Notes # 26: Can I Use Foldable Phones?

Personal Notes

Let’s talk about football again! On Saturday, there was a derby match between Trabzonspor and Galatasaray. Galatasaray’s head coach, Okan Buruk, was sent off with a red card in the final minutes of the game. According to his explanation, while he was objecting to a decision, he shouted, “Don’t you see? / Görmüyor musun?”. However, the referee heard this as “Are you blind? / Kör müsün?” and showed him a red card. I don’t know the exact dialogue; I’m just relaying what I’ve read. And in our case, the exact reality isn't the main point.

My discussion point is this: Is saying 'Are you blind?' really sufficient for a red card? Is it really like 'f-word'?

Actually, as a partially-blind person, I am not offended by “so-called” Okan Buruk’s words. Blindness is simply the name of my condition and should not be used as an insult. However, I am afraid that showing red cards for phrases like 'Are you blind?' might trigger oversensitivity in society. Because in its essence, our fight is not against words, we are striving for real action.

News

The iPhone Duo’s Design Could Be A Major Issue For Lefties

Source: Consequence

The iPhone Duo was announced as Apple’s first foldable smartphone. In Turkey, we mostly discussed its price, but there is also a major UI and ergonomics issue. The Duo is wider than a standard smartphone even when folded. Normally, lefties can reach the controls on the right panel with fingers other than their thumb. However, this new layout presents a more challenging experience due to its wider frame. Also, placing Touch ID on the right side and removing Face ID makes using these features nearly impossible for left-handed users. These also affect people with muscular or motor impairments who are struggling to use right side of their bodies. We are waiting for an accessibility solution from Apple.

Digital Networks Act Needs To Act On Accessible Communication

Source: European Disability Forum

On Notes # 23, I mentioned why video relay and text relay communication services are so important for the Deaf. In that article, I highlighted Estonia’s lack of implementation, but as we can see here, this issue is not limited to Estonia. According to research, "only 9 Member States enable persons with disabilities to contact emergency services through video relay services on a 24/7 basis, and 6 Member States enable 24/7 emergency access through text relay services." Knowing how critical it is for deaf callers to communicate with sign or text in real time during an emergency, the European Disability Forum aims to guarantee that the Digital Networks Act includes provisions ensuring video and text relay services are always available.

Eighth Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report

Source: Level Access

In my opinion, accessibility is not a technical issue; it is a governance challenge. That’s why AI is not the magic wand we are searching for. Let me cite a paragraph from Level Access’s SODAR 2026 study, and please look at the “In Detail” section below for the other key takeaways: “What our findings highlight, however, is that the adoption of new technology alone does not create accessibility. The organizations realizing the greatest value from AI are the ones pairing new tools with mature practices, strong governance, effective training, cross-functional communication, and a culture where accessibility is considered during all aspects of the digital experience life cycle.”

Inspirations

Foldable Phones And Accessibility: Benefits, Barriers, Weight, Care, And Cost

Source: Access Ability

If you are a disabled person and want to buy a foldable phone, you have to read this article. Sheri Byrne-Haber (disabled) wrote a detailed analysis of the advantages and risks of foldable phones. While their large screen and the possibility of hands-free positioning seem advantageous for partially sighted people and many other disability groups, foldable devices need specific hand gestures and two-handed action most of the time. For people with muscular limitations, these can create risks and challenges. Since this is a new technology, it comes along with new design breakpoints for websites and apps. So, the speed of screen reader responses and magnification accuracy should be tested in detail especially when layout changes.

Food Allergies: When Search UX Becomes Dangerous

Source: Anna E. Cook

Anna E. Cook explains very clearly how food allergies are connected to UX. For example, Amazon often shows bestsellers or similar items inside search results. Because of this, when you search for a gluten-free product, gluten-containing items can also appear in the results. If a user searches for a gluten-free item, they naturally trust a trillion-dollar shopping platform to bring the correct results.

Senior-Focused Ride Accessibility Features

Source: Trend Hunter

Uber is generally a great example of digital accessibility with its mobile app and accessibility features, including a simplified interface. But one of the most unique aspects of Uber is adding inclusivity to its content and services as well. For example, the article mentions Uber’s pilot study on the "Easy Entry Vehicle" designation for cars that do not require a high step when boarding. Additionally, you can notify drivers about mobility aids, such as a cane or walker. This is an example of the importance of adding an inclusivity layer on top of WCAG compliance.

In Detail: 5 Key Takeaways From SODAR 2026

Read this article on its own page

Level Access’s SODAR 2026 report includes some very important insights for the future of accessibility. I summarized the 5 points that caught my attention the most below. Make sure to check out the report.

• Our costs won’t go down. AI usage has increased, and 22% of organizations say they need less manual testing. However, only 6% say they are spending less money on accessibility. Up until now, we didn’t have time for other critical issues because of the time spent on testing. Now, it is easier for us to focus on human judgment and connect usability with accessibility. That is why accessibility is not an area where we can cut costs yet. It’s just that we can finally focus on areas we couldn't prioritize before.
• The SDLC sequence might change. While 61% of participants say they develop faster with AI, the speed-up rate in QA is only 39%. Not just for accessibility, but across the software world, the cycle we call the SDLC might change.
• Without legal action, the urgency fades. While 57% of participants in the US expect legal risks in the next year, this rate is only 34% in the EU. Not seeing real cases under the EAA seems to have an impact here. If an accessibility law is passed, all preparations must be ready and enforcement should follow immediately so that organizations feel the risk and take action.
• Accessibility stays on paper. There are issues not only at the legal level, but within organizations themselves. 91% of respondents say their organizations have an accessibility policy, but only 60% say that policy has a major impact on their operations. The gap between theory and practice harms the field. Maybe we should focus on a workable policy rather than a perfect one at the start.
• Is the problem training or quality? While more than 90% of organizations offer accessibility training, only 49% rate these trainings as effective. Accessibility training and curricula are much more important than we think.