[access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible instructions
- From: "Carol Pearson" <carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:39:00 +0100
I'm not Jackie, but here's my take:
I'd supply what the manufacturer gives ... so that you're handing over the
complete packet ... but in doing so I'd then ask your question about format
that a person can access.
--
Carol
carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Nutt
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 10:12 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions
Hi Jackie,
But you have rather skirted the question <Smile>. What format would you give
by default if you were a business?
All the best
Steve
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Cairns
Sent: 18 October 2007 10:03
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions
Yes Steve I can see where you are coming from, honestly I can. But I think I
would still favour an effort on the company's part to supply something, even if
it isn't the preferred format. I know that it has got complicated now with
digital formats, so your large print or tape isn't necessarily going to suit
any more.
But I would rather know that the company concerned at least went to some
lengths to supply instructions in something alternative to the one format
which, apart from scanning it, isn't any use to me. I'm not a manual person,
but if you purchase access technology and all you get in the box is a bulk
standard print manual, it immediately becomes frustrating, and it's happened a
lot over the years, though less so recently I have to say.
But yes, I do see your point of view and concur with it to an extent.
Jackie
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Nutt
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:51 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions
Hi Jackie,
I totally agree with you here. But I can also see the other side. If you
offer something by default in an alternative format, what format do you offer
it in? If you give someone a tape, they may not have a tape recorder.
Unlikely, but I have come across it. If you give someone a CD player, they may
not have the machine to play it on. Give them a Daisy book, and again the same
applies. Give them Braille, and they may not be able to read it.
So while I fully agree with you, what alternative format do you give them
by default? And I stress by default. If I sell you a Colorino, I know you
have a computer, so I can Email you the instructions. But what would be the
point in my giving you large print by default, if I know you are totally blind?
I would ask someone what their format of choice would be and try to comply as
best I can. But the default access method worries me. If you give it to most,
but not all, blind people, then at least someone sighted may be able to read
the print in the family, as a stop gap, until they can request that alternative
format. So I favour the individual requesting the format of choice, then
hopefully, but not always admittedly, they get it.
All the best
Steve
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Cairns
Sent: 18 October 2007 09:41
To: Access UK Mailing List
Subject: [access-uk] Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions
On the subject of buying specialist technology with inaccessible
instructions, I'll be very careful how I phrase this because it's something
I've beefed about for years, and it still goes on.
In my personal and humble opinion, wherever a company - no matter who that
retailer is - sells a product or service to someone with a visual impairment,
the instructions accompanying that item should be in an alternative format to
standard print. How can we have the DDA in this country if those who have
direct influence to ensure accessibility is met don't in fact comply?
We have invested a lot of money on access technology over the years, yet I
still find myself having to request materials in my preferred format.
Using the examples of both the Colorino and talking tape measure from
Caretec, neither has accessible instructions, even though I have sussed out how
to use them satisfactorily. But that isn't the point. If I could read the
instructions, I could surely see to use an ordinary measure and not need a
detector to tell me my colours?
That's where I'm coming from anyway, and I mean no disrespect to any
retailer or individual on the list. Most companies that deal with specialist
equipment do offer alternative formats, whether it be through intuitive help on
the device itself, or instructions and quick start references that accompany
it. But there is still an issue with this.
Jackie
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