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

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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

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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

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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

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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. – and it’s wrong. holiday companies could purchase a Dave Sawdon Contributions can be sent to couple of these chairs and place them at Technical Relations Manager – North the editor, John Lamb, at resorts for use by visitors. IBM Executive Staff / Technical Relations [email protected] Georgina Firth Europe BrainstormHour

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 5 06 Ads A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:02 Page 8

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Access to Work cuts list of approved technology Access to Work, the £80m-a-year scheme think employers shouldn’t provide.” that provides technology and other help to However, some who work with disabled disabled workers, has drastically cut the people are concerned that the change may range of products it will fund. damage their employment prospects. JobcentrePlus, the organisation that “The Access to Work scheme has Nigel Lewis, AbilityNet’s chief executive administers Access to Work, has sent letters always been focused on helping those with to assessors detailing items that will no a disability into or to stay in work,” says at people with cognitive disabilities and longer be covered by grants. Nigel Lewis, chief executive of AbilityNet. mental health problems. Desktop computers, voice activation “I worry that this change to Access to Items no longer paid for by Access to software and ergonomic chairs and desks Work funding, making the employer Work are: are among equipment that will no longer purchase the equipment for a disabled Analogue hearing aids be paid for by the government, but will person, will deter employers from Chairs (except for specialist items) become the responsibility of employers to recruiting disabled people who, with a Desks/extenders/bridges/desk raisers, provide. small adjustment to their computer armrests, gel rests, drawer pedestals “Clearly this is an extensive list and will environment, could be just as productive as Perching stools, footstools remove from grant eligibility a huge any other individual.” Backrests/wedges/back proportion of equipment that we fund The decision to withdraw support for friend/cushions/swivel pads currently,” says one letter from a voice activation or voice recognition Desk top computers, printers, scanners, JobCentrePlus manager. software and voice recorders has also been Screens, screen raisers, keyboards and “This forms part of a current and questioned by organisations representing overlays, mice, monitor arms ongoing reshaping of the programme and dyslexics. Laptops, lapstands there will be other changes to come.” “We are not changing the rules. We are iPads, iMacs The current, overall budget for Access not saying we won’t support dyslexics,” said Voice activated software, voice recorders to Work will not be affected by the change, Mangan. “Voice activation software costs Internet connections and rentals for says Pat Mangan, national Access to Work £64 per package and in most cases is home working manager. Savings will be used to increase already available on computer.” She Fax machines, copiers the numbers of people that can be helped. pointed out that there were procedures for All telephony, headphones, mobile “This is not about cutting spending,” challenging individual decisions. phones Mangan told Ability. “All we are doing is The new policy, unveiled ahead of the GPS devices/sat navs reviewing our services. Our list of standard chancellor’s cuts announcement, follows Document holders/writing slopes equipment has not been changed for five the Labour government’s expansion of General office equipment such as years. There is nothing on the list that we Access to Work with an extra £8m targeted staplers, hole punches etc.

Briefs BCS names finalists Westminster Council: getting West- Five organisations have reached the minster residents online by 2012 BBC unpacks toolkit finals of the British Computer Society’s The BBC is developing an Accessibility Digital Inclusion Awards, which will be UBS backs Ability Toolkit that will allow disabled visitors presented on November 11. They are: Investment bank UBS has renewed its to BBC websites to adjust pages so ITV SignPost: website that features support for Ability by committing to a that they are easier to read. The toolkit children’s stories further year’s sponsorship of the has various themes for people with Proctor and Gamble: an accessible magazine. Over the past year Ability specific conditions such as dyslexia, website for 750m consumers has worked with the bank’s disAbility ADHD and asperger’s. The toolkit will Mobelite: an accessible communica- Network Steering Committee to help it be launched in October and the BBC tion platform get a better understanding of what plans to make the technology publicly Digital Outreach: increasing internet assistive technology is available for available to non-profit organisations. use among older people disabled employees.

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Apple changes the game Briefs DDA study shows firms with iPhone and iPad are slow to change by Dan Jellinek, E-access Bulletin technology appears. With the iPhone, I The Department for Work and Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices are “game- could use it the same day as my sighted Pensions has published a study of changing” in offering built-in accessibility friends.” changes that organisations made in functions for people with disabilities, Accessibility features that are built in response to the Disability Discrimin- delegates heard at this year’s E-Access ’10 by the manufacturer are also more stable ation Act. Only 32% had improved conference in London. than added extras like screen-readers their communications such as making Kiran Kaja of the RNIB Digital running on top of an operating system, their websites more accessible, Accessibility Team told a mobile phone Kaja said. providing special phone systems or workshop hosted by Ability that while Apple’s new ‘iPad’ table computer – making print available in large print or accessibility applications are available for which functions much like a huge iPhone Braille. Many smaller employers did other smartphones – such as the ‘Eyes Free – was also singled out for praise by Robin not understand a key phrase in the Shell’ for Google’s Android phone – the Spinks, principal manager, Digital Act – reasonable adjustment – which iPhone 3GS is a game-changer because its Accessibility at RNIB. refers to adjustments that it is accessibility features are built in across all The iPad’s size meant it was a reasonable for organisations to make its functions. “revolutionary” improvement for partially- to accommodate disabled people. sighted users, who could use it http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/ at a normal distance like a asd5/report_abstracts/rr_ more visible smartphone, with abstracts/rra_685.asp applications and the keyboard feature all viewed larger, Spinks RNIB introduces iSite said. The RNIB has installed an accessible Used as an electronic book intranet called iSite for use by its blind reader, the iPad can also and sighted staff. Developed by a magnify text, and it featured company called Content and Code, the same built-in access iSite provides a central hub for sharing functions as the iPhone 3GS information. It provides discussion iPhone stacks up for disabled usersl such as the double-tap with forums and a corporate directory. The three fingers to magnify the system can display very small and Using the standard touch-screen you screen, he said. “One of the advantages of very large resolution screens and has can move your fingers along and the Apple’s much-criticised ‘walled garden’ pre-defined page layouts. phone reads what is underneath them; and approach is that is can build in accessibility www.rnib.org.uk if you swipe down with two fingers it reads to all functions.” from that point to the end, Kaja said. A Further accessibility features are likely Eye tracking ereaders double-tap with three fingers will magnify to be added to smartphones in future that Researchers at the German Research the screen. make use of the built-in gyroscopes and Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) “A lot of people say they can’t use a accelerometers found in most modern have created a tool for electronic touch-screen, but when I show them this it phones, said Kiran Kaja. “They are mainly books that tracks a user’s eye really changes their perspectives,” he said. used by games developers now, but could movements and uses them to control “People have started asking why they also have uses for people with disabilities,” the device. Text 2.0 can detect when should pay extra money for accessibility on he said. a reader dwells on a word and mainstream devices. So slowly we are Early examples include the free triggers voice output, a translation or seeing changing expectations. ‘Dasher’ app that allows the user to tilt and an image. Developed with eye gaze “When Symbian [an operating system move the phone with one hand to select firm Tobii Technology, the software for mobile phones] was released in 2000, it items, a feature of use to many people with can also insert a bookmark when a was two or three years before assistive impaired mobility. I reader looks away or even fade out technology was developed for it, so phones http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/da words when someone is skim reading. could be out of date before assistive sher/id315473092?mt=8 www.tobii.com

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Vaizey to unveil action plan

