Tim,
Interesting point you raise. In Loughlinstown Training Centre, Dublin,
the gym training assistants prepared a removable template that I had
to bring into the session with me. This was a transparent sheet of
thickish plastic cut to fit snugly between the edge trims on top of
the manufacturers plastic covering so that it could not move about.
They raised bumps on the sheet with the aid of much rubbing at the
underside of the sheet with a biro top.
Each bump was located over a button on the permanent control panel.
The nuisance was that I had to wait for the staff to find the
templates every time I wanted to use the gym. The positive side was
that I could control the machine as I wished.
In the course of time the templates were lost and staff interest faded.
This brings another point to mind! I was told by gym staff in the
esplanade in bray that their insurance required that a staff member be
by my side every minute that I was training in case I might have an
accident. Have any of you heard that? This used to irritate me no end.
It was fine while the person on duty was pleasant and knew how to keep
at a distance or had something interesting to discuss. It was
appalling when there was any tension and I preferred to be alone.
All the best,
Cearbhall
"Good design enables - Bad design disables"
Tel: 01-2864623 Mob: 087 9922227 Em: cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tim Culhane
Sent: 30 July 2007 09:27
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi Ccearbhall,
I can tell you now that gym managers are not going to be too keen if
you take a sharp stylus and start scratching their nice new fancy
The same goes for putting super glue on the surface.
I have attempted to use those bump ons you can get from NCBI.
However, the surface of the control pannel for these machines is
deliberately non stick, and the bump ons don't stay in place for
long.
What I've resorted to doing is putting some blue tack on the buttons,
and then putting the bump ons over the blue tack. This seems to
work, but I doubt it will last for long.
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Cearbhall O
Meadhra
Sent: 29 July 2007 23:46
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Dear Martin,
I am, like you , very disappointed to hear that other users are
vandalising the equipment that you worked so hard to get adapted.
Thinking about this issue, I really cannot see why a special template
is necessary. I strongly believe that we should not support those who
are producing such expensive solutions.
As I see it, the point of the template is to allow you to find the
contact area by touch. This is information that you know by its
location. Either it is on the top row, in the middle or along the
bottom edge. It will also be in the centre or to the left or to the
right.
Arrows are useful for visual prompts. I think they are not necessary
for tactile prompts. If the user knows what function the button is to
operate, then they should recognise it by its position.
I can think of two very cheap ways to convey the tactile information.
1. A tiny bump on the plastic surface. This can be produced by the tip
of a sharp knife or by a tiny blob of a quick setting glue such as
superglue.
2. By a circle surrounding the tactile area of the button. This can be
raised by scratching a circle with a stylus such as that used in
Braille graphics. Equally, it can be achieved by using an overlay of a
thick plastic sheet in which holes have been made exactly over the
buttons.
Obviously, the manufacturer could solve the whole thing by moulding
the plastic sheet as part of its production process. In that case,
there would be no cost at all.
I think arrows on the template meet the need of visual service
providers to convey the visual information to the blind user. The
problem with this is that the blind person is not operating in a
visual mode but rather is operating in a non-visual mode. Would I be
mistaken, Martin, if I say that, although the other users have picked
off the arrows on the template which you use, their removal makes
absolutely no difference to your knowledge of which button to press
and when to do so?
All the best,
Cearbhall
"Good design enables - Bad design disables"
Tel: 01-2864623 Mob: 087 9922227 Em: cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Flor Lynch
Sent: 29 July 2007 20:57
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Ah, it sounds like some people are over-exerting themselves a bit in
that-there gym! <sorry 'bout that>
----- Original Message -----
From: "martin kelly" <mrmartinkelly@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 8:30 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hello Susanne!
I could tell you lots of wee stories around the infamous template but
rather than bothering you with insignificant drivel, i 'll just cut to
the chase...
As far as I know, there are several companies in the market for
supplying adaptive gym equipment and I vaguely remember telling my
local gym of the availability of such templates. Like most stuff
which is specially produced for the disability sector, these templates
cost far more than necessary but unfortunately, us guys have to pay a
premium for any accessories that help us to get on with life.
