AbilityNet (Scotland)

1. AbilityNet (Scotland) • Welcome to this morning's session, • hosted by Craig Mill from • AbilityNet Scotland AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

2. Who is talking to you today? AbilityNet …..is a national charity and the UK's leading provider of expertise on computing and disability. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

3. How AbilityNet works! • 30% funded by fees • 10 centres across the UK • Over 2,000 assessments in 2001 • Over 15,000 phone calls in 2001 • Over 600 machines supplied AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

4. AbilityNet Services • Helpline Tel: 0800 269 545 • Assessment services • Informative courses • Consultancy – including website accessibility • Website – www.AbilityNet.org.uk AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

5. An essential technology! The Kettle AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

6. The AbilityNet Kettle Montage! AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

7. The AbilityNet Approach • In every operation we have… a person a method an end result AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

8. The AbilityNet Approach We believe that there are many different methods, and our approach is all about finding the right method, for a unique individual. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

9. It doesn’t need to be expensive: • Research in the USA showed that an average cost of adaptation was less than $150 on top of the cost of the computer. • We run a hands-on course, called Low Cost – No Cost, which looks at equipment which costs no more than £100. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

10. The AbilityNet Triangle Fewer, more seriously disabled, requiring complex, and sometimes expensive equipment. Line of identifiable disability. Large number of people who require ‘some help’, but you would not use the word disabled to help describe their difficulties. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

11. Provision • Provision • It is unrealistic for any organisation to attempt to cater for ALL of its users’ needs at any one time. • Aims • When carrying out library/accessibility audits we recommend that, if possible, organisations should aim to meet 70 - 90% of its clients/customers/users’ needs, e.g., physical, sensory, reading and writing. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

12. Provision • Our experience has shown us that whilst there will always be a number of individuals who will require personalised equipment in a supported environment, it is possible to provide for the majority of disabled people quite simply by understanding the alternatives, and having some of them available. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

13. Internet • The Internet should also be an accessible environment. • Web sites should comply with the W3C guidelines. • The ways in which the Internet is accessed (usability) should also be considered. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

14. Alternative and Adaptive Technology • Alternative • Readily available choices that do the same job, but in a different way to the standard technology. • Adaptive • Modified specifically to accommodate disability. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

15. Just one thing to remember! “At AbilityNet we have learned that almost any individual with a physical disability, sensory impairment or reading and writing difficulty, can use alternative and adaptive technology to help make positive steps towards greater independence, and achievements, with Information Communication Technology (ICT).” AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

16. The Standard keyboard AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

17. The disabled keyboard? AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

18. Alternative keyboards • There are alternative keyboards which provide greater access compared to a traditional keyboard: • integrated numeric pad • designed for right and left handed people • fits on to a wheelchair tray • keyguard to rest hands and accurately • position fingers AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

19. Alternative keyboards • Keyboard overlay stickers for visually impaired users: AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

20. Alternative keyboards • Keyboard for early learners or older users: AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

21. Adaptive keyboards • For example, the WinKing adaptive keyboard: • non QWERTY • word endings clustered together • integrated keyguard • combined mouse actions AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

22. Adaptive keyboards • Or the WinKing Mini adaptive keyboard: • for small, fine motor movements • word endings clustered together • combined mouse actions AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

23. Adaptive keyboards • IntelliKeys: • membrane keyboard • changeable overlays • QWERTY and ABC layouts • fine motor skills AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

24. Adaptive keyboards • IntelliKeys: AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

25. Ergonomic Keyboards Fujitsu Siemens AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

26. Ergonomic Keyboards Goldtouch ergonomic: AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

27. Recap – Standard Keyboard • Designed 130 years ago, to slow you down. • Right handed people only. • Less than 20% of people use the numeric pad, yet we all have one. • Just too big to fit between the arms of a standard wheelchair. • Designed for arms which come out of the chest, are 6 inches long, and all the fingers end at the same length. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

28. The Standard Mouse AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

29. Alternative pointing devices • precise and accurate mouse movements • easy to use buttons for left and right click • ‘drag lock’ function key • natural contour rests for hands AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

30. Alternative pointing devices Contour mice: • designed for both left and right handed users • come in various sizes • ergonomically shaped AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

31. Adaptive pointing devices • joystick with various attachments • integrated keyguard • ‘drag lock’ function key • various speeds AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

32. Recap – Standard Mouse • Unnatural gripping motion required. • Right handed people only. • Even the slightest dexterity problems in the hands, make it difficult to use. • Requires very accurate control of the hand, while looking at the screen. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

33. Switch input systems • Switches can provide a valuable and accessible way of using a computer. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

34. Software: Accessibility Options • Many modifications can be • made using software • that is standard in Windows: • FilterKeys • StickyKeys • Increasing menu font sizes • Changing background colours • Adjusting speed and settings • of mouse • Magnification / colour contrast AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.

35. AbilityNet Says: Be Pro Active • Promoting accessibility requires a co-ordinated effort bringing together staff experience and skills, with new technology along with regular updates on accessibility and technology. • www.AbilityNet.org.uk - download our factsheets for free. AbilityNet – Making IT Accessible for All.