Civil servants in the Department for have accessibility built-in but are also Business Innovation and Skills were putting designed for the mainstream. the finishing touches to a government “Too many people are currently e-accessibility action plan as Ability went to excluded,” Vaizey told delegates at the press. E-Access conference. “I want to see that The plan, due to be unveiled on change. The Government will make sure October 12, is the first of three projects that we have a clear and supportive Martha Lane Fox, heading Digital from a Forum composed of organisations regulatory framework that legislates where Britain involved in e-accessibility and set up by Ed necessary. Vaizey, minister for Culture, Communi- “But legislation can be a blunt include OneVoice, a coalition of cations and Creative Industries, in July. instrument. I challenge you to develop new organisations involved in accessibility, The Forum’s action plan will have five ways of making it easy for those with which has submitted its own plans for work streams. It will focus on the legal disabilities to be productive employees, campaigning, promotion and framework surrounding e-accessibility, look confident consumers and engaged citizens.” professionalism. at the affordability and availability of The Government sees accessibility as a One member, the British Computer assistive technologies, consider how to key plank in its efforts to get more citizens Society, which set up the IT charities improve website services, make broadcast online – a quarter of the population has AbilityNet and IT Can Help in the 1980s, content more accessible and promote never been near a browser. Dotcom has now made accessibility a key issue. awareness of e-accessibility. entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox is The organisation not only plans to use The second task for the Forum is to spearheading Digital Britain, a campaign to its influence to move the topic higher up help transfer a European Directive on boost the online economy. the public agenda but is eating its own Communications Networks Services into She has already ruffled feathers with a lunch by making BCS products and services UK law by May next year. The Directive challenge to the government to “close down more accessible. obliges member states to ensure disabled publicly funded websites that consistently “Our vision is that everyone, whatever end-users have equivalent access and choice fail to meet its own web accessibility their capability, should be able to sit in front of communication services. guidelines”. of any screen and be confident that they can The Forum also has a remit to help Ed Vaizey is looking into the access all available information and business to exploit the opportunities of implications of such a move. March 2011 services,” says BCS president Elizabeth e-accessibility. At a recent conference called has already been set as the deadline by Sparrow. I E-Access 2010, Vaisey cited Apple, which all government websites must comply Visit Ability’s website Microsoft and Google as examples of with accessibility standards. wwww.abilitymagazine. org.uk for companies that had designed products that Organisations involved with the Forum latest news of the e-accessibility plan.

reaching the expected level in Signs of sickness Briefs English. SignTranslate, a web-based www.texthelp.co.uk communication tool that allows Reading skills medical staff in hospitals and GP Texthelp has launched software to Lion King captioned surgeries communicate with deaf help primary school children improve November will see a special staging sign language users, has won an their reading fluency skills. Fluency of Disney’s The Lion King musical award from internet domain names Tutor V2 allows children to listen to by Stagetext, a charity that subtitles company Nominet. Medical staff can text, record themselves reading and performances in theatres and arts call up live British Sign Language send the results to a teacher for venues for people with a hearing interpreters via webcam. The marking. The software also has impairment. The event celebrates 10 Nominet award judges praised the quizzes to test a child’s years of work by Stagetext, during project for its good use of understanding of a reading exercise. which time it has captioned over technology to address a real need The latest Key Stage 2 test results 1500 performances. very effectively. reveal that one in five pupils are not www,stagetext.org www.signtranslate.com

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Games could help stroke IT helpers need survivors communicate more customers Technologists who have volunteered to Computer games may help stroke provide free help to disabled people with survivors learn how to communicate again. computer problems are struggling to find Motion sensing devices, such as the enough customers for their services. Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360 and One would-be helper – Alistair Brown Apple’s iPad, could be used in the – says he has been registered for two-and- rehabilitation of people who have survived a-half years with both RNIB and IT Can a stroke but have problems speaking. Help, but has had little call for his Therapists try to teach stroke survivors expertise (see Feedback p5). “I have the to communicate through gestures that time, but no work,” he says. other people can understand, but they can In response, IT Can Help, which runs be difficult for patients to learn. a national network of over 200 volunteers, Researchers at City University London has launched a campaign of posters, are working on a prototype system that Stroke Clubs in the London area. leaflets and advertisements to try and find could enable people who have aphasia after “Computer-based treatments have more people who need assistance. a stroke to practice gesturing and get been shown to improve verbal language “I just can’t put my finger on why we feedback on how well they are doing. skills in previous studies, but this is the don’t have more clients,” says Paul Toms, A team from the university has been first time that gestures will be addressed,” who has organised the IT Can Help given a £300,000 grant to develop an says Jane Marshall, Professor of campaign. “I think people may be affordable, computer-based technology to Aphasiology at City University London. suspicious that the service is free. Much of help stroke survivors, who have limited “With 45,000 new cases in the UK the difficulty is getting people to phone in spoken or written output, learn how to each year, we hope that our work will help the first place. ‘gesture’ independently at home. a wider range of aphasic people to regain “The only way forward is to tell people Working with the Stroke Association, communication skills.” I about IT Can Help as often as possible.” the team plans to test the prototype with www.city.ac.uk/news/archive/2010 One reason for the low take up may be people from 30 of the Stroke Association’s /08_aug/190810.html that volunteers do not have the skills that are required. One large IT Freedom reads rivals the riot act volunteering programme called US screen reader company Freedom industry,” explains Dr. Lee Hamilton, IT4Communities Scientific flexed its legal muscles with a president of the company. has found flurry of lawsuits over the summer. “Along the way, Freedom Scientific problems The company is suing rival GW Micro files patents to protect the investment it matching over alleged patent infringement. makes in developing new technologies,” people, Freedom Scientific, maker of JAWS, Hamilton added. according to claims that a place marker for internet The company has also bought a suit one of its pages displayed in the Internet Explorer against the Foundation for Blind Children founders Gail and Firefox browsers in GW Micro’s for using its trademarks without Bradbrook. Window Eyes version 7 infringes a authorisation after it ended a contract with “Sixty per Freedom Scientific patent. Freedom Scientific. cent of The move follows legal action last year It also has the US government in its registered against another rival, Serotek, about the sights, claiming legal fees incurred when volunteers are programmers use of the word freedom to describe a the company protested about the way a and they are generally inactive, presumably feature in the company’s screen reader. Veterans Association contract, which because the volunteering opportunities of “Freedom Scientific invests more in Freedom Scientific failed to win, had been IT4C don’t quite fit their skill set,” research and development than any other handled. I Bradbrook says. I company in the blindness technology www.freedomscientific.com [email protected]

10 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Opportunity for all

At UBS, we are committed to developing diverse talent and ensuring disability is no obstacle to success.

It starts with you: www.ubs.com/careers

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Firm looks for testers with autism Some 60 autistic people in Scotland are to enterprise development company. potential to change lives for the better by be trained and employed as software The work – testing software and providing mainstream employment at the testers. websites for companies – taps into the market rate.” A company called Specialisterne characteristics and skills people with A software tester working for Scotland, a spin off from a Danish project, autism possess, such as accuracy, precision Specialisterne can expect a starting has been set up in Glasgow to train people and attention to detail. salary of about £20,000, but this could in specialised testing work and offer their Thorkil Sonne, founder of rise to more than £30,000 for testing services to IT companies and organisations Specialisterne and the Specialist People analysts. that use IT. Foundation, set up the project in The business has been set up with Specialisterne plans to create up to 60 Denmark in 2004 after his son, Lars, was more than £1.1 million of funding, new jobs, 75% of which will be for people diagnosed with autism at the age of three. including £700,000 from the Scottish with an autism spectrum disorder, over the The Danish firm now employs more Government's Scottish Investment Fund. next four years. than 50 people and has a turnover of £1.5 The project has also received £407,000 The company is operated under licence million. from the Big Lottery and £30,000 from from Specialist People Foundation in Gerry Higgins, chief executive of CEiS, Glasgow City Council. I Denmark by CEiS, Scotland’s largest social said: “Specialisterne Scotland has the http://specialisternescotland.co.uk

Students struggle to access grant forms

Students have had difficulty applying unable to make the forms available in PDF each block of text but not know how each for the Disabled Students Allowance or Word formats that will work with of the elements laid out on the page are (DSA) this year, say support staff, screen readers because of a lack of time and related to each other.” because application forms for the grant staff to do the work. The documents are not available in are not available in some accessible “The reason behind the forms not Word because they have been created using formats. being understood by the screen reader lies software that cannot produce text in that The forms are usually distributed as in the authoring software that is used to format. online forms, in print and in a PDF typeset the form,” says David Armstrong, The SLC says it will be training staff in format but university disability advisors Planning and Distribution Executive at how to produce accessible PDFs in the report that they have been unable to get the SLC. autumn. documents in formats such as Word that “The software doesn’t define the “We fully believe that our existing work with screen readers. documents background structure/ provision has adequately anticipated the The Student Loans Company (SLC), hierarchy. So, when the screen reader needs of our disabled customers,” which administers the DSA, says it is attempts to interpret it, it will just read Armstrong concludes. I Web gets new typefaces The web will become more readable designers to a small number of pre- Get Online Week, 18-24 October, thanks to a deal brokered by the installed typefaces such as Arial, Verdana is aimed at the over 10 million Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) with and Times New Roman. people in the UK who still don’t the companies that own the rights to Now a large number of other typefaces use computers and the internet. hundreds of typefaces. used in print media will become available There are 3,000 events planned The type industry has agreed a Web through the scheme. across the UK, with a target of Open File Format (WOFF 1.0) that will Many of these fonts are easier to read getting 80,000 people online. allow web developers to access their by people who have sight and cognitive For further information go to typefaces. So far, a lack of standards and impairments. I www.getonlineweek.com availability of licences has restricted www.w3.org/Fonts/woff-faq

