Accessibility Made Simple

Audio books have grown the world of books for the blind book lover

Posted by Stella Broster on May 15, 2019 3:40:45 PM

We hope you enjoy our Guest Blog by Holly Scott-Gardner, a 25-year-old blind student, blogger and Youtube creator.

"As far back as I can remember my life has revolved around books. When I was a child I would eagerly await deliveries of heavy volumes of braille in the post, relishing the distinctive crackle of Velcro as I pulled open the bags they were stored in. A new book meant a new world to explore. I was sustained on a steady stream of library books and the audio books my family bought for me. But at times I lamented how few books I could read. So few were available in braille or audio and I sat on the side-lines as friends shared new discoveries I didn't have a hope of reading.

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Top 5 Tips to Help a VI Senior Take the Leap with Tech

Posted by Stella Broster on May 15, 2019 11:19:05 AM

Sight loss affects people of all ages, but as we get older we are increasingly likely to experience sight loss. Almost 1.5 million people aged 65-84, and a further 580,000 aged 85 and over, are living with sight loss in the UK.

Assistive technology is one crucial way for older people to stay living well, safely and happily at home, yet they can be nervous to try new technology and quick to give up if it seems challenging to use.

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Topics: Individuals, SightLoss

10 Questions to Help Advise a Senior New to Sight Loss

Posted by Stella Broster on May 15, 2019 11:18:26 AM

According to the RNIB "Every day 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK. As of 2015, more than two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives, such as not being able to drive".

Clearly, as we get older, one of the main conditions that can affect us is problems with eye health. Sight loss can be frightening and depressing, particularly if combined with other age-related health conditions. In addition, seniors can find their social circle shrinking, meaning loneliness can compound the physical problems and mental health issues.

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Topics: Organisation, Individuals, SightLoss

5 ways to help assistive technology users at work

Posted by Stella Broster on May 14, 2019 4:25:09 PM

7.6m working age people in the UK have a disability and clearly they have equal rights to enjoy a fulfilling career. Assistive technology is hugely important in getting people with disabilities into work and helping them stay there. In January, BATA gave evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee's inquiry about the role of assistive tech in removing barriers in the workplace. They offered some simple tips for how to help include and support assistive technology users at work:

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Topics: Education, Organisation, Individuals, SightLoss

Free accessible textbooks for learners with Dyslexia, Autism or ADD

Posted by Stella Broster on Apr 25, 2019 12:05:30 PM

Do your learners struggle to access the curriculum? Would the students and pupils you support benefit from accessible textbooks? Do they struggle with reading print materials? Do you need talking eBook editions of textbooks?

RNIB Bookshare and the EasyReader app can help.

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The EAA will make products and services more accessible

Posted by Stella Broster on Mar 26, 2019 11:25:37 AM

On 13th March, the European Parliament approved the European Accessibility Act to make key commercial products and services more accessible for people living with a disability.

Which products and services?

The new directive sets out the common standards that need to be achieved, and outlines what needs to become more accessible, such as ticketing machines, ATMs, PCS, smartphones, banking services, eReaders and eBooks, eCommerce services and transport services.

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Topics: Organisation, Individuals