Reddit promises accessibility improvements for moderators in its mobile apps

Reddit has announced plans to implement "accessibility improvements" to its official mobile apps, specifically targeting moderator tools.

The move comes after concerns were raised about accessibility issues faced by moderators using Reddit apps, especially with the upcoming closure of popular third-party apps such as Apollo due to changes in API pricing. The updates, which will be rolled out by July 1, are aimed at improving features such as the moderation queue and ModMail messaging system on the Android and iOS platforms.

Despite Reddit's efforts, the announcement has received mixed reactions from the community. Some moderators and accessibility advocates argue that the changes fall short of meeting the needs of disabled users, who rely on the accessibility features provided by third-party apps.

They argue that disabled users should be allowed to continue using these apps until Reddit's own apps offer comparable accessibility features. Concerns have also been raised about the delayed availability of certain features, questioning why they were not prioritized as blockers to ensure a smoother transition.

While Reddit has invited moderators to assist with testing the new features, questions remain regarding the nature of their involvement and whether it will be compensated work.