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Three quarters of Home Access grants are still up for grabs

There are still 8,000 grants available called ‘cause and effect’ software for out loud. under the £24m Home Access assistive improving targeting skills, hand-eye I Text prediction: (similar to ‘texting’ on technology programme. coordination and aiding children with a phone) which helps to speed up Some 29,000 low income families have learning difficulties, together with writing. been sent letters with information about associated access devices. I Mind mapping: helps children to the 12,000 grants available for computer Children with a visual impairment can structure, visualise and classify ideas. equipment that disabled pupils can use to obtain specialist hardware and software to I Screen magnification: this enlarges the study and access the internet at home. access screen content, while sound content on the computer screen and is Leading disability charities including amplification hardware will be offered to particularly useful for learners with AbilityNet, Whizz-Kidz and the National those with a hearing impairment. impaired vision. Autistic Society have urged families to The scheme is open to children at apply as soon as possible to be sure of state schools in years 3 to 9 who have a HARDWARE getting a grant. Statement of Special Educational Needs, I Adapted keyboard: useful for children The assistive technology scheme will receive a Disability Living Allowance, or with sight or physical difficulties. end either when the 12,000 mark has been whose school can certify they have assistive Alternatively, the package could include passed or when the money runs out, technology needs. Their parents must be in a compact keyboard for a child with probably by January 2011. receipt of at least one from a list of seven limited movement. “It is my belief that this is the biggest possible benefits. I Keyboard stickers: enables visually assistive technology contract awarded Evaluations of each applicant’s needs impaired children to see the keyboard arguably anywhere in are carried out over the characters more easily. the world,” says Ian phone by a team of I Specially designed mouse: for children Litterick, (pictured) trained assessors. The who may find it difficult to hold and chairman of iansyst, equipment that children move a standard mouse. the company that is may already use at school I Assistive technology for children with procuring the assistive will be taken into severe needs technology. account, although the I Screen reader software: provides full “The fact that the scheme is not meant to speech access to every part of the children have the replace technology that computer, including documents, equipment at home should be supplied at menus, dialogue boxes, tables and web means so many more school. pages. children are going to The scheme should I Impaired hearing hardware: provides have an opportunity have started several a direct connection between a learner’s for learning.” months ago, but was hearing aid and a computer by giving Successful applicants will receive a delayed when assistive technology suppliers them a direct input shoe. laptop, assistive software, hardware, free struggled to satisfy government I Switch access hardware: useful for internet access and support for a year, requirements that sensitive personal learners unable to use a mouse or a worth up to £2,000. information should be kept securely. keyboard. Alternative equipment on offer to Application forms can be obtained by I Touch screen hardware: useful for children with physical or learning phoning 0333 200 1004 or visiting learners who can’t use a standard difficulties will include switches, touch http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/. keyboard, mouse or trackball. screens and adapted mice. I Symbol software: for children with Children with a severe learning or What is available from Home poor literacy or learning difficulties. literacy difficulties will be offered symbols Access? I Special access methods: such as or picture software to support writing, SOFTWARE mouth-controlled joysticks, a head- reading or curriculum access. I Text to speech software: for learners controlled mouse or light-operated The programme will also fund so- who prefer to have pages of text read mouse and keyboard combinations.

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workspace The visual basics Ability visits St Dunstan’s to learn how the charity, which was founded nearly 100 years ago, provides for the IT needs of blind service people

rom Janis Sharp’s office, perched high up on St Dunstan’s There are some 500 computer users among the 3,000 people fourth floor, the view along the Sussex coast to Brighton is St Dunstan’s supports, many of whom have passed through the Fspectacular, but it is not one that many of those served by hands of Sharp’s seven-strong team of trainers. the charity are able to fully appreciate. Some trainees must learn how to use IT for the first time, but Because for more than 60 years St Dunstan’s – named after a the priority for many older people with age-related sight loss and medieval English cleric – has been helping service people who who may already have a computer is to pick up the short cuts they have lost their sight live as independently as possible. need to continue working online. In well-equipped facilities at Not that Ovingdean, near Brighton, and at Sharp has a Sheffield, dedicated staff nurse very high injured military personnel, assess opinion of web their needs, recommend assistive accessibility. technology and train them how to Pages with too use it. many links and Few people stay at the centres constantly permanently. Most attend for short changing periods of a few weeks while they layout make undergo rehabilitation, pursue using them their studies or take a vacation. very difficult. Sharp, who is IT manager at She cites one the centre in Ovingdean, was Brighton block: St Dunstan’s centre at Ovingdean, East Sussex St Dunstaner clearing her desk in preparation for who was told retirement when Ability visited her in July. to press a key 128 times to reach the link he wanted. The scene from her window in the landmark 1930s building is “We suggest people do shopping by phone, although we do the thing she will miss most about leaving, she says, jokingly, as encourage them to write in and report problems they are having we talked about her work for the charity. with websites,” she explains. “IT has just grown and grown and grown,” she says. “What I’ve noticed is that there used to be most interest among the Individual training younger ones in creating documents. Training is one-to-one, tailored to each individual and comes with “Now it’s the older ones wanting to get online. It all began 10 an agreed outcome. Courses typically last a week and are years ago when the BBC started saying ‘for more information go residential. to www…’.” Trainees start with keyboard skills to help in assessing each She began her career at St Dunstan’s teaching typing, a person’s dexterity and their ability to memorise sequences of discipline that is obvious in her insistence that keyboard skills are commands. the best way to make effective use of a computer. Keyboards are selected and marked up with rubber ‘bump-on’ She works hard at persuading trainees who attend courses at stickers that make finding a key easier. her centre to master accurate touch typing, arguing that this is the The next step is to introduce specific applications. Most key to computing for blind users: hunt and peck is definitely trainees begin with emailing; more popular than word processing second best. these days, says Sharp. “We try to teach touch typing without speech output – people St Dunstan’s preferred software is the simplified interface come to know they have made a mistake from the position of called Guide, the screen reader Hal, and its bigger brother their hands – hearing the letters can be misleading: only later do Supernova which combines a screen reader and magnifier with we introduce voice feedback.” Braille support. Users are also offered instruction in the

14 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 14-15 Workspace A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:19 Page 15

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Zoomtext magnifier and JAWS screen reader. However, the IT centre does pass on advice via articles in the “Guide has really taken off as the software of choice as it’s just St Dunstan’s magazine and also hosts a twice-yearly computer so straightforward. However, the younger ones will outgrow it. club meeting at Ovingdean during which enthusiasts spend two The trouble is people start simply but then things begin to days talking technology. become more complicated.” Many St Dunstaners, as they call themselves, were injured in Staff are also able to instruct people in free products such as the line of duty, but increasingly old age is the cause of their the Webbie web browser and the Thunder screen reader. “There is vision impairment: over half the charity’s beneficiaries are past no real reason for our selection,” says Sharp. “We just don’t want retirement age. to support too many different products.” Originally, St Dunstan’s, which was set up in 1913 by On the hardware side, St Dunstan’s uses off-the-peg newspaper magnet Arthur Pearson, only looked after those injured equipment; sometimes recycled from other users. CCTV while serving in the armed forces. magnifiers, scanners and reading machines are provided on But in 2000 its remit was widened to include all ex-service permanent loan. But not computers, which users, other than personnel provided they had lost vision in both eyes. those who are war blinded, must provide for themselves. The change has greatly increased demand for places; so much Although Sharp does field enquiries from trainees, most so that this year St Dunstan’s will be opening a third site in requests for support are passed on to suppliers such as Dolphin Llandudno in Wales. and charities such as RNIB. In a sign of the times, IT will also undergo an overhaul. “We are the first step, we give people equipment and the skills Computer training is to be integrated with general rehabilitation, that go with it and then encourage them to find out what’s recognition of just how important assistive technology is in the available locally,” says Sharp. lives of St Dunstaners. I