I'm not sure where your gym is located but as Mike Meany already
pointed out, a chat with the appropriate member of staff could sovve
the accessibility problem for you guys. I was on "my treadmill"
earlier today (in the gym) and I discovered that a second arrow has
been removed from the template which cannot be an easy task. Its a
shame that other gym users need to interfere with the template, as it
doesn't cause the "normal user"
the least bit of bother.
Anyway, I suggest that you ask the gym staff about purchasing this
piece of access to technology for you guys and if there is any problem
about locating a template provider, just let me know and I'll get more
detailed information for you.
Yours in sport
Martin K.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Curry" <SusanCurry@xxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 2:17 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
hi martin,
where did you get the template, did you have to purchase it? or was
it a company of some sorts?
this would prove to be most useful to joe and i as we attend the gym
three days a week and we are unable to work the tredmills ourselves.
susan
----- Original Message -----
From: "martin kelly" <mrmartinkelly@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2007 4:59 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Cearbhaill!
I became aware of various adaptations to gym equipment when i
attended an Adaptive Physical Activity (APA) Conference in Kerry in
May 2005. On that occasion, there were a number of companies
exhibiting different types of adaptive equipment aimed at the
disability sector, including, templates for making digital displays
accessible to VIP users. As you can imagine, there was a pretty
serious premium on all of the gear on display and these templates
don't come cheap. So! I was quite satisfied when my Gym agreed to
purchase one for me.
These templates sit over the visual display and have raised arrows
(up and down) to allow the user to alter the various options on the
treadmill...the incline, speed and so on. For the "normal user" to
pick off these arrows is quite difficult so the culprit must ider be
bored on the treadmill or have annalistic tendencies to undertake
such destruction of public property.
In a nutshell...the templates are relatively expensive, quite
indestructable but really effective for the VIP user.
Don't hesitate if you wish to pursue this area any further as I am
keen to promote access for al...by the way, the gym (Sports Centre)
installed a lift earlier this year after we at NAG (Newbridge Access
Group) highlighted the need for a lift for many years. So the good
news is that things are changing, even if it is needs nagging and
letter writing to bring it about.
Cheerio just now
Martin K
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cearbhall O Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2007 4:09 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Interesting!
Did the gym mention an actual figure for the adaptation? It would
be useful to know how many machines are involved.
I would be interested to know just what the template looks like if
you don't mind explaining it? I would think that a template
consisting of a plastic sheet with holes where the buttons go would
be sufficient to give a blind person access to the buttons and give
the others nothing to pick at.
What do
you think?
All the best,
Cearbhall
"Good design enables - Bad design disables"
Tel: 01-2864623 Mob: 087 9922227 Em:
cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of martin kelly
Sent: 28 July 2007 15:12
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi again Cearbhaill
Thank you for getting back with such a considered response to the
question of making products accessible to VIPs...
Having had a similar experience to Tim, i felt that he should at
least be aware of the adaptions to treadmills etc. While the ideal
would be to place templates on all of the equipment in the
particular suite, the cost of this small effort at reasonable
accommodation was highlighted to me.
Naturally,
I advised that the Gym purchase bumper dots to overcome my
difficulty but my advice was ignored. Would you believe that
people are picking off the raised arrows on my particular template
so you can just imagine what would happen with bumper dots.
Don't worry, i have my own supply of chewing gum to stick on the
treadmill if the occasion arises
Keep up the good work on advocating for universal design and some
day we will all have nothing to moan about...don't you agree?
Martin K
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cearbhall O Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2007 1:42 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi Martin,
I have struggled for years to get my gym to provide a template but
without success. The problem with a fixed template is that you are
forced to use only one particular machine. Why not ask for a
template to be put on every screen. If you are right and nobody
notices the adaptation then it shouldn't interfere with anyone's
use of any machine which has your template on it.
