Hi DomThanks. That is a very good link which I am finding useful.
Regards
John
From: Dominique Farrell <hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx>
To: irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxx
Cc: fb-exchange@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, 21 August 2016, 17:47:13
Subject: [fb-exchange] Robin's Blog: The Power of Technology | RNIB |
Supporting people with sight loss
https://www.rnib.org.uk/nb-online/blog-the-power-of-technology?utm_campaign=robinchristophersontechnologyblog&utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=nbonline&utm_term
Robin's Blog: The Power of Technology
Post date:
Monday, 15 August 2016
Robin Christopherson is Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet, and a
technology enthusiast. He knows first-hand how empowering technology can be for
people with sight loss.
Here, Robin introduces some of the in-built accessibility features he uses for
PC and tablet and his favourite apps for smartphones.
Technology on the move
Itâs hard to imagine how technology couldnât improve the range of choices
and quality of life available for people with sight loss. We now have the power
of a computer in our pockets wherever we go thanks to smartphone technology.
When one or more senses donât work, it can be incredibly empowering to be
able to access a range of artificial sensors like the camera and GPS on a
smartphone.
In the past, people with sight loss had to purchase expensive and often
relatively limited devices. As a blind person, I relied on a talking GPS
(£750), a talking notetaker (£1500), a talking MP3 player (£250), a talking
barcode scanner (£100) and many more specialist devices â all that had to be
carried around in a backpack and each with their own charger.
Now, I have all that functionality and an awful lot more in one device.
Mainstream gadgets such as smartphones often come with accessibility features
built-in and which offer thousands of apps that do the same functions,
conveniently, for a fraction of the price.
That same device is also almost infinitely expandable with each new app or
service thatâs developed. What can be tricky though, is knowing the full
extent of the accessibility possibilities on offer.
Smartphones â working extra hard for us
Of course, many people with vision impairment are older and not as familiar
with technology as younger âdigital-nativesâ. But itâs almost universally
the case that apps are easier to use than websites. In addition, smartphones or
tablets donât need the same antivirus or malware protection or complex and
variable ways of installing software.
Instead, smartphone users can browse thousands of apps on the Play Store
(Android) or App Store (iOS), read a description of what it does and download
the app within a matter of seconds, many of which are free of charge. Each app
is then saved to the phone and free to open whenever the user wants to use it.
There are also ways of setting up or even limiting what someone can do on their
device so that they donât feel overwhelmed.
Accessibility built-in
For people who use a PC, Apple computer, smartphone or tablet there are a huge
number of built-in accessibility features that can help meet the userâs
particular needs. In my opinion, Apple leads the way here, but there are useful
features on all devices and the gap is closing fast.
For step-by-step guides to features and settings, please visit AbilityNetâs
online resource called My Computer My Way (and donât be fooled by the name
â it covers iOS and Android too).
My favourite accessible apps
Smartphones or tablets are a gateway to literally tens of thousands of apps
that are both accessible and incredibly useful.
This could be an extremely long article if I covered all the apps commonly used
by blind and partially sighted people so Iâm going to focus on my top few.
Light Detector
Iâm starting with the simplest. The Light Detector app will transform any
natural or artificial light source that it encounters into sound. Open the app
and point the camera in any direction. You will hear a higher or lower sound
depending upon the intensity of the light. Itâs ideal for telling if lights
are on or off or if the oven has reached temperature.
Talking Goggles
This app couldnât be more useful. Open the app and point the camera at an
object or some text (it works best with larger print) and Talking Goggles will
speak out what it is. I use it for all packages or jars in my kitchen, shops or
signs when Iâm out and to help me read menus in restaurants. I find it
indispensable.
KNFB Reader
With the touch of a button, the KNFB Reader uses your smartphone camera to take
a photo and it will read virtually any type of printed text within the photo
including mail, receipts, classroom handouts, memos and also books for
pleasure. It can cost quite a bit (usually around £49 depending upon offers)
but is specifically designed to accurately recognise print of all sizes and
layouts. Users can also save documents to read later at a later date.
Aipoly
Aipoly uses artificial intelligence to identify up to three objects a second.
Open the app and hold it up to the thing that needs identifying. Thereâs no
need to snap pictures as the app will constantly see, think and describe what
itâs being pointed at. It should be a huge help around the house and when out
and about and actually improves as you use it.
Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is an app that connects blind people with volunteers from around the
world via live video chat. When the user needs a person, rather than a computer
program to explain a label or expiry date, open the app and simply tap on the
âContact next available helperâ button. Within a few seconds the user will
be connected with a volunteer helper from across the internet. Use the camera
to point at the object for example reading ingredients of a recipe. The helper
can hear the userâs voice and will respond by speaking back. Get friends to
download the app too and they can offer their services as a sighted volunteer.
BlindSquare
This app is probably the best GPS for blind and partially sighted users. As
well as giving spoken directions as the user walks, it describes the
environment, announces points of interest and street intersections as you
travel. It can also be swung around like the old tricorders on Star Trek to be
pointed directly where the user wants to go.
Vokul
This app really comes into its own for people who are both blind and severely
motor-impaired â although anyone can use it. It is a very powerful way of
controlling a wide range of functions (such as writing and reading texts,
sending tweets and emails, and playing music, podcasts and audio books) purely
by voice. Everything is spoken back giving a completely hands-free, eyes-free
operation.
VORail
This app puts the user in touch with a huge community of others with sight
loss. VORail is like Facebook for audio-users. People can easily post or listen
to recorded questions, comments or discussions on a wide range of topics â or
just start new topics.
These are just a few of my favourite apps that I find help me on a day to day
basis. The apps Iâve mentioned suit my lifestyle but I know they may not be
for everyone. However, I would encourage people with sight loss to try out
different technology and apps that suit them so they can benefit from some of
the great options available out there.
Further information
Visit AppleVis for more in-depth information and reviews of hundreds of the
most commonly used accessible apps.
For more information, advice or guidance from Robin, please feel free to call
0800 269545 or email enquiries@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Watch a film of Robin
speaking about technology.
AbilityNet is the UK charity that helps disabled people including those with
sight loss to use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their
devices.
Online Today is a Big Lottery funded RNIB project to help more people with
sensory loss to use technology in their day to day lives. Online Today is
supporting people across the UK from home visits by trained volunteers to
locally run group sessions, training and one-to-one support.Â
Tags NB Online
It's packed full of information about the latest news, views and developments
in the eye health and sight loss sectors.
Sent from my iPhone
===========================================================
The fb-exchange mailing list
Manage account, subscribe or unsubscribe:
//www.freelists.org/list/fb-exchange
Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/fb-exchange ;
Administrative contact: insight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
===========================================================
The fb-exchange mailing list
Manage account, subscribe or unsubscribe:
//www.freelists.org/list/fb-exchange
Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/fb-exchange ;
Administrative contact: insight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