Training mission St Dunstaner Stephen Shepherd has an ambition to help train other visually impaired students. Shepherd (58), who served as a Corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for nearly 10 years, was a computer novice when he first came to St Dunstan’s. With the help of St Dunstan’s IT Department he learnt to touch type and use a computer with audio software. In 2009 he gained nationally recognised IT and computer qualifications to get back into work, having been unemployed since losing his sight as a result of diabetic retinopathy. After undergoing training at St Dunstan’s Steve enrolled on an ITQ Level 2 course at Derby College in April 2009, and used screen reader software to access material for each lesson. He successfully completed the course two months ahead of schedule. “It just goes to prove that disability need not be a barrier,” said Shepherd. “I won’t say it was easy and there were barriers but the important thing is to remain positive and find out Trainer Stephen Shepherd with his Vocational what help and support is available.” Qualification He added that his achievement would not have been possible without the assistance of John Davis, his support worker at Derby College and IT instructors at St Dunstan’s for providing him with a breakthrough foundation in computer skills. He is now enrolling on a further course to achieve an Access to the Blind computer certificate and a Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAiT) Plus qualification that will allow him to train others. Shepherd currently volunteers with partially sighted people and hopes his qualifications will help him find paid employment. “The computer at home is now my lifeline since I lost my sight, as it enables me to better communicate with people,” he said. www.st-dunstans.org.uk

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Best in class Training may be a Cinderella service but users are determined to get to the ball. We look at the issues around learning how to use assistive systems and provide some pointers on where Learning how to change screen magnifier settings to go for instruction

ou have installed the program, pressed run and the opening a computer and instruction on how their assistive technology page of the shiny new piece of assistive software hovers integrates with mainstream products. Ytantalisingly in front of you. What next? For many users a “If you are providing someone with a software package, you frustrating struggle that at best ends in failing to get the most out of need to provide the training to go hand in hand with it: it gets the program and at worst can mean a quick stab at the uninstall them going quicker,” says Carl Ward, head of training at Microlink button. Cilnet. “One of the things I am very keen on is training in What’s missing is someone who has the knowledge to take a context.” user through the features, an understanding of their disability and Microlink Cilnet, which has 40 trainers on its books, caters for the patience to help them practice how to use the program: in other both students and employees and has carried out training at words a trainer. organisations that include Lloyds Banking Group, BT and disability However, training has always been a Cinderella activity in IT. charity Leonard Cheshire. Organisations pay lip service to training, but when the crunch Many users who may have acquired assistive software through comes it is clear they regard it as an optional extra, a nice to have schemes such as Access to Work or the Disabled Students that can always be dropped in favour of a bit of ‘manual bashing’ Allowance don’t know how to use it. Some have been put off using and learning by trial and error. earlier versions of a product that has since improved. That is the thinking of many institutions and employers already “So it is a matter of persuading them to have a go,” says Ward. under pressure in the downturn to make savings. But according to “Lots of people have the software but are reluctant to use it.” both trainees and training organisations we spoke to said that is a In one case a vision impaired student had been using Dolphin’s false economy. SupaNova package, but relied on the mouse and magnification to make it work. “I encouraged her to let go of the mouse and get into No substitute the shortcut functions,” observes Ward. There is no substitute for face-to-face training so far as learning a Training for many disabled users starts at a young age. The new skill is concerned, according to Margaret Malpas, training ability to master assistive technology is vital for school children if director and joint chair of the British Dyslexia Association. they are to learn effectively. At New College Worcester, Peter She acknowledges that the recession has had a huge effect on Bryenton focuses on technology’s role in enabling children to study. training, with organisations reducing their training staff and cutting “We have a system that involves teaching them just what they the amount of instruction they provide for employees or need to get over individual problems rather than give them three beneficiaries. “There is no doubt that the cost of training is an issue, months training. Our techniques are more to do with effective but it’s a drop in the ocean compared with what the technology study than anything else.” costs,” asserts Malpas, whose organisation puts on over 500 training A lot of training is to do with keeping the college’s blind events per year. students up to date with changing technology. “As soon as you’ve “It may cost £250 to train an individual, but you can easily get got your head round one gadget someone has invented another,” a 25% increase in productivity straightaway.” Bryenton points out. Disabled users suffer from a triple whammy. First they have to The introduction of Windows 7 meant that pupils had to learn learn about mainstream systems, then the assistive elements that sit new shortcuts. “We teach children to cope with that rate of change: on top of them and finally how to use the two together. they have to grin and bear it.” Professional trainers emphasise the need to prepare far more Others involved in training emphasise the need to provide more complex courses than may be needed by non-disabled users. than just instruction to help users get the most out of technology. Disabled trainees need a number of additional elements in their “Training also needs to include tailoring of the software to fit the training. For example, individual coping strategies to help them use user and business needs allowing integration with bespoke systems,

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 17 17, 18,20 Training A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:22 Page 18

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commended for its efforts in an awards scheme run by Nominet, which issues URLs. “Our mission is to promote computing to people with a visual impairment,” explains BCAB’s Steve Plumpton. “I find there are a lot of people who get the software, struggle with it and then give up. “Training is very important to help people, but it must be affordable. The problem is that professional trainers need to charge £250 per day.” One way round the cost of training, Plumpton believes, is to make software easier to learn how to use. He welcomes the arrival of simpler software such as the Thunder and NVDA screen readers and the Guide interface. A student at New College Worcester gets to grips with a Online training is also a way of cutting out the cost of face-to- BrailleNote face instruction. Training company Concept Northern has developed an e-learning website called www.concept-live.co.uk to templates and standard documents,” says Andy Tippett, managing train users with learning difficulties in assistive technology. director of the Speech Centre. The site offers courses in the most popular software for users “In so many cases success is about the ability to provide easy with dyslexia and vision impairment together with interactive access to their systems, not just loading the assistive software and exercises costing around £100 each. Students receive a certificate showing someone what to do ‘out of the box’.” when they have successfully completed their course. Proper training is terribly important because disabled people One option increasingly attractive to cash-strapped customers face special barriers, says Adam Hyland of training company Eden is remote learning using the free Skype voice over IP (VoIP) Skills, who joined his company after his experiences as a student. service combined with remote control software that allows an “When the founders of Eden Skills went through university we instructor to demonstrate software to a trainee and to watch how didn’t get the best out of our technology because most of the the trainee gets on. training was done by technicians who were not disabled and Online training sessions can be even more face to face using a therefore didn’t relate to a disabled person, so the training was webcam. Video conferencing allows trainers to talk to students, ineffective,” he points out. demonstrate procedures on screen and watch students going Claro Learning, a training company based in the West of through their paces. England, emphasises the role of assessors in determining who gets Robin Christopherson, of AbilityNet, reports that short training what training and how much. “There are a range of different videos of five or 10 minutes are increasingly popular with the IT opinions among assessors about the value of training and how charity’s clients. “More and more we are asked to create content in much a student needs,” says Jeremy Fox, Claro Learning’s managing bite-size chunks: that is the way training is going,” says director. “Some people think it is critical, others are not so sure. If Christopherson. “A 45 minute or one hour training video is you send a load of boxes and instructions to a student with dyslexia regarded as too long.” the system is likely to stay in the box.” However, there are many who still believe that face-to-face training is best. “I remain to be convinced [about remote training],” The technology route says Fox of Claro Learning. It isn’t necessarily cheaper and is best When so many programs come with elaborate help features, videos used for revision,” he says. and demonstration routines, increasingly software itself promises to In the context of the £20,000 available to students for non- train users. If novices get stuck they can always turn to a forum or medical help, the £750 to £1,000 cost of training in IT is Facebook group for advice. However, it is not always so simple: negligible, Fox maintains. “If you don’t do it, you are wasting built-in tutorials may not be accessible or particularly well-designed. government money. You need to put the student in the position in The British Computer Association for the Blind (BCAB) has which they not only know how the IT works but are proficient developed its own tutorial CDs for products such as JAWS, Hal, enough to make them inclined to use it.” Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, Word and Windows XP. The discs, known as the ‘Get to Grips with’ series cost £20 but are free Training the professionals to members. Training care, medical and technology professionals is a key step to In addition, BCAB runs EyeT4All days to encourage blind and improving assistive technology skills overall. Christopherson of partially sighted people to take their first steps with computers and AbilityNet points out that with technology changing so quickly it is access technologies. Earlier this year the organisation was vital for these professionals to keep up.

