Accessible Transit App

[rob_giggey]

Some people that attended the recent transit #opendata day event asked what the city might like to see done with it's data, and there was a reference to billigual apps and ones that would help with accessibility.  I just got a note from their technology lead referencing this app he found from Spain.  It features tools that would help blind and disabled rider and he thought it would be great to see something like that here in ottawa.  http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/gadgetbox/app-eases-public-transit-woes-blind-disabled-riders-841491

 

I also believe the feed includes attributes such as low-floor buses, which would probably also be useful to know, and something I didn't see in the one described.

 

I thought I saw something similar for Toronto in the demos that were given, but I couldn't find anything. 

 

Thanks, thought it was a good idea that I could share to see what folks had to say.

[Larry Dunkelman]

This is definitely something to think about.  A few comments -

1. I think (or at least I was told) that ALL the buses in Ottawa are now "low-floor" (is that true?)
2. I am actually thinking about providing "route guidance" on the screen - but it could also be done with voice like a car's GPS.  The one thing I worry about is GPS accuracy, and the app "going to sleep". But perhaps these could be worked out.

..Larry

[rob_giggey]

 

I was able to confirm that all buses are now low-floor (they also all have A/C now).

[chucks]

I'm both an iOS developer, and a low-vision user, so the subject of accessible transit apps is important to me.

There's so much natural overlap between the transit riding population and those who benefit from accessible apps.  For that reason, I wish more transit app developers would think more closely about accessibility when they make these apps.  

I haven't tried every transit app that works with the OC Transpo data, but of those I've tried, many will use text sizes that are too small or colour choices that lack sufficient contrast.  Case in point, the official OC Transpo app shows all bus arrival times in the smallest text size used anywhere in the app, and in some cases using cyan text on white background.

I don't use a screen reader day to day, but know how to test it out after making some of my own apps VoiceOver compatible.  Although I'm not part of the actual target user population for VoiceOver, I'd say based on my testing that all the apps I tried had a ways to go before they'd be nice to use for a blind user.

On a related note, if anyone wanted some more specific feedback on how a particular transit app works (or doesn't) for low-vision users, I'd be happy to take a look and provide feedback.

[rob_giggey]

Thanks for the comments Chucks.  that's good feedback and a nice offer.  The city is definitely interested in helping make apps more accessible.   If there's any documents or websites I could point to from the City's OpenData site just let me know and I'll gladly post/link to them.

 

Thank-you,