[access-uk] Re: Access in libraries and spending choices
- From: "Dave Taylor" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:11:30 +0100
I completely agree with all that. But for over 65s who don't own a computer,
how are they going to be able to use it anyway, especially if the staff
don't know what they are doing? They *must* address training needs if they
want to make it work, yet another expense. There is no screen reader that
somebody who doesn't know about computers could just use to access anything
really, though Jaws does give the most helpful info for such people if you
ask me.
Cheers
Dave
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Rays Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:11 AM
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Access in libraries and spending choices
Agree with the bulk of what's been said below, and the wider issue of
inaccessability of devices using visual displays has become critical in the
growing exclusion we're facing.
I would just say that computer ownership and use seems to fall off very
markedly in the older age groups, say over 65s. The vast majority of people
I know who are below that age do have PCs with access software so I don't
know that cost to personal users debars that many for those under
pensionablel age. Still, cost is linked to the access software you want and
there are more cost-effective solutions to JFW that really work well these
days, not to mention the free offerings. I'd be in favour of a flat £400
grant every four or five years to meet a proportion of access tech costs.
My reasoning being that those out of work need access to IT every bit as
much as those in work or education.
I must emphasise too that in the database test I refered to a dozen or so
people were invited to attend the library in person, but only three of us
actually did turn up. the majority siad they'd have a go at home, which
seems to confirm how many do actually have access tech at home.
Returning to libraries, I do find it hard to see what you might access via a
computer in the library that you couldn't do better at home with your own
settings and things working the way you like them to. Maybe it is part of
wanting to be part of it all and having one computer accessible in a network
of a few dozen is some sort of comitment I suppose. In my experience youre
doing quite well to get VI people to go into a library in the first place,
which is unfortunate as Sandwell and some local authorities do have a good
selection of unabridged audio and large print books. Librarins too, because
of their training, are good at finding information. Also other things
happen in libraries such as reading groups and the like.
I just wish that the same commitment could be found to employ more rehab
workers and help in encouraging mobility, be it local public transport or
more co-operative taxi services, both lacking in this particular borough.
Cheers,
Ray.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Taylor" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Access in libraries and spending choices
> Hi
>
> The need for libraries to spend this kind of money is really for two
> reasons. Firstly, remembering how many visually impaired people are out of
> work, it is logical to assume that there are plenty who simply can't
> afford
> a computer. Also, I think too many visually impaired people are just
> sitting
> at home, and if there's something that encourages them to get out because
> they know there's something they could use, then that's a good thing. In
> reality, however, they could kit 30 people per year up with really good
> systems they could use anytime instead, which would actually be more
> useful.
>
> The other reason for encouraging this kind of spend is that some visually
> impaired people do actually pay, through taxes, for otherwise inaccessible
> library services. We should be campaigning for more to be spent on us.
>
> However, I am of the view that the world is becoming less, rather than
> more
> accessible for us, and increasing numbers of visually impaired people will
> be increasingly reliant on help to do things over time. Maybe when voice
> activation really kicks in, things will reverse again, but I think we are
> into one of those phases where things are against us. There is increasing
> automation with no access for us, increasing numbers of shop staff unable
> to
> help us through, let's say, language issues, increasing numbers of gadgets
> using touch interfaces we'll never manage, and the start of shared
> surfaces
> we'll never negotiate easily.
>
> I believe the most urgent campaign should be that the DDA needs to make
> all
> gadgets provide accessible interfaces, or at least guarantee that certain
> types of gadget are made available for us, and all environments must be
> retrospectively made as accessible as possible, as quickly as possible.
> The
> latter can easily be justified as everything that is done for visually
> impaired people can be done so that it helps all pedestrians and without
> penalising wheelchair users, and this would contribute to increasing
> walking
> and improving the quality of the environment by seeing walking as the most
> vital form of transport.
>
> As for SAtogo, I think it is fantastic on the internet and seems to know
> what to speak when. Sadly, it is less good in messenger aps as far as I
> can
> tell. I think with a few more keystrokes it would be even better. I think
> Jaws still gives the most flexible navigation of all, but rate SAtogo as
> the
> next best. Obviously though, Window Eyes is better at many things SAtogo
> won't do, and that will increasingly be the case as people write scripts
> for
> it.
>
> The other more techie question that will get in the way of libraries now
> is
> do they allow people to use both IE and Firefox? I think this is becoming
> increasingly vital. In fact, I see a time when Firefox is the browser of
> choice for many visually impaired people, maybe more so than IE!
>
> Cheers
> Dave
>
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