. With this improvement, it has become simpler, such as "When followed, on," making it easier to understand.

5. Floating menus can now be closed with VoiceOver when creating articles or selecting badges

We have fixed the issue so that you can return to the original screen even when VoiceOver is turned on, for the "Create" button fixed at the bottom of the app and the menu screen displayed when selecting a badge on the badge list screen.

6. Made text within the app easier to read

We have added partial support for "Dynamic Type," an accessibility feature in iOS and iPadOS. If you have set a larger text size on your device, the text within the app will be easier to read when viewing the screens listed below. We will continue to expand this support in the future.

・"Home" screen
・"Discover" screen
・"Account" screen

7. Hashtags can now be confirmed with a space on the publishing settings screen (ver 5.9.0 and later)

Previously, when entering a hashtag, you had to tap the [Done] button to confirm it. From version 5.9.0 onwards, we have changed it so that you can confirm a hashtag by tapping the [Space] button, aligning it with the web browser version.

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Moving forward, we will focus on improving accessibility not only for the web browser version but also for the app. While we have made improvements to the iOS app this time, we also plan to improve the operation of the Android screen reader feature, "TalkBack," for the Android app.

We are also looking for your feedback! If you have any thoughts on app accessibility, such as "I would like it to be more like this" or "It would be helpful if I could do this," we would appreciate it if you could tweet using #noteapp or post an article on note (if we implement the improvement, we would like to embed and introduce your article).

note will continue to work on improving accessibility while sincerely listening to the feedback we receive.

For improvements and requests regarding features, click here
For other inquiries, click here

▼ We are also looking for those who would like to provide feedback toward improving accessibility