18 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 19 Ads A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:26 Page 19

BDA Employers’ Conference GET YOUR London, 2 November 2010 POINT ALL Scotland “Seeing It Differently” ACROSS. CCommunication, Access, Literacy and Learning This conference concentrates on visual aspects of We Offer: dyslexia, new ways to support dyslexic employees Take a and the business case for reasonable adjustments. classified CPD for all those working Speakers inc: Prof John Stein, Prof Arnold Wilkins, with people with additional Richard Tennison (BT) and John Fingleton (OFT). ad in support needs/SEN For more information on this and on BDA training Ability. Bespoke training on your site courses, see our website www.bdadyslexia.org.uk or book via [email protected] Phone Experienced and friendly staff or tel 0845 251 9004 Ref: Ability 01444 Course Areas: 831226 Adapted Digital Exams Books for All Accessible and Inclusive Lewisham Association of People with Disabilities Communication Assistive Technology and South London’s main agency for providing support for Software in Schools people with any disabilities Concerned about changes to benefits? CALL Scotland Need help completing forms? 0131 651 6235 Want support at a meeting/hearing/appeal? [email protected] Then let us know – we can help! www.callscotland.org.uk Website – www.lapdonline.org.uk 17, 18,20 Training A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:22 Page 20

training

“The first hurdle for an occupational therapist or occupational courses are aimed at health and social care workers. The university health worker is to know what’s out there,” he maintains. also offers an online training tool, developed in partnership with “The major area of movement is in the mobile space: devices the College of Occupational Therapists and the Health Design & that can do 95% of what bespoke technology could do five years ago. Technology Institute. There is a learning curve that occupational therapists need to climb.” North of the border, CALL Scotland, based at the University of AbilityNet offers courses on hardware, software, mobiles and Edinburgh, trains about 400 teachers and support staff annually. bespoke devices such as communication aids. But it is not just the The institution offers some 50 different courses and road shows, latest technology that professionals need to know about. run at schools or on site. One of the organisation’s more popular courses is called low One of CALL Scotland’s main thrusts is to keep Scottish cost, no cost. It explores free or cheap technology and shows teachers up to date with the Additional Support for Learning Act in students how to adjust mainstream systems such as Windows. Scotland, which includes a code of practice for supporting disabled The number of courses available for professionals is growing, pupils. “In these straightened times and with the legal challenge it’s especially in higher education. Middlesex University has just started really important that students and staff can get access to learning a two-year master’s degree in digital inclusion, the first such course materials,” says Sandra O’Neill, CALL Scotland’s training services in Europe. Aimed at those already working in the disability field, coordinator. students will spend their time learning about the social, ethical and The BCAB, in partnership with the RNIB and the Institute of legal aspects of digital inclusion and carry out a project at their IT Training (IITT), has developed a trainer certification scheme to workplace. raise the standard of access technology training. The scheme, which Not to be outdone, Coventry University offers both a is administered by RNIB and has produced 50 certified trainers, is foundation degree and master’s degree in assistive technology. The soon to become a membership association. I

TRAINING PROVIDERS Abilitynet: training for all groups – www.abilitynet.org.uk Ace Centre Oxford: courses for carers and parents of children with complex needs – www.ace-centre.org.uk Age UK: various programmes for senior users – www.ageuk.org.uk/ British Computer Association of the Blind: remote training materials – www.bcab.org.uk British Dyslexia Association: 500 workshops for parents, teachers, tutors and employers – http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ British Healthcare Trades Association: runs BTEC in healthcare and assistive technology course – www.bhta.net CALL Scotland: training for teachers and support staff www.callscotland.org.uk Cheltenham Assessment Centre: assistive technology training for students – http://www.chace.ac.uk/ Claro Learning: independent learning for students in higher education – www.clarolearning.com Concept Live: online training resource for assistive technology – http://www.concept-live.co.uk/ Dolphin Computer Access: supplier with variety of in house training programmes – www.yourdolphin.com Enable Ireland: Irish charity that runs national assistive technology courses – http://www.enableireland.ie/ Eden Skills: courses for people in schools, colleges, universities and employment – http://edenskills.co.uk Hands-Free: face-to-face and remote training for education and employment – http://www.hands-free.co.uk HDTI Coventry: degree level courses in assistive technology – http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk Institute of IT Training: information about training suppliers – http://iitt.vbnlive.com JISC Techdis: educational advisory service, working in the fields of accessibility and inclusion – www.techdis.ac.uk Microlink Cilnet: training for students and people in employment – www.microlinkcilnet.com Middlesex University: MSc in digital inclusion – www.mdx.ac.uk New College Worcester: residential school for young people who are blind or partially sighted – http://www.newcollegeworcester.co.uk/ RNIB: holds list of accredited trainers – www.rnib.org.uk RNID: textphone training – www.rnid.org.uk Royal National College for the Blind: further education for blind and partially sighted – www.rncb.ac.uk Speech Centre: training from basic to advanced level – www.speechcentre.co.uk Technical Officers Association: runs training programme for technical officers – www.toa.org.uk U Can Do IT: free training for disabled users – www.ucandoit.org.uk

20 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 21 Microlink Ad A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:33 Page 21

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How mobile phones designed for older and Simplicity is the watchword in designing phones for older and disabled people are racing ahead disabled people. “Building an easy interface is not just about big buttons, users ho do you think you are: Stirling Moss?” The have to like the product and be able to use it easily,” says Eveline police were said to ask when they stopped a Pupeter-Fellner, chief executive of Austrian phone maker “Wspeeding motorist. Emporia. These days the legendary grand prix driver may move a bit “You have to go to the user and ask them what they want.” more slowly but he hasn’t stopped racing and he hasn’t lost a Most of the phones on display at a recent conference called lifetime enthusiasm for technology. Recently he has been trying Senior Market Mobile, sported much reduced sets of features: out mobile phones designed for older users. cameras, games and internet access were notable by their absence. “As we get older our calls are just as important as when we Instead the handsets are designed to overcome disabilities that were younger,” says Sir Stirling. “I find my mobile phone is particularly affect older people such as vision impairment (82% of essential.” users) and loss of hearing (29%), as well as problems with The 80-year-old talks and texts on gripping and handling (42%). an Emporia model most evenings. His Sir Stirling Moss: “At “Our mission is to enable handset has large buttons, amplified least the mobile phone senior people to continue their sound and a high visibility screen. “The is getting better” life in a free and comfortable ergonomics of many things is not that way. Older people are a very good but at least the mobile phone is diverse group with many getting better,” he says. different requirements,” says Sir Stirling, whose house is full of Chris Millington, UK gadgets, many of which he designed managing director of Swedish himself and who sends and receives firm Doro. emails on his home computer, Suppliers also pay much complains that old people are always more attention to the look of thought to be stupid. “That’s not the their products and the services case at all,” he says. that surround them. Smartphones have captured the Orange, for example, is headlines with clever applications for disabled people, but many developing special billing and customer care arrangements for its users, particularly older ones, are turning to much simpler older customers. Other companies stress the need not to talk handsets. down to older or disabled customers or to try and sell to their Specially designed mobiles with features such as emergency relatives. alarm buttons, hearing aid compatibility, fall alarms and high- Senior Market Mobile organiser Simon Rockman is convinced visibility screens capable of displaying large type have taken off in mobile phone network operators are missing a trick. Demand for the UK over the past year. phones may have slowed, but senior users represent an untapped Models are not only better designed but more readily available market, he says. as mainstream retailers such as Boots, Argos, Carphone There are over 20m people over 50 in the UK. Not only are Warehouse and phone operator Orange have started distributing they more loyal than ordinary phone users, but many have them. problems using ordinary phones. Even the Daily Mail newspaper recently offered its readers a Over three quarters of UK seniors currently have access to a cut-price big button mobile. mobile phone, according to research commissioned by Doro. And in the future mobiles aimed at what the industry calls the However, half of them feel intimidated and hesitant about senior market are likely to play an important part in mobile using new consumer technologies. When asked how they actually health applications. use their current mobiles, 73% said it was primarily just to make Phones will be equipped with interfaces that gather data on a telephone calls. I user’s vital signs from sensors and relay them to doctors and How to phone home: turn to the next page for a comparison of the health centres. key features of leading models available on the British market.

