[access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible instructions
- From: "Jackie Cairns" <cairnsplace@xxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:15:51 +0100
What about the company including a tick box or question alongside the VAT
exemption form asking what format the user would like any instructions to be in.
As an example, we got Trekker Pro recently. It came with good onboard help,
but of course we had to learn to access that before taking advantage of it.
But included in the box was a Braille quick start reference, which obviously
suited me down to the ground to make a start. But when I ordered the unit for
Ian, I asked for the manual itself to be provided in Braille because that's my
preferred format of them all. And so I'm waiting for it, admittedly for a few
weeks, but it is coming and I'm not being charged any more for the privilege
because I placed an order for it at the time of purchase. That's perfectly
acceptable to me given the heavyweight nature such a manual will involve to
reproduce in Braille. But how long would it take someone to read a sheet of A4
instructions onto a cassette, for example, to accompany something small like a
talking watch or Colorino detector?
I can see it from all sides.
Jackie
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Clasper
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 10:06 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Buying specialist technology without accessible
instructions
Steve and Jackie.
I think Steve is right here.
It is important that AT providers offer a complete choice of accessible
formats enabling the individual to select, however ensuring the AT provider can
supply the chosen format erespective of what it is in an identical timescale.
The other trouble is that if you provide all formats to everyone they
potentially end up with several formats they are unable to do anything with!
Terry.
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Nutt
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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