I have such a machine at home. This has a flexible plastic cover
on it and
I
found that I could rub my finger around and feel the button
underneath the cover on a good day. Other days I could not find
the buttons. Finally, I got my 10 year old to glue tiny points of
superglue on the plastic cover, carefully placed over the centre
of the buttons. Now I have free and easy access to all the
controls!
This could also be done in the gym don't you think? Tiny spots
like this leave the visual appearance unchanged and leave the
surface easy to clean.
All the best,
Cearbhall
"Good design enables - Bad design disables"
Tel: 01-2864623 Mob: 087 9922227 Em:
cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of martin
kelly
Sent: 28 July 2007 10:46
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi Tim!
As I'm just home after the hols. you have probably sorted out your
difficulties around using your ultra modern treadmill but I'll
tell you my story as it may help other folk in the same position...
My Gym went up-market and replaced all the older but very tangible
screens with the latest versions of these machines. However,
after requesting that one of the treadmills be made accessible to
VIPs, I eventually needed to suggest that the Equality Authority
would be interested in this type of localised discrimination. I
had made enquiries (and seen) various templates which have been
designed to address this very problem and I informed the "powers
that be" their existence.
To make a long story shorter, I can now work away on my own with
the aid of the template, the only problem is that other folk don't
even realise that the machine has been adapted and hop on board
although several others are lying idle. So! i occasionally need
to ask folk to move over but in a "nice way" so that everyone can
get the best from their membership fees.
You've excuse now Tim, so stay up with the pace?
Martin K
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Harper" <goat@xxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:31 AM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi tim I fully sympathise, but I suspect the reason is that with
everything covered by smooth plastic there is less to get gunged
up and go wrong and
its probably easier to give a touch screen a wipe down. But I
doubt
many
of the things which have touch screens will survive long enough
for that to be really significant.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Tim Culhane
Sent: 11 July 2007 09:37
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] What's so wrong with buttons?
Hi,
*** warning this is a major rant, so if you're not in the mood
then delete this now ***
I was told in the gym I go to last week that they were getting
new threadmills this week. Sure enough, when I arrived in last
night, there they were.
I had made a private bet with myself that these new machines
would be the type that use touch sensitive controls, rather than
good old fashioned buttons. And guess what, I've had to pay out
to myself!
The control pannel on the machines is a featureless mass of
smooth plastic.
Even if your fingers had the sensitivity of an exposed root canal
treatment, I doubt they would be able to detect the buttons on
the machine.
I just can't understand what designers of these devices have
against
buttons. Ironically the only button on the machine is the stop
button,
which is a huge plastic affair which you could probably press
with your elbow, let alone your finger.
It seems that more and more these days buttons are just not the
in thing.
For example, Apple's new IPhone has a touch sensitive screen
rather than the traditional phone keypad. The machines which
were slated for use in electronic voting had touch sensitive
controls and now even the damn threadmills can survive without
a button in sight .... Or even touch.
Where will it all end? Even now somewhere I bet they are
designing
shirts
which have coloured dots on the material which you line up in
order to "button" up your shirt. The fire alarms will have a
helpful notice beside them saying brake glass and move your
finger gently over the green circle below. I'll be there, flames
licking around my legs, trying to find the green circle.
Oh for the days of nice clearly discernable buttons. The nice
big
square
plastic ones, or those funny shaped squishy rubber ones. I even
had
a
remote control once where the buttons were actually in the shape
of the print numerals!
Its not even that the threadmill control pannel is particularly
small or
the display screen needs to be particularly big. I reckon you
could
fit
a
decent size piano keyboard on to the control pannel. So I have
to assume that the only reason these machines are designed in
this way is to make them look "fancy".
Just another example of design for nobody except those with a
pathelogical hatred of buttons.
Anyway, I'll finish up now, but if I ever meet one of these
anti button designers, I'll personally burn their eyes out with
a red hot poker and then make them use there "fancy" new
machines.
Tim
-------------------------
Tim Culhane,
Critical Path Ireland,
42-47 Lower Mount Street,
Dublin 2.
Direct line: 353-1-2415107
phone: 353-1-2415000
Tim.culhane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.criticalpath.net
Critical Path
a global leader in digital communications
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