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 23 mobiles * C C w G E E E w E H H H P P P P P P w D B B w B B S S S w B P P P w A C m m m o o o m h h h h h h 5 2 1 L L i i i a a a e i e M o = w w w w w w g g g n w w w o o o o o o O 0 0 0 n n n e a r p p p 8 8 p a P n n n n n n o B B B w w w w w w R d d d m - e e e o o o 3 2 o t L e e e e e e f l l l u u u e M r r r o ...... r r r e e e 0 0 o r a I E E E E E E T T T g e d b b a c i i i t t t C P P P n i a a a 0 0 n t t t e e e r a a a a a a m a m e e o i e o o o T l l l e c n O l l l s s s s s s u u u i L E P e a r n n n A v p a M M M p y y y y y y o N s s s I L m - e F L t B B B o l . A f E 4 4 3 3 3 3 5 4 6 - i 3 3 3 o E c K o a r c B B B G o 1 0 4 4 3 3 0 0 0 3 3 2 p o n i p n r o 5 2 1 n a R A 0 9 5 1 8 2 1 0 0 l 4 4 6 m e c r . u m l 0 0 0 . e c N 0 0 0 y i t . a s I c 0 0 0 e m o I U C p t S o l S m P E h e i M m u c o m O S o n m e £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ N s 8 8 7 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 9 7 4 3 1 7 6 6 8 9 . n . c 8 8 9 9 2 4 1 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 9 9 9 2 9 6 9 4 9

c Price & o . . . . 9 0 5 0 0 0 5 0 . . . 9 . . . . . o O 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 n . . . . u 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 5 5 9 9 9 u = k F 9 5 k n a M m b b b s b b b b c c b b b b c b b s b b b b b l l l l l e a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a i i A d d s r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r m m m Handset type e e a R r r s s s n h h h d e e e K l l l n l l l u E m T b • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e I r N s Large buttons G S / b • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • L y E

= High visibility A S buttons t a • • • • • • • • • • • • D • • • • • • • • • • • n d

High visibility I b N y screen G T • • U • • • • • • • • U U u U U U U U / p p p p p p p p p t Emergency call U t = t t t t t t t t o o o o o o o o o K T

3 button 5 6 6 4 5 5 5 5 a l n n n n n n n n n k M o o o o o o o o o t s s s s s s s s s i m O e B T M M M T T T T T T M M M M M M M I 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 L 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 / / / / / / / Hearing aid / / / / M M M M M M M T T T T E 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 compatible S • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Speaker phone 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 3 5 9 5 5 5 3 5 1 2 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Phone book n n n & & & n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n capacity & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n s • • • • • • • • • * • • • • • • • • • • Text messages • • Fall sensor U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p High volume ring t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 1 1 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 7 7 1 9 6 1 1 1 0 0 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 8 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d 0 d d 0 0 0 B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B d d d d d d B B B B B B U U • • • 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 I I I 2 2 3 n n n 0 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 5 5 5 3 5 0 p p t t t d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d High volume e e e t t B B B B B B B B B B B B b b b o o s s s t t t earpiece 4 2 i i i n n n 5 5 g g g d d B B S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b Standby time and y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 Talk time 5 7 0 8 5 0 7 4 7 8 8 0 5 0 6 6 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 3 3 3 6 6 6 0 h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h r r r r r r r r r r r r s s s s s s s s s r r r r r r r r r r r s s s ...... s s s s s s s s s s s . . . T T T T T T T T T ...... T T T T T T T T T T T T T T / / / / / / / / / / / / t t t t t t t t t / / / / / / / / / / / t t t : : : : : : : : : t t t t t t t t t t t : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 8 5 4 2 8 2 7 8 4 5 5 0 0 9 9 9 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 2 2 2 4 4 4 0 m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m i i i i i i i i i n n n n n n n n n i i i n n n s s s s s s s s s i i i i i i i i i i i n n n n n n n n n n n s s s s s s s s s s s s s s 1 1 1 1 9 9 9 1 9 9 9 9 9 8 1 1 1 1 8 8 1 1 1 2 0 1 3 2 5 5 1 9 9 7 7 7 8 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 g g g 1 g g g g g g 0 5 6 0 g g 0 0 0 Weight g g g g g g g g g g g g

24 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2006 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Simplify your life!

Senior phones Easy, understandable and stylish design

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The Bea-fon handsets are available at: see hear talk SILVERPHONE www.seeheartalk.co.uk www.matobshop.co.uk www.silverphone.co.uk 26 Ads A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:53 Page 26

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Queen Alexandra College London 2010 Kensington Town Hall Hornton Street London W8 7NX Nearest Underground - High Street Kensington Tuesday 2nd November 10.00am - 4.30pm Wednesday 3rd November 10.00am - 4.00pm unmissable for end users employers professionals public sector

For people who are blind or partially sighted, professionals working in the ﬁeld and employers, QAC Sight Village exhibitions are essential sources of information and hands-on experience with technology, support services and daily living equipment. Sponsored by:

Sight Village is organised by Queen Alexandra College. A National College for People with Visual Impairment and/or Other Disabilities. www.qacsightvillage.org.uk Raising funds for QAC Registered Charity No. 1065794 27-28 Switches A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:55 Page 27

briefing At the flick of a switch Switches are designed to be simple to use, but the technology inside them is getting increasingly complex

alk about switches and the big, colourful, easy to hit Big Mack button with its ability to record and play back short Tmessages most likely springs to mind. AbleNet's Impulse The Big Mack is one of a family of digital sensory technology switch is operated products designed to engage learners by providing instant cause by electrical activity and effect. in the muscles However, it is just the tip of an increasingly sophisticated iceberg of devices, many of them at the cutting edge of off – but its power comes from the equipment – wheelchairs, technology, that are designed for people with severe limitations on communications aids, phones, computers and environmental their ability to move. controls – that it can operate. Switches come in a huge range of different sizes and shapes, And wireless technology is making it much easier for people to designed to cater for most types of movement, some of them very hook up to these gadgets. Not only is it more convenient to set up small indeed. equipment, but users have much greater freedom in how they Most switches are operated by a lever or pressure applied by position devices. They can even move from room to room someone’s head or one of their limbs in a single movement. without having to disconnect wires. Thumb switches, pneumatic pressure switches, tilt switches, proximity switches and even ‘wobble’ sticks also exist. Short range radio in action The principal of a switch may be simple – activate on, activate The Impulse Bluetooth switch is just one example of how switch

Why scanning is like a sushi bar up in front of you.” Assistive technology developers have come up with a Each item is highlighted in some way and selected by huge variety of alternatives to the standard keyboard for operating the switch. Visual or audible feedback lets controlling computers, phones and other electronic users know that they have made a successful selection. devices. In some systems switches are used to move the Users can choose from voice recognition, eye gaze highlighting, while others scan automatically. systems, head pointers, roller balls and much more. But a Selections are made by simply pressing a switch or significant group of people with particular learning and dwelling on an item. With two switches it is possible to mobility difficulties cannot use these systems. make more complex selections. They rely on scanning through a list of options and The speed at which an automatic system scans items selecting them by means of a switch. Some users can and how long it pauses on each one is vital as is the handle several switches at once, which means that they length of time a user dwells before a selection is made. can make selections and initiate actions more quickly. However, typically a user selects from a list of options FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: that are presented to him or her at a predetermined rate. I Switch Access to Technology by David Colvin and The options, such as letters, symbols, sounds or Simon Judge, published by the Ace Centre functions, can be displayed as a single line, a grid matrix www.ace-centre.org.uk or in other configurations. I Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability site on scanning “It’s a bit like a sushi bar,” say David Colvin and Simon www.switchscanning.org.uk Judge in their comprehensive guide Switch Access to I CALL (Communication Aids for Language and Technology. “You can’t reach all the dishes from where Learning) Centre you sit, and you have to wait until the one you want turns http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 27 27-28 Switches A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:55 Page 28

briefing

makers are exploiting short range radio transmissions. Impulse used and configure switches appropriately. uses an electrode to measure minute muscle contractions and send Advanced switches have their limitations, however. Bluetooth them back to a computer, allowing users to control systems with connections may be fast and convenient, but connections can be very small movements. dropped and there are also issues with powering up wireless The device, distibuted in the UK by Inclusive, gives a person Bluetooth devices. the ability to type and make mouse movements by using any Equally, systems such as Impulse require careful calibration muscle they choose. because users who can only move a few muscles often generate “Computer access unencumbered by wires and visual much larger electrical fields when they do so. limitations is now possible for persons with the most severe physical limitations, as long as they have even faint muscle control Setting the standard somewhere on their body,” says Jen Thalhuber, chief executive of Standards are essential to allowing users to connect switches to AbleNet, the company that developed Impulse. devices and to interact with the software on them. Websites, for The mouth-operated Integra Mouse is the ultimate in low example, that ignore accessibility guidelines and fail to allow easy mobility switches. It duplicates all the actions of a mouse by tabbing can make life very difficult for switch users. detecting changes in pressure in a user’s mouth cavity. It is The cost of assistive technology is always an issue. Switches activated by puffing and sipping on a pipe. start at £20, rising to £1400 for the Impulse and to more than As with many switches the Integra Mouse is usually used in £1800 for the Integra Mouse. “However, the majority of devices conjunction with an on-screen keyboard. Keyboards displayed on are at the lower end, it is only the more specialised ones that are a computer screen allow users to type and scan through the menus more expensive,” says Nadine Ferris, sales manager at supplier of a mainstream program such as Word, carrying out all the QED and a trained music therapist. actions that can be performed from a physical keyboard, Ferris points out that suppliers work closely together. “A lot of including shortcuts. companies that sell communications aids will collaborate with one Switch driver software allows switches to be used with another and recommend each other’s products to make sure the commonly used application programs including the Microsoft customer gets the right solution. “The key thing is to match the Office suite. Some programs will detect what application is being switch with the needs of a client.” I 29 Resources A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 18:58 Page 29

