Visual Impairment and Computing - webinar slides 9 June 2015

Find these slides at www.slideshare.net/abilitynet More info: www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars

Visual Impairment and Computing

AbilityNet Webinar

9 June 2015

Find these slides at www.slideshare.net/abilitynet More info: www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars 2


At home, at work, in education

How can technology help?

What are the options?

Who can it help?

What are the costs?

Your questions


Welcome

Mary Steiner

AbilityNet

Mark Walker AbilityNet

Robin Christopherson AbilityNet


Helping disabled people

• At Home

• At Work

• In Education

• On the Web

My Computer My Way

Tech4Good Awards

AbilityNetAdapting Technology. Changing Lives.


Understanding Visual Impairment

• Almost two million people in the UK live with sight loss

• Includes those that have uncorrected refractive error or cataract that may be reversed

• Includes around 360,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted who have severe and irreversible sight loss

• Sight loss affects people of all ages but especially older people


Impact of Visual Impairment

Hidden disability

• Not always clear who may need help

• Symbol canes

Practical issues

• Eg mobility, reading

Emotional response

• Social issues and isolation

• Sense of independence


Impact on Common Tasks

• Reading documents

• Browsing the web

• Producing a letter or report

• Sending messages

• Making a call

• Working on a spreadsheet

• Data entry


Making Reasonable Adjustments

Not just an IT issue

Employers have a responsibility

Legal risks if they are not pro-active

• Duty of care

• Not specifically about disabled people

• Could be linked to Equality Act 2010

• Reasonable Adjustments


What Support Is Available?

At Work

• Access to Work

At Home

• PIP and DLA

• More accessible mainstream devices

In Education

• HE: Disabled Students Allowances (DSA)

• School/FE: Disability adviser


What are the options?

• Specialist Software

• Specialist Hardware

• Built In Options


How Technology Can HelpInput To The Computer

Touch typing

Large print and hi-vis keys

• NB keys themselvesare standard size

And sometimes…

• Speech recognition

… although usually not relevant because it can be more complicated


How Technology Can HelpOutput From The Computer

Large monitor and/or monitor arm

Better contrast, reduced glare, better colours

Magnification software eg ZoomText

Magnifier and reader software

Screenreader outputting to speech and/or Braille display eg Jaws


How Technology Can HelpReading Printed Materials

Large print, hand held magnifiers, lighting

Video magnifiers, sometimes called CCTVs

• Desktop and portable

• Some include speech output

Scanning and OCR, then read using computer


One Size Doesn’t Fit All

For example:

Magnifying things on the screen of your computer

• Hardware options: eg large monitor

• Software options: eg ZoomText

• Built-in Options: every computer


Learn more on YouTube!


Who It Can Help?

Robin Christopherson

• Head of Digital Inclusion

• No sight at all

• Guide dog user

• Busy job – lots of travelling

• Works from home and from the office

• Reports, emails, phone calls, presentations, videos, etc


Examples of what Robin uses

• Speech output – Jaws, VoiceOver

• Reading – try to avoid paper!

• Apps – KNFB Reader, Talking Goggles, Apple Maps

• iOS8 + VoiceOver

• Bluetooth keyboard

• Mac and PC


Jack

• Mid-30s

• Call centre in a travel agent

• Booking holidays

• Congenital but progressive condition

• Needs high level of magnification

• Reading brochures and using database for bookings

• Bad back – may be related?

What we recommended

• Large monitor and monitor arm

• ZoomText Magnifier Reader

• Desktop Video Magnifier for reading brochures

Who It Can Help


Training

• Learn new tools – hardware and software

• Customise the software

• Adapt your workflow

• Adapt your workplace


How to Adjust Your Computer

www.mycomputermyway.com



One size does not fit all!

• Could include built in solutions, specialist software or specialist hardware

• Could be mobile or desktop

• Depends on preferences, context, tasks, budget, etc

• Look for specialist advice and support

• Training, trial and error, regular review

• Especially as tech changes fast


Questions?

Next AbilityNet webinars

Dealing with hearing impairment in the workplace, 1pm, Tues 7th July

www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars


Contact Us

[email protected]

+44 (0)1926 465 247

@abilitynet

Next AbilityNet Webinars

Dealing with hearing impairment in the workplace, 1pm, Tues 7th July

Sign up at www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]