07-26-2018, 10:15 PM
New accessibility improvements now available for Skype
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/new-accessibility-improvements-now-available-for-skype.jpg" width="312" height="206" title="" alt="" /></div><div><div><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/new-accessibility-improvements-now-available-for-skype.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted" /></div>
<p>A few months ago, we provided an <a href="https://blogs.skype.com/news/2018/03/16/improving-skype-accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a> on our continued commitment to making Skype accessible. We are very grateful for the feedback you’ve given us—it continues to be an essential and impactful part of our work. We listened and made changes to make Skype more accessible for everyone.</p>
<p>Below are just some of the recent accessibility improvements available in Skype version 8:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improved navigation now makes the app easier to use. Navigation is smoother and takes a more natural left-to-right and top-to-bottom path.</li>
<li>Additional information about messages that are sent and received is now displayed. For example, we now announce when messages are sent and when messages you attempt to send have failed.</li>
<li>A number of new keyboard shortcuts make it easier to start a chat, answer a call, and navigate within Skype. Visit Skype support for a full <a href="https://support.skype.com/faq/FA12025/what-are-hotkeys-and-how-do-i-use-them-in-skype" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list of shortcuts</a>.</li>
<li>Accessibility functionality was rolled out across all platforms. Skype version 8 is available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and most recently iPad.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to <a href="https://www.skype.com/upgrade-skype/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upgrade</a> now—only Skype version 8 will be available after <a href="https://blogs.skype.com/news/2018/07/16/upgrade-to-the-latest-version-of-skype-for-desktop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">September 1, 2018</a>.</p>
<p>We continually work to improve our technology to ensure it is accessible and empowers every person and every organization to achieve more. Please share your comments and feedback via Microsoft Accessibility <a href="https://microsoftaccessibility.uservoice.com/forums/307429-microsoft-accessibility-feedback" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UserVoice</a> or contact the <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/disability-answer-desk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disability Answer Desk</a> for real-time support via phone, chat, or ASL videophone. If you are an early adopter and would like to participate in early preview releases, please consider joining the <a href="https://www.skype.com/en/insider/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skype Insider</a> Community.</p>
</div>
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/new-accessibility-improvements-now-available-for-skype.jpg" width="312" height="206" title="" alt="" /></div><div><div><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/new-accessibility-improvements-now-available-for-skype.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted" /></div>
<p>A few months ago, we provided an <a href="https://blogs.skype.com/news/2018/03/16/improving-skype-accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a> on our continued commitment to making Skype accessible. We are very grateful for the feedback you’ve given us—it continues to be an essential and impactful part of our work. We listened and made changes to make Skype more accessible for everyone.</p>
<p>Below are just some of the recent accessibility improvements available in Skype version 8:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improved navigation now makes the app easier to use. Navigation is smoother and takes a more natural left-to-right and top-to-bottom path.</li>
<li>Additional information about messages that are sent and received is now displayed. For example, we now announce when messages are sent and when messages you attempt to send have failed.</li>
<li>A number of new keyboard shortcuts make it easier to start a chat, answer a call, and navigate within Skype. Visit Skype support for a full <a href="https://support.skype.com/faq/FA12025/what-are-hotkeys-and-how-do-i-use-them-in-skype" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list of shortcuts</a>.</li>
<li>Accessibility functionality was rolled out across all platforms. Skype version 8 is available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and most recently iPad.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to <a href="https://www.skype.com/upgrade-skype/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upgrade</a> now—only Skype version 8 will be available after <a href="https://blogs.skype.com/news/2018/07/16/upgrade-to-the-latest-version-of-skype-for-desktop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">September 1, 2018</a>.</p>
<p>We continually work to improve our technology to ensure it is accessible and empowers every person and every organization to achieve more. Please share your comments and feedback via Microsoft Accessibility <a href="https://microsoftaccessibility.uservoice.com/forums/307429-microsoft-accessibility-feedback" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UserVoice</a> or contact the <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/disability-answer-desk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disability Answer Desk</a> for real-time support via phone, chat, or ASL videophone. If you are an early adopter and would like to participate in early preview releases, please consider joining the <a href="https://www.skype.com/en/insider/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skype Insider</a> Community.</p>
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