Post on 03-Aug-2015
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Visual Impairment and Computing
AbilityNet Webinar
9 June 2015
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Visual Impairment and Computing
At home, at work, in education
How can technology help?
What are the options?
Who can it help?
What are the costs?
Your questions
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Welcome
Mary Steiner
AbilityNet
Mark Walker AbilityNet
Robin Christopherson AbilityNet
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Helping disabled people
• At Home
• At Work
• In Education
• On the Web
My Computer My Way
Tech4Good Awards
AbilityNetAdapting Technology. Changing Lives.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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What are the options?
• Specialist Software
• Specialist Hardware
• Built In Options
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Learn more on YouTube!
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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
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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
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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
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Training
• Learn new tools – hardware and software
• Customise the software
• Adapt your workflow
• Adapt your workplace
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How to Adjust Your Computer
www.mycomputermyway.com
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Visual Impairment and Computing
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
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Questions?
Next AbilityNet webinars
Dealing with hearing impairment in the workplace, 1pm, Tues 7th July
www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars
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Contact Us
sales@abilitynet.org.uk
+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