[Stories] More integration of mobile

[sharronrush]

Priority: Medium
Editor's discretion

I appreciate how more mobile examples have been added but it feels like there are still some clear omissions. Realistically, nearly all of these users will use mobile to some extent. This is especially true in these cases:

• Ms. Laitinen uses a screen reader and keyboard support on her browser. She is also extremely like to use an iPhone for things like way-finding and all the multitude of things that improve her access to services like taxis, bus lines, restaurant menus, etc.
• Ms. Kaseem as well is likely to use the mobile capacity extensively. I am not sure why we chose to remove the mobile phone use from Ms. Kaseem's profile but the current description of the mobile device she is using is not clear. It is not a phone (why not?) but is a portable braille notetaker with GPS? This article from the Jergen Institute seems to indicate mobile phones are more widely adopted. It says:

Because of these limitations and the extremely high cost of this specialized hardware, some blind people are abandoning notetakers in favor of laptops and even iOS devices...

• It seems that passing or incidental mention of mobile use could be made in nearly all of the profiles, even if it is not the focus. Mention of mobile as a viable alternative could be made for example for Ms Olsen who may get around confusing layouts by reverting to the mobile version (I know someone w/ADD who always does that when possible). And/or Mr. Jones could occasionally use voice input and touch for some functions; etc

I do not feel strongly about these suggestions but since the question is posed as how current the example are and given the ubiquitous use of mobile, it seems it could be mentioned more often.

[nitedog]

Thanks @sharronrush, this is indeed the question.

1. The mobile use was removed from Ms. Kaseem because some people thought it was a stretch, even though it is based on a real user (albeit quite a power user, which I guys provokes some readers). I've added it to Mr. Sands instead so that we have a mobile example.

2. Adding mobile throughout could certainly work, but what would the noise-to-benefit ratio be? In support of trying to reduce and tersify text, I opted to only mentioning things that are directly relevant. I'm happy to take a different approach if that is what the group wants.

[sharronrush]

No, as I said this is not a strong view, only one that occurred to me when prompted by the question about how current the examples are. Nearly everyone uses mobile everyday and I was just struck by how infrequently it is mentioned here. I appreciate and share your concern about "noise" but might suggest a few ways to add a reference here and there without too much additional noise. For example:

• Mr Lee: (this small change would not require any additional explanation. )
  Current: As he frequently does, he is spending an evening shopping online.
  Suggestion: He often shops online using either a desktop computer or a mobile device, depending on what is convenient at the time.

• Mr Jones:
  Current ending: ...but the publisher intends to upgrade the CMS to one with full keyboard support, especially since other employees found that keyboard support was easier on their hands.
  Suggested addition to current ending: In the meantime, Mr. Jones tries to use the voice input capacity of his mobile phone but it is somewhat prone to error and not as convenient for him.

• Ms. Martinez
  Add something like this to the first introductory paragraph, with no additional changes to the text.
  She uses text messaging and chat functions to communicate with instructors and classmates.

• Ms. Laitenin
  Currently there are two bullets that describe how she uses "her computer and the web"
  Suggest to add a bullet that says simply : Mobile phone with voice input and output for personal interactions, public transportation options, restaurant menus and more.
  No change to the remaining text.

These are just examples of how it might be made more realistic since i do think that everyone is using mobile these days. Thanks for considering and I am serious about it being for your discretion, I think this is a tremendously enlightening resource.

[bakkenb]

I agree with this. Mobile is more and more prevalent (I know this is nothing new to our group) because it is easier and more intuitive to use. I think it is safe to say that the perception of mobile use is an inclination of a power user, which I believe is not the case anymore. My parents, who will only use mobile devices to access content do it because they don't have a desktop/laptop or know how to efficiently use a desktop/laptop.

[nitedog]

I do not disagree with any of what is being said. I also understand that this is a suggestion for editor's discretion but the editor needs more input to address this issue one way or the other.

My concern is that, if we mention "mobile" in the story, then I think it should also be relevant. For example, "Mr Lee ... uses either a desktop computer or mobile device" (paraphrasing suggestion from @sharronrush above) would raise the expectation of the reader that they will also learn about how Mr Lee uses the mobile and any barriers he may encounter. This means adding more text to describe this, and cross-links. Or we risk disappointing the reader ("why mention mobile if they don't explain it any further?").

[nitedog]

Decision during EOWG meeting on 31 March 2017: integrate some use of mobile along the lines of the suggestions above by @sharronrush.

[nitedog]

Implemented the following changes:

• Mr Lee - using tablet computer. Rationale: highlighting variety of devices but also because the rest of the text talks about customized style sheets, which I think would be quite difficult on a mobile phone.
• Mr Jones - using mobile phone to dictate text and voice recognition software to control computer. Rationale: I cannot confirm that voice input capacity on mobile phones is more prone to errors.
• Ms Martinez - "She likes to use text messaging and chat to communicate with her instructors and classmates.". Rationale: minor edits for smoother flow.
• Ms Laitinen - "Ms. Laitinen uses her desktop computer and mobile phone to access the Web. On her computer she uses". Rationale: she would probably use touch commands rather than voice input, but that would need explanation.
• Ms Olsen - "Today, the accessible online library catalogue of the school enables her to find the right information without any assistance at any time and from any device - her mobile phone, tablet, or laptop".

I'm not completely comfortable with these edits because I feel they tease the reader - start talking about mobile and get them curious in how someone with a disabilities uses a mobile device but then never really explain it. I would appreciate other perspectives on this.

[yatil]

We had major changes to the stories between the start of this issue and now. Is this still relevant?

[sharronrush]

Thanks all, this is sufficiently resolved.