[access-uk] Re: More Sight Village and In touch
- From: "Graham Page" <gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:19:30 +0100
on this subject, I am quite into System Access and freedom box as the user
is kept somewhere near the idea of a screenreader which means that growing
into a screenreader should be quite easy. To be honest, the product
contains a pretty useful screenreader anyway for general tasks that many
home users would want.
I personally would never recommend guide unless it has changed radically
from a year ago. I am a little uncomfortable with giving someone a
radically different computer experience just because they are blind. What
if something goes wrong? no one, apart from the supplier is likely to have
a clue about how to get such a closed system up and working. Far better to
use products already provided or available and start off by training a user
very clearly in terms of what the user needs to know.
I can imagine however that this has been quite a debate withinn BCAB.
Cheers
Graham
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 2:17 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village and In touch
On the subject of Sight Village and IN Touch generally, we should be wary of
stereotyping older people as dwelling in a sort of pre Hi Tech world. I
know of at least a couple of folk in their sixties and a little beyond that
who've taken to emailing and the net and enjoyed the challenge of it,
including screen readers. The more mainstream, not specifically disability
needs type organisations, are doing their bit too in promoting 'Silver
surfing' aimed at drawing in older folk to I T.
In Touch have done a feature too on Guide and Freedom box re. B CAB and
their officially launch of these products as carrying the seal of approval
by the established organisations. This trend, and the unstoppable
daisification of reading material should be things worth covering without a
shiny technology label being stuck on them.
Many now are reaching retirement age having accommodated new forms of
communication, some on this list. the same can be said of the acceptance of
mobile phones because they are so obviously useful. that is one area where
I personally lag behind a bit. I still do not have much use for texting,
and I have lived enough of life to feel that a mobile isn't an integral part
of life that I feel compelled to talk and text endlessly.
I do feel that in all this discussion of SV and high tech coverage that we
tend to se the technology as almost a subject in itself, rather than the
practical uses of it that run across all areas of life. Work, for those
lucky enough to have it; leisure for reading, including enjoyment of books;
taking notes, at home or while on the move. Even traditional things like
cooking and gardening and other pastimes probably don't escape the intrusion
of 'technology'.
Often now though I despair of what I might call 'journo speak'. This is
where 'technology' is used to mean something new, almost magical and
definitely 'sexy'. Any new gadget is a 'technology' or a new twist or a
novel innovation in a program is a technology'. .Its laziness and, not to
blame IN Touch, but we shouldn't be surprised if they fall into this trap
too.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf
Of George Bell
Hi Ray,
An interesting choice of words, "relevant to death-blind".
(Smile)
Speaking as a dealer, I am encouraged by how many elderly
people are actually venturing into the hi-tech world. For
many, it may be basic to you and me, but even a digital
recorder counts.
But picture your own self now. Will you hang up your
keyboard when you collect your first pension book?
George.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ray's Home
Sent: 24 July 2006 20:37
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village and In touch
Yes, I think the facts around visual impairment and
blindness are pretty well established and HMSO has been
mentioned, and within their publications the oldish OPCS
survey for one has lots of relvevant info.
RNIB itself has done quite a few surveys and reports over
the years too. In Touch will have ready access to these
sources and other material.
Interesting that, as far as I know, RNIB doesnt have a very
accurate idea of how many Braille readers there are in the
UK. That's particularly relevant to death-blind people and
I believe I recall one or two features In Touch has done
around deaf-blindess in the not too distant past.
I say, and with no great enthusiasm, that In Touch might be
right to be mindful of older people and those who are not
into I T. I think the programme is going to have to address
such issues as the more rapid move to digital media.
Reluctant many maybe to make the move, but nonetheless
reports on addressing this issue by inovations in computer
tech, training, and national and local initiatives, will
make for interesting features which I hope we'll hear
something of soon. My little contribution to the Sight
Village thread was motivated by such an interest.
I must say the programme stil has an air of blind welfare
department about it, at least to me, but maybe I'm not
getting old gracefully enough!
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf
The facts and statistics are all available in an HMSO
Publication.
George.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Derek Hornby
Sent: 24 July 2006 17:30
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village
Ian says:
"Fact, the vast majority of people over 65 have no
independent income and live on their state pension. Fact,
While it's true that some older people have embraced
technology, the vast majority simply don't get or haven't
had the opportunity. Fact, the vast majority of people of
that age who lose their sight have things more central to
their lives to worry about than computers like using their
electric kettle safely, feeding themselves, getting out and
avoiding isolation.
Finally what evidence do you have to the contrary?"
Non, that is why I am not making unproven assumptions.
There is no proof all of the above it true, just as there is
no proof that all of the above is false.
But anyway this is going off topic and is more suitable for
a political debating list.
Regards,
Derek
e-mail: derek.hornby_uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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