Blind/vision impaired Digital Technology & Online Media news

An initiative of The Royal London Society for the Blind, Everybody Technology works collaboratively with technology companies, developers, designers and people with disabilities to create products that combine technology and design for the benefit of all users.

In partnership with the Council on the Ageing Western Australia (COTA WA) and funded by the nib Foundation, we produced resources which will enable COTA WA member organisations to help individual members and train workshop coordinators on computer accessibility, assistive technology and social media.

The main issue is the effect of replacing a human voice with a synthetic one on the experience for the viewer. This and a number of other potential issues are discussed in more detail below.

The initiative features resources for web developers, designers, content producers and managers on how to incorporate accessibility into every stage of a website’s life. Access iQ™ is geared towards meeting the needs of those making accessible websites for government under the National Transition Strategy.

Access iQ™ delivers:

The online toolkit provides tips, resources and apps to assist people with a disability to overcome the accessibility challenges of social media. The kit also includes guidelines for emergency agencies and government.

The author of our social media guide, Dr Scott Hollier, assisted on the project.

Made possible by funding from the NDIS’s Practical Design Fund, the guide will be a practical, step-by-step resource to help agencies and service providers deliver accessible information to meet the needs of their clients and employees.

The telecommunications and media company will help deafblind Australians gain digital literacy through training as well as provide access to tablets and braille devices. 

Celestine Hare, chief executive officer of Able Australia said in an article on the Telstra website that access to technology and digital literacy is an important step for deafblind Australians as many essential services become available on devices such as iPads. 

Put in place by the Australian Government Information Office (AGIMO), the strategy states that all Australian government websites must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level A by 31 December 2012, and Level AA by December 2014. By complying with these standards, website owners help ensure that web-based information and tools can be used by everyone regardless of disability.

Funded by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network grants scheme, the resource explains the current state of social media accessibility and guides users through getting started on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Skype and blogging.

Media Access Australia researcher Dr Scott Hollier conducted an eight-month qualitative study among people with a sensory and mobility impairment. Through this research, social media users with disabilities were able to share their tips and tricks so that others can gain access.