Summer is ending and, in the tech world, it’s update season. Windows 10 came out in late July; iOS 9 will be available to Apple’s smartphones and tablets on September 16; and we’re expecting major new releases of the Mac and Android operating systems in the coming months. Individual applications get updates, too, which can improve or degrade accessibility to assistive technology.

At the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, patrons often ask us whether it’s a good idea to update to the latest new software release. Many of us remember an update that had dramatic, negative consequences, such as the release of iOS 8, which made BARD difficult to navigate with Voiceover. For those of us who use assistive technology such as magnification, speech, braille or switch controls, it’s especially important to do some research before we update, so we’ll know if the update we’re considering will change or break our access to the tools we need. We hope this post helps you think through your options and make the best decision you can.

Questions to ask yourself

• Am I happy with the software I have? New features are exciting, but remember: they’ll be there waiting when you’re ready to update, whether you do so in five minutes or five months. If you’re generally happy with the way your computer or mobile device is working for you right now, you might decide to wait and see how other people fare with an update before you get yours. If you can’t think of a particular feature you’re excited to use right away, waiting may be your best strategy.
• Do I have time to slow down and learn about changes to my device right now? Updates are all about change, and change takes work. You’ll need to set time aside to study and learn how to use new features, and the things that are second nature to you now—from how icons and menus look to the gestures you used to get around on a tablet—may be different once you update. I’ve had the best update experiences on vacations and slow weekends; and I’ve had some memorably bad ones during business trips and right before important deadlines.
• Do I have another device for getting things done if this update goes south? Owning or having access to another computer or mobile device while you update another is helpful in a couple of ways. It gives you time to transition to updated software at your own pace; and ensures that, if updated software is glitchy or hard to learn, you can use that backup device to do the tech tasks (like paying the bills or finishing assignments) that can’t wait. If you don’t own a second device, our library is a great place to use an accessible computer, iPad or iPod Touch; just make sure you know how to access those important tasks from a public computer, and keep any important personal documents stored on a flash drive or cloud-based service like Google Drive or Dropbox so that you can get to them no matter what’s happening with your update.

If you’re excited about an update, have time to dedicate to learning what’s new and have a backup device on hand in case your update path gets rocky, it’s time to do some research. You’ll want to know whether the update can be done without sighted assistance, how long it takes, and how it might affect the assistive technology you use. Thanks to the wonders of the Web, far-flung correspondents from the worldwide community of assistive tech users write about what’s great, what’s wrong and what to consider when new software is released. Taking the time to tap into this information will help you avoid problematic updates and approach favorably received ones with wisdom and confidence.

A web search that includes the name of the update you want and the assistive and mainstream technology you’re using is a good place to start. For example, I might do a search for "Windows 10 and NVDA." Remember that individual applications and assistive features can also be affected by updates, so one search might not cover everything you need to know. Even after a thorough web search, it’s probably a good idea to wait a week or two (at least) after an update and then check out some assistive technology websites to see what people are saying about their update experiences. Here are a few we use:

• AFB Access World is a monthly publication that covers tech for people with low or no vision. Its July issue has an in-depth review of Windows 10.
• AppleVis is a community-powered hub created by and for people with visual impairments that covers all things Apple. Visit this site to read in-depth coverage of Apple’s updates to the Mac and iOS operating systems, as well as updates to individual apps.
• Blind Bargains is a blog that carries breaking news in the world of assistive tech, along with a weekly podcast that summarizes the biggest AT stories. Contributors cover Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, as well as specialized note-takers, book readers and other tech.
• Inclusive Android is a community of Android users with disabilities who post news and reviews about Google’s mobile operating system.
• The NFB Access Technology Blog highlights new technologies with a focus on accessibility features for people with low or no vision, including major software updates and overviews

It’s also a good idea to check directly with the manufacturer or developer of the magnification software, screen reader, braille display or other assistive tech you use before you upgrade. A quick web search that includes the name of the manufacturer and the product you use will usually turn up the manufacturer’s website, which may have an article posted about the update you have in mind and will certainly have the manufacturer’s contact information should you wish to speak with someone directly.

If you have questions about how BARD will work with a particular update, you can reach out to NLS’s tech support team by emailing NLSDownload@Loc.gov or, if you prefer, call the Andrew Heiskell Library’s assistive technology staff at (212) 621-0627.