[access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible instructions

  • From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:59:51 +0100

The problem isn't just the format.  For example, Tissot supplied an
audio version of the manual for their vibrating watch on CD.  But it
might as well have been in Cyrillic script for all the sense it made to
me.  In fact I can usually read print instructions, but again have
fantastic difficulty comprehending some of them. 


Ian Macrae
Editor
Disability Now
+44 20 7619 7115
+447795 968743
 

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Graham Page
Sent: 18 October 2007 11:47
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions

Hi Steve.

I think you have hit on the issue here, you ask what format the user
wants.

Obviously selling products such as the Sonus 1 XT or Olympus DS30
through main stream suppliers is a bit different.  while accessible
instructions would be nice and it would be good if staff did ask, we all
know that the reality is that this may not happen so providing a CD with
both audio instructions and the text of the manual is a solution that
should address the needs of the vast majority of users.

There are however clearly situations where Braille instructions would be
required or tapes would be required.

It would be helpful if manufacturers could have a code of practice
providing a means by which people could acces something other than a
printed instruction book or a pdf of same book if required.

Regards

graham
Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax:  0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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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