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Coda eases job hunting People who have a sight impairment or Career Opportunities with Disadvantage limited dexterity find it particularly Awareness (Coda) Online is an online tool difficult to send and open up messages. aimed at making the job application The company has launched the £90 process easier for prospective disabled PhoneEasy 332gsm, which allows users to employees. open up text facilities with a single The majority of job vacancies require keystroke. applicants to provide complicated CVs or “Our research shows that many mature application forms, barring people with mobile phone users find it exceptionally learning disabilities who may find small hard to navigate the small buttons and tiny faster, according to Nuance, than its two- print and complicated text difficult. text within the menus of mainstream year-old predecessor. Coda Online allows people with mobiles,” says Chris Millington, managing The program, widely used by people learning difficulties to create a CV by director of Doro UK. who have cognitive or physical difficulties answering a questionnaire. “We’ve consequently made sure that writing with a conventional keyboard, The service is the result of a two-year the texting function on this handset is as claims 99% accuracy. development process involving easy-to-use as possible. The latest version incorporates a new organisations from across Europe led by “Text messages are the single most Sidebar showing tips as well as many the UK disabled charity United Response. personal form of communication, second commands. The company says it is easier Easy-read and audio versions of the only to voice, and this phone will better to discover, remember, and access tool are also available and there is the enable the senior user to join the ‘text important Dragon features and options. opportunity for users to upload videos and revolution’ and remain better connected.” “Although we remain impressed with sound files if they wish. www.doro.com NaturallySpeaking, version 11 is more of a “We know that there are many jobs point upgrade than a major step forward,” that people with learning disabilities would Environmental interface said one reviewer. excel at – and we hope that Coda Online Hathaway Technologies has developed an “Visible changes help you to use will be a driving force in giving them the improved interface for existing NaturallySpeaking more effectively, chance to prove it,” says Diane Lightfoot, environmental control systems called particularly in terms of navigating your director of communications at United Subvenio. PC, but the underlying engine is improved Response. The intuitive interface enables disabled only marginally.” www.codaonline.com people to control automated systems for The Premium version costs £119.99, www.unitedresponse.org.uk changing channels, making telephone calls while the standard product is priced at or paging a carer using simpler controls. £69.99. Texting at a stroke Subvenio, which is Latin for assist, www.nuance.co.uk Only a third of people aged over 65 allows users to control appliances via a PC actually use the text function on their using a mouse, a switch, head movement, Human help with internet mobile phones, according to phone or voice recognition. Care products and services website maker Doro. Release two of Subvenio incorporates BeMyCareBroker.com has recruited a team the ability to send text messages and of helpers to assist people who have integrates with internet phone service difficulty using the internet to access its site. Skype. BeMyCareBroker.com, which began its Users can create floor plans and insert commercial service at the beginning of their own appliances without the need for October, features more than 40,000 care an engineer to visit their home. product and support service providers and The software runs on the Microsoft XP, allows people to research, compare and Vista and Windows 7 operating systems purchase items online. http://hathawaytechnologies.com A team of ‘care brokers’ takes calls and . assists people who are unable to use the Fresh look for Dragon internet, in finding care products and Nuance, the speech software company, has services from companies and organisations Chris Millington, UK managing refreshed its Dragon NaturallySpeaking listed on the site. director of Doro, the Swedish phone voice recognition software. http://populate.bemycarebroker. company NaturallySpeaking 11 is smarter and com

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 29 30 Resources A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 19:00 Page 30

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Walking aids to stand on Mindjet maps to Microsoft can also resist strong handling – allows firmer footing Mind mapping software that helps people children who are severely disabled to play A new type of tip for walking sticks will do organise their ideas graphically is widely music. for the crutch, walking stick and zimmer used by students and office workers with Sensors within the instrument’s soft, frame what Dyson has done for the learning difficulties such as dyslexia. tactile surface are linked to a computer, vacuum cleaner, claims its maker. The programs allow users to create which converts the way the Skoog is The £12.99 Flexyfoot, invented by visual information maps start with a touched into the sound of different British product designer David Goodwin, central theme, and then add branches with instruments, such as flute, trumpet or is intended to replace the ferrule or rubber ideas, notes, images, tasks, hyperlinks and marimba. tip on walking aids with an alternative that attachments. As a result, users can play a variety of gives better grip. Developers are now integrating their sounds on the Skoog and alter pitch, products more closely with mainstream timbre and volume with a very small range software. of movement. For instance, version 9 of Mindjet’s A single user Skoog is £500 plus VAT. £199 MindManager tool boasts better skoogmusic.com/ links with Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, and Microsoft SharePoint to Guide stays In Touch make it fit better into the way most people When Dolphin Computer Access work with documents introduced version 6 of the company’s It has an Office 2010-style ribbon simplified interface for blind users Guide, interface too, combined with multiple task it added support for Flash, the software panes and a Backstage menu with many of that adds video and animation to web the same features as the Office pages. applications. The change was introduced so that The product uses suspension Mindjet claims the updated version of vision impaired users could continue to technology to improve grip and shock MindManager will help workers inundated listen to In Touch, the BBC radio absorbency. Bellows in the Flexyfoot pivot by an overwhelming amount of content, programme presented by Peter White, on to maximise the surface area that is in communication and information that the Listen Again service. touch with the ground. stifles productivity and creativity. “The BBC used to use RealPlayer At the same time air in the bellows is www.mindjet.com technology, which is what [Dolphin progressively pressurised to absorb impact Guide] version 5 was using. And it and shock that would otherwise be Making music with Skoog changed to using Flash technology,” transferred to the user. Children who cannot use traditional explains Mary McMahon, the managing There are a range of bellow heights instruments may soon be making music of director of Dolphin Computer Access with different levels of absorbency (for their own with an invention developed at North. different activities) and four collar sizes to the University of Edinburgh. “So that’s what we did with version 6; fit the most common walking aids. The Skoog – a colourful, squeezy cube we got version 6 up to speed with Flash. Flexyfoot bends and can rotate by 360 that is sensitive to the slightest touch, but Then we had to go back and fix version 5 degrees, meaning users can easily turn on for all the people who already their walking aids. had version 5.” Goodwin designed Flexyfoot because Version 6, which has his sister, who has MS, and his 95 year old spoken menus, now has mother complained to him about the higher web page difficulties and discomfort of using their magnification, a typing walking sticks. They also found the rubber tutor and a new wizard for feet wore down much too quickly and getting users up and were difficult to change. running with email. Games He commented: “It’s a substantial are also available with the opportunity. Four million ferrules are sold package, which is also in the UK annually, but the market is very available on Dolphin’s Pen staid and most aids are very institutional.” USB stick. www.flexyfoot.com A student tests the Skoog to see what it can do www.yourdolphin.com

30 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2009 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 100% compatible

It takes skill and experience to find the right mix of technology, training and support to make IT totally accessible. AbilityNet’s reward is knowing the people we help find life has got better in all sorts of ways, from meeting challenges at school to new work opportunities, or simply being able to communicate effectively and take more control of their lives.

