Hi Ray, Firstly apologies for being rather defensive. You know how it goes
you write an email and when you read it back later it comes across a lot
harsher than was intended.
I agree that complete independence is difficult if not impossible, however I
do think that the underlying point in the chip and pin machines discussion
is that not enough forethought was taken in to their accessibility when they
were being designed. I think we generally agree that more could have been
done to make them easier to use, even if not incorporating speech.
My own preference however was for speech incorporation in both these
machines and automatic ticket machines.as well. That in my opinion would
have made them fully useable and accessible.
What we really need is a standard speech chip which would be incorporated in
to all these types of equipment.
Just on the Braille menues point, only a small minority of us can read them
and although I find them very useful good staff in this case is probably
more useful. But staff get employed not because of their ability to read but
their cheapness. And your right about Braille menues not being able to keep
up with rapid changes. Perhaps another good use for the internet?
And finally I really can't understand why we're still experimenting with
talking ATMs. Its another one of those examples where the states are way
ahead of us.
Just to return to chip and pin I do prefer it to signatures. Fraud is
decreased and it is less of a hastle. My concern is that its a relatively
new product which has appeared when accessibility and inclusivity are
supposed to be given increased priority and I don't see it happening.
Yusuf
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 11:23 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: Disabled People and Chip and Pin
Well Yusuf, I was making a general point arising out of my impression that it
might be a proud sort of independence with some as to why they are less than
happy with help from a cashier or whoever. In any case, I believe that when
you come to think about it 'independence' in a strictly self-sufficient
interpretation is pretty unworkable anyway.
As for Braille menus, well we could start another thread there. I can read
Braille, and I also benefit from large print, but I do not really feel
affronted by the lack of menus in either of these formats. I'm happy to take
up staff time with someone going through the menu, or a friend doing so.
Admittedly there is an art to how they are read out, i.e. I prefer them to go
through the headings first, and when I've ascertained the things I definitely
am not interested in we can go through the things I am interested in. Its not
ideal, but I cannot for the life of me envisage Braille in particular keeping
up with every change in a menu which might occur in the space of a few weeks or
less.
In short, I'd far rather have proper staffing levels and staff who are well
chosen for their patience and willingness to be helpful, rather than stand on
the principle of accessible formats in these situations.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
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