Easier-To-Use Mobiles I What’S New in Training I Smarter Switches I Apple’S Game Changer I Rethink at Access to Work

01 Front cover A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 17:48 Page 1 Accessible IT at work Issue 79 Autumn 2010 Easier-to-use mobiles I What’s new in training I Smarter switches I Apple’s game changer I Rethink at Access to Work 03 Contents A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 17:54 Page 3 contents Editorial 4 Tipping the balance John Lamb asks whether government cuts ISSN 1352-7665 will undermine accessibility Contacts Feedback 5 Editor and Publisher • Why UK web standard got John Lamb the green light [email protected] • Volunteer is out of work • You have done us proud Production Editor Mandie Beckley • Sunseeker’s wheelchair [email protected] News 7-13 Circulation Manager Mobiles 23-24 Jeremy Mumford • Access to Work cuts list of approved [email protected] products Speed diallers • Apple changes game with 3GS Why mobile phones designed for older Contributors Alistair Brown • Vaizey to unveil action plan in October and disabled people are racing ahead Kevin Carey • Games to help stroke survivors Georgina Firth communicate Briefing 27-28 Dan Jellinek • Firm looks for testers with autism Ron Kirby • Students struggle to access grant forms At the flick of a switch Dave Sawdon • Three quarters of Home Access grants Switches may be simple to use but the still unclaimed technology inside them is getting more Published by John Lamb Media Ltd complex Pellingbrook House Workspace 14-15 Lewes Road Resources 29-33 Scaynes Hill Haywards Heath • Coda eases job hunting West Sussex RH17 7NG • Texting at a stroke Tel: 01444 831226 • Environmental interface • Fresh look for Dragon Printed by Micropress • Flexyfoot for a firmer footing 27 Norwich Road • Mindjet maps to Microsoft Halesworth • Making music with Skoog Suffolk IP19 8BX Ability is a founder member of the British Assistive Technology Association The visual basics How charity St Dunstan’s meets the IT needs of blind service people We are grateful for the support of the following sponsors: Training 17-20 Carey On 34 Best in Class …and the living’s been easy A look at the the issues that surround In a cost cutting climate regulation saves learning how to use assistive systems money now, says Kevin Carey www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 3 04 Editorial A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 17:57 Page 4 editorial Tipping the balance n October 1 the Equality Act replaced the Disability Discrimination Act and eight other pieces of legislation to do with discrimination. The Ochange is likely to make it easier for disabled people to claim reasonable adjustments such as an accessible website from companies selling goods and services. It will no longer be necessary to show that the company’s practice makes it ‘impossible or unreasonably difficult’ to access the service. The test will be whether the practice places the disabled person at a substantial disadvantage. In addition, the Act says that organisations cannot wait until a disabled person wants to use their services, but must think in advance about what people with a range of impairments might reasonably need. It should also be more straightforward to claim technology to use at work. John Lamb asks whether The Equality Act makes clear that an organisation required to make a government cuts will reasonable adjustment is not entitled to ask a disabled person to pay any of the undermine accessibility costs of complying with the Act. Although the new law should make it easier to bring cases to a tribunal, the Government wants people to make use of alternative dispute resolution as a quicker and cheaper means of resolving disputes than the courts. That dispute resolution may be required sooner rather than later, because on the same day as the Act came in, the Department for Work and Pensions made radical changes to Access to Work, the scheme that funds employees’ assistive technology. The number of products that will be funded by Access to Work was dramatically cut as part of a review of the office equipment that employers might be reasonably expected to pay for. Desktop computers, voice activation software and ergonomic chairs and desks are among scores of pieces of equipment that will no longer be paid for by the Government in a move that, in effect, redraws the definition of a reasonable adjustment. It is true there has been no change to the Access to Work budget yet, although it is hard to believe that the cut backs won’t produce massive savings. And it is certainly not unreasonable to expect employers to supply things such as voice recognition software that are cheaply available or come free with a computer system. On the other hand the new regime may reduce the employment prospects of disabled people by making it more expensive to employ them. It may deter companies from hiring disabled people altogether and lead to accusations of discrimination. It is a delicate balancing act: weighing organisations’ obligations against what it is reasonable for the state to pay. Wherever the arguments come to rest, it is vital that those who need assistive technology should get it regardless of who foots the bill. I 4 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 05 Feedback A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 17:59 Page 5 feedback Why UK web standard 10 million Britons over the got the green light age of 65 [of whom five Your last edition of Ability (issue 78, million are disabled] and for Summer 2010) was interesting as the seven million disabled always, but it contained an people of working age. important error. Ron Kirby The article about the Phoneability forthcoming BS8878 standard for web accessibility says: “Work on an Sunseekers’ earlier version was stopped at the wheelchair beginning of 2009 when the Here’s an idea: why aren’t European Standards Agency (CEN) One way of getting the accessibility message across there wheelchairs in place at halted development of web standards resorts that have the in a bid to get common ones across Volunteer is out of work following: Europe. I have been a member of IT Can Help and I Tank tracks, so much easier to get “The ban was lifted after it became RNIB for over two-and-a-half years now, across the sand obvious that member states would not be but have had little work related to visiting I Inflatable sides with secure self righting able to ‘harmonise’ their standards.” clients and helping the blind or partially additions so that these chairs can wheel But this was not the reason. sighted with their computer problems. directly into the sea or pool The standardisation rules state that a I have the time but no work through I Parasol slot or cotton covers so there’s member may not continue the these two organizations so I am appealing protection from the sun development of a national standard for an to you to let your readers know about I An alarm button or whistle just in case area if a European standard is under these services. I Get rid of the horrid sweaty plastic seat development for the same area – this Alistair Brown and replace with cool hard wearing makes very good sense as everyone benefits mesh that’s breezier in hotter climates? from harmonisation. You have done us proud On honeymoon this year in the In this case CEN was concerned that The article on assisted living Maldives I saw one woman in a BS8878 may have conflicted with the (Collaboration is the key to assisted living, wheelchair. I followed up the idea that output of standards mandate 376 or may Ability issue 78, p13) is an excellent then formed with a few people with have introduced unique national feature. It reads really well. Many thanks similar confines and the suggestion went requirements in the UK (ie something from me and all those involved as down a storm. They’re now waiting for other than WCAG 2.0). volunteers in the project. You have done something to happen. Once it was understood that BS8878 us proud. So, we wrote to all the wheelchair was only providing guidance and that it Experts working across the field of manufacturers and have only had one referenced WCAG 2.0 for the technical disabled and older people have called for a ‘courteous’ reply. The mission seems requirements, it became clear that the so- national overall coherent plan to develop somewhat dead now. Perhaps you can called standstill procedure did not apply fully integrated systems and services which help. and the work could continue. meet their needs. We want no money or fame from this, Just about everyone working in this Without such a plan this fragmentary just a better deal for those confined to area believes that harmonisation of the situation would worsen year by year for the wheelchairs. It seems so unfair that they technical requirements for web accessibility miss out on nice holidays or even just is essential and is achievable. feeling less of a burden to friends and It would be good if you could correct HAVE YOUR SAY family that they could go on holiday with, the error because “it became obvious that purely because they cannot walk. member states would not be able to Ability welcomes letters and There is money to be tapped in the articles on all issues relating to ‘harmonise’ their standards” is a very disability market for holiday companies IT for disabled people in work, negative and potentially damaging message and they seem to be overlooking this. The education and daily life.

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