Sharing knowledge AbilityNet is a totally independent national charity, For further information working directly with thousands of people every please contact: year to find accessible IT solutions, no matter what AbilityNet • PO Box 94 their age or disability. We know from practical Warwick • CV34 5WS experience what works and what doesn’t, and the *Tel: 01926 312847 Fax: 01926 407425 real problems people face. As a result we now • help and support a wide variety of professionals (*Minicom accessible) who wish to extend their knowledge or solve difficult Email: [email protected] issues. For informed, impartial advice it makes http://www.abilitynet.org.uk sense to contact AbilityNet. Charity no. 1067673

AbilityNet’s one-stop shop includes free information and advice; individual assessments, installation, training and support; accessible IT kits for public access centres; courses, seminars and practical workshops; accessible web design and audit service; consultancy. 2007 Autumn Issue 67

IT at work Accessible

rsity aff dive o for st IT The worldoyers g in yourssistiv ehands Empl ts to a sales commi boost EU rs can PCs supplie ssible Keep abreast of the latest developments in w IT acce le Ho teps to s usab imple s ebsite S make w How to Accessible IT at work IT for disabled people: get Ability Magazine Issue 68 Winter 2007

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Are mobile phone firms listening to their I 33 Resources A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 19:01 Page 33

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Contacts Ability magazine Diary of events Editorial, advertising and other enquiries: [email protected] DISABILITY NORTH EXHIBITION A two-day British Dyslexia Association www.abilitymagazine.org.uk 20 – 21 October conference in London to explore the AbilityNet Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle latest research and best practice for Charity advising disabled people, Information equipment and advice for supporting and assessing individuals employers and others on assistive IT. disabled and older people. with dyslexia and other specific learning 0800 269545 Fees: Free difficulties. www.abilitynet.org.uk Tel: 0191 284 One day: £150 standard, £125 Further information: Fees: Directgov 0480, text: 18001 0191 284 0480, members. Two days: £250 standard, Government site with help on employment, email: [email protected] or £225 members. training, education, financial support, visit www.disabilitynorth.org.uk transport, rights and other issues for Further information: disabled people. [email protected] www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/ THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY index.htm INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (ATIA) NADP AUTUMN CONFERENCE: CONFERENCE Employers’ Forum on Disability SUPPORTING DISABLED LEARNERS Claims to be the world’s leading employers’ 27 – 30 October INTO PLACEMENT AND WORK organization focused on disability as it Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and 12 November affects business, including recruitment and Convention Center, Schaumburg, MacDonald Burlington Hotel, retention of disabled staff and serving Chicago disabled customers. Birmingham www.efd.org.uk The ATIA conference with 150 The conference will cover aspects of conference sessions and an exhibition of supporting disabled students both into Emptech new products features three educational hgher education and into the workplace A database that provides information resources on assistive technologies, which events under one roof. including a presentation from Access Full price is $525 for three days are designed to help those with specific Fees: to Work. disabilities work and study. Emptech www.atia.org Further information: Fees: Members £165, non-members includes product descriptions, links to £190 manufacturers, suppliers’ addresses, as BRITISH DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION well as other related resources. Further information: www.nadp- www.emptech.info EMPLOYER’S CONFERENCE – uk.org/events SEEING IT DIFFERENTLY IT Can Help 2 November Volunteers offering disabled people free RECENT ADVANCES IN ASSISTIVE Waterloo, London local help with computers. This one-day conference focuses on the TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING 0800 269545 www.itcanhelp.org.uk visual perception aspects of dyslexia and (RAATE) 29 November assesses the costs and benefits of Leonard Cheshire providing reasonable adjustments for University of Warwick Conference Disability care charity providing support employees. Professor John Stein, from Centre services for people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. the University of Oxford, will be the RAATE 2010 is a UK conference focused on the latest innovations and 020 3242 0200 conference keynote speaker and will www.lcdisability.org present on the topic of visual processing developments in assistive technology. and dyslexia. The conference will be of interest to Shaw Trust everyone who uses, works with, Charity that champions the abilities of Fees: £249 plus VAT. 10% discount for develops or conducts research on disabled people, enabling over 60,000 members. people per year experiencing all types of Further information: assistive technologies. disability to make the most of their skills, [email protected] Fees: £125 inc VAT. abilities and employment opportunities. Further information: www.raate.org.uk 01225 716300 www.shaw-trust.org.uk QAC SIGHT VILLAGE LONDON 2 – 3 November LEARNING DISABILITY TODAY Suitability Kensington Town Hall LONDON EXHIBITION Services to help employers fill vacancies and disabled people to get jobs. Part of This exhibition showcases technology, 8 December charity Leonard Cheshire Disability. support and services for people who are Business Design Centre, London 0845 671 7173 blind or visually impaired. Sight Village, Learning Disability Today is celebrating www.lcdsuitability.org.uk run by Queen Alexandra’s College in 10 years of working to improve the lives of people with learning disability, at the Remploy Birmingham, has grown into a series of Employment services for disabled people exhibitions round the country. biggest Learning Disability Today and employers, plus other business Fees: None exhibition yet. services, including IT equipment recycling. Further information: Fees: £35. Free for people with learning www.remploy.co.uk www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage-london disabilities, unwaged and family carers. U Can Do IT Further information: A charity that provides computer training DYSLEXIA EXPLORED- LONDON 2010 www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk, for blind, deaf and disabled people in their 5 – 6 November tel: 0844 880 5061 or email own homes. 020 7730 7766 London Irish Centre, Camden [email protected]. www.ucandoit.org.uk

www.abilitymagazine.org.uk Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2010 33 34 Carey On A79:Layout 1 1/10/10 19:02 Page 38

x carey on

... and the living’s been easy

Kevin Carey argues that in a cost cutting climate regulation saves money now

n such turbulent times as these, it is Apple didn’t incorporate text-to-speech difficult to write a piece in July that will into devices out of the kindness of their Istill be relevant when you read this, heart but out of the need to sell their drowning in blood as the cuts axe falls; but lovely computers to state education I will try. purchasers. First, one axe that I confidently predict The fact that this accessibility feature will not fall is that of Martha Lane Fox has become viral is a wonderful bonus who, as Digital Champion, recommended which only goes to show that you can pile in her Manifesto for a Networked Nation ’em high and sell ’em dear even with the that any Government website that is not extra expense of text-to-speech. fit for purpose (accessible, usable etc) should be switched off. Initial impetus But the moral of this tale is still that Looking for commitment regulation rather than maximising As just about none of them are – even shareholder value was the initial impetus those in the Directgov site – this would for accessibility. So this is an excellent time cause absolute chaos. It does, however, to goad Microsoft into competitive underline my point in the Summer 2010 Kevin Carey is director of overdrive. edition (Ability 78) that nothing serious HumanITy, a UK charity formed to The problem with the cuts regime is will happen in accessibility until the foster digital inclusion for disabled that, as I have noted before, this is not the Government commits to some 100% on- and other disadvantaged people. time to spend now to save later, so we need line services. Only then will civil servants www.humanity.org.uk to be very clear that we are not asking for stop running away. Government to comply retroactively with Even though Ed Vaizey’s refusal to accessibility standards but to stick strictly regulate television audio description makes to a policy of forward compliance. little difference in practice, as the Ofcom the use of public money to overcome ‘wild Martha’s strictures sound great but recommendation for 20% has been west’ digital incompatibility so that people they would have been more realistic if she superseded by most major broadcasters, it with disabilities can access data through had specified that no new site or major is still troubling because it underlines a the use of generic and access technology. upgrade can be switched on without its major fallacy of the coalition that all being tested and shown to be fit for regulation is bad and costly. Proportional regulation purpose. You only have to think of the current And later I’m sitting somewhere else in What we have to show is that hassle over mobile phone chargers to know BIS being told that regulation of IT, even regulation saves money now. This is not that some regulation is both good and cost in the context of public procurement, just going to be easy but, as I said at a recent saving. There was a similar ideological won’t do; and I mention the success of seminar: “If you can’t solve the problem, block when railways were beginning but regulation in television, with just about no don’t draw the salary,” a remark which, not we soon got over that. push-back from the industry and propose surprisingly, was met with stony silence. The superior west coast standard of we think about proportionate regulation During the past 15 years it’s been Brunel had to give way to the more widely for accessibility. summertime and the living’s been easy, not used, narrower gauge, just as Betamax gave I cite USA 508 and Apple and am told, only financially but also intellectually. The way to VHS. Airport shops are still by somebody from the disability sector, sector needs to get a move on but shows turning a tidy penny on mains plug/socket not to exaggerate the impact of 508 on no sign of it; but there will come a point, converters. Apple and am forced to reply that without not long from now – if it isn’t happening So I’m sitting in the Department of it we would not have talking iPhones or already – when nostalgia won’t be Business, Innovation and Skills discussing iPads. affordable as we make our own cuts. I

38 Ability Issue 79 | Autumn 2008 www.abilitymagazine.org.uk expand your world expandachievement through technology your world

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