The document discusses how technology can help people with visual impairments. It describes various options for input and output, including magnification software, screen readers, Braille displays and video magnifiers. It provides examples of individuals who use different technologies like JAWS and ZoomText to work and complete tasks. The document emphasizes that the right solution depends on preferences, needs and budget, and specialist advice can help identify the best options in each situation. Training is also important to learn new tools and customize them effectively.

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Visual Impairment and
Computing
AbilityNet Webinar
9 June 2015

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Visual Impairment and Computing
At home, at work, in education
How can technology help?
What are the options?
Who can it help?
What are the costs?
Your questions
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Welcome
Mary Steiner
AbilityNet
Mark Walker
AbilityNet
Robin Christopherson
AbilityNet

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Helping disabled people
• At Home
• At Work
• In Education
• On the Web
My Computer My Way
Tech4Good Awards
AbilityNet
Adapting Technology. Changing Lives.

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Understanding Visual Impairment
• Almost two million people in the UK live
with sight loss
• Includes those that have uncorrected
refractive error or cataract that may be
reversed
• Includes around 360,000 people
registered as blind or partially sighted who
have severe and irreversible sight loss
• Sight loss affects people of all ages but
especially older people

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Impact of Visual Impairment
Hidden disability
• Not always clear who may need help
• Symbol canes
Practical issues
• Eg mobility, reading
Emotional response
• Social issues and isolation
• Sense of independence
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Impact on Common Tasks
• Reading documents
• Browsing the web
• Producing a letter or report
• Sending messages
• Making a call
• Working on a spreadsheet
• Data entry
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Making Reasonable Adjustments
Not just an IT issue
Employers have a responsibility
Legal risks if they are not pro-active
• Duty of care
• Not specifically about disabled people
• Could be linked to Equality Act 2010
• Reasonable Adjustments

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What Support Is Available?
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At Work
• Access to Work
At Home
• PIP and DLA
• More accessible mainstream devices
In Education
• HE: Disabled Students Allowances (DSA)
• School/FE: Disability adviser

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What are the options?
• Specialist Software
• Specialist Hardware
• Built In Options
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How Technology Can Help
Input To The Computer
Touch typing
Large print and hi-vis keys
• NB keys themselves
are standard size
And sometimes…
• Speech recognition
… although usually not relevant
because it can be more complicated
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How Technology Can Help
Output From The Computer
Large monitor and/or monitor arm
Better contrast, reduced glare, better colours
Magnification software eg ZoomText
Magnifier and reader software
Screenreader outputting to speech
and/or Braille display eg Jaws
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How Technology Can Help
Reading Printed Materials
Large print, hand held magnifiers,
lighting
Video magnifiers, sometimes called
CCTVs
• Desktop and portable
• Some include speech output
Scanning and OCR, then read
using computer
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One Size Doesn’t Fit All
For example:
Magnifying things on the screen
of your computer
• Hardware options: eg large
monitor
• Software options: eg
ZoomText
• Built-in Options: every
computer
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Learn more on YouTube!
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Who It Can Help?
Robin Christopherson
• Head of Digital Inclusion
• No sight at all
• Guide dog user
• Busy job – lots of travelling
• Works from home and from
the office
• Reports, emails, phone calls,
presentations, videos, etc

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Examples of what Robin uses
• Speech output – Jaws, VoiceOver
• Reading – try to avoid paper!
• Apps – KNFB Reader, Talking Goggles,
Apple Maps
• iOS8 + VoiceOver
• Bluetooth keyboard
• Mac and PC
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Jack
• Mid-30s
• Call centre in a travel agent
• Booking holidays
• Congenital but progressive
condition
• Needs high level of
magnification
• Reading brochures and using
database for bookings
• Bad back – may be related?
What we recommended
• Large monitor and monitor arm
• ZoomText Magnifier Reader
• Desktop Video Magnifier for
reading brochures
Who It Can Help

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Training
• Learn new tools – hardware and software
• Customise the software
• Adapt your workflow
• Adapt your workplace

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How to Adjust Your Computer
www.mycomputermyway.com

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Visual Impairment and Computing
One size does not fit all!
• Could include built in solutions, specialist software or
specialist hardware
• Could be mobile or desktop
• Depends on preferences, context, tasks,
budget, etc
• Look for specialist advice and support
• Training, trial and error, regular
review
• Especially as tech changes fast
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Questions?
Next AbilityNet webinars
Dealing with hearing impairment in the workplace, 1pm, Tues 7th July
www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars

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Contact Us
sales@abilitynet.org.uk
+44 (0)1926 465 247
@abilitynet
Next AbilityNet Webinars
Dealing with hearing impairment in the workplace, 1pm, Tues 7th July
Sign up at www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars