IT AccessThis is a featured page

This page looks at the ways IT can be modified to be more accessible. There's a GENERAL Information section, then WEBSITES, AUDIO, and OTHER ADAPTATIONS

Main Related Pages on this Wiki:

NB To see the guide to the abbreviations used to indicate original sources see the Social Inclusion Information main page

New Stuff


General Information/ Staff Training/ ICT projects with socially excluded groups

  • To subscribe to E-Access Bulletin, email eab-subs@headstar.com with 'subscribe eab' in the subject header.
  • Major employers launch accessibility taskforce. A taskforce to help businesses provide accessible technology to employees and customers has been launched by the UK's Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD), a body whose members include some of the country's largest corporations and public agencies. See: http://www.efd.org.uk/ (E-Access Bulletin, June 2008)
  • Two new library resources from JISC Techdis: 'Publisher Lookup UK' and 'Guide to Obtaining Textbooks in Alternative Formats' are useful for finding resources and different formats for students with disabilities. See: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A2=ind0806&L=diversity&T=0&F=&S=&P=443
    (JISC-DIVERSITY, 19 June 2008)
  • Jodi Awards 2008 - call for nominations. Does your library use technology to provide access to collections and learning for disabled people? Then you could be nominated for one of the Jodi Awards: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A2=ind0806&L=mlanews&T=0&F=&S=&P=144
    MLA News Bulletin, 20 June 2008
  • The Smart City and Its Libraries. International Conference 8-10 October 2008, Copenhagen, Denmark. The Public Libraries of Copenhagen, Denmark, in partnership with Victorian Public Library and Information Network (VICLINK), Public Libraries International Network (PLIN) and Urban Libraries Council (ULC), are happy to announce this international library conference and symposia. The conference will focus primarily on two topics: How libraries can make cities stronger; The library as a “place” in the age of technology. Full agenda and more information, see: http://www.bibliotek.kk.dk/smartcity or see the video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJjM3yIQxo (WTYL 29/06/08)
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Access to Learning Award (ATLA) 2009 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is inviting applications from libraries and organisations with a mandate to provide public access to information to apply for the Access to Learning Award (ATLA) 2009. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in public libraries and similar institutions in providing access to information through the use of computers and the internet, at no cost to the user. The recipient will receive a prize of US$1 million. The 2009 brochures (in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish), application form and further information are now available from: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalDevelopment/GlobalLibraries/AccessLearningAward/RelatedInfo/ATLABrochure.htm. Closing date for the 2008 award is 31 October 2008. If you have any questions please contact atla@gatesfoundation.org (WTYL 23/06/08 and lis-pub-libs)
  • Massachussetts Library Blogspot's reports on a presentation "The Technology of Inclusion on a Shoestring" at the Mass Lib Assoc Conference http://mlamasslib.blogspot.com/2008/05/technology-of-inclusion-on-shoestring.html 09/05/08
  • Accessibility and usability are recurrent theme's in FreePint (check out this double-header from an earlier issue http://www.freepint.com/issues/240806.htm , and a quick search on 'usability' in the FUMSI database pulls up a number of tips and feature articles http://digbig.com/4wpwa (Free Pint Bar by Monique Cuvelier in Free Pint No 249 26th March 2008)
  • See SINTO Director, Carl Clayton's write up of SINTO's Assistive Technology course in his SINTO Blog: http://sintoblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/assistive-technology-for-libraries.html (SINTO Blog March 2008)
  • ICT Procurement - build accessibility in from the start is an article by Jo Greenwell of AbilityNet in Update Magazine. Referring to the 'moral, legislative and financial' arguments for accessibility, Jo advises avoiding 'technological "lock-out"' in library systems and gives solutions such as USB storage of appropriate programmes that can be lent to users. The article includes an accessibility checklist, and signposts readers to sources of useful information: www.abilitynet.org.uk (AbilityNet have a technical testing service, and also have an on-line learning package: www.abilitynettraining.org ), and MLA's Disabilty Portfolio of 12 guides for meeting the needs of disabled users - Module 3 looks at assessing technology: http://www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/Delivering_Library_Services_for
    _Disabled_People/Choose_a_module/m3home/     (UM 7 (1-2) Jan/Feb 2008 pp52-53)
  • Brian Kelly's UK Web Focus blog has an article about Second Life and Accessibility. There's also a link to a video on You Tube of an interview with a user with cerebral palsy, Judith, using Second Life with a headwand: http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/is-second-life-accessible/ (UK Web Focus 14th January 2008)
  • SINTO are runnning an 'Assistive Technology for Libraries' course on Tuesday 4th March 2008. Topics covered will include:
    • Making electronic documents and resources more readable
    • Low-vision and assistive hearing technologies
    • The JISC TechDis advisory service
    • Sources of information on assistive technology
    •
To access a flyer and booking form, go to the SINTO Website, and look under Events/ Forthcoming training events.
  • Phil Bradley in his 'Internet Q&A' column in Update Magazine suggests the following Google search engine to seek web pages that are suitable for people with visual impairments: http://labs.google.com/accessible/ (UM Dec 2007 Vol 6 (12) p 14)
  • 'Internet Access: an uneven picture' is a report by David McMenemy on a mystery shopping exercise looking at different aspects of the People's Network in 14 library authorities: consistency of service access & quality; rigour and consistency of application of Acceptable Use Policies; clairy, consistency and visibility of polices about internet filtering; consistency of front-ends for users. (UM 6 (10) Oct 2007)
  • There is an article on 'e-marketing' (contacting customers regularly through an email newsletter they can subscribe to), by Janice Waugh and Chris Booty of Essex Libraries in September's Update magazine. For further reading they recommend The Constant Contact web page: www.constantcontact.com (UM 6 (9) Sept 2007 pg 42-43)
  • Alistair McNaught's article 'Quick wins in supporting users' in Library & Information Gazette (CILIP) 24 Aug- 6 Sept pg7 lists the following useful resources:
  • There is an article by Helen Milner in May's Update looking at the social impact of four library projects connecting various groups to ICT: Older people, carers, adults with mental health problems (Cambridgeshire); Older people & adults with mental health problems (Lincolnshire); Families in poverty (Leeds); Older people and teenage parents (Suffolk). (UM p40-43 May 2007)
  • MLA Funding - UK Online Public Libraries Challenge Fund (UM 4 (12) Dec 2005)
  • Keytools are a company specialising in Computer Access Resources for vision impairment, disability, special needs and early learners:023 8058 4314, info@keytools.com
  • Subscribe to ABILITY magazine for info on accessibility solutions for disabled IT users: www.abilitymagazine.org.uk
  • A 'Digital Inclusion Team' from Public Sector Forums is responsible for developing a policy implementation programme based on the Social Exclusion Unit's report Inclusion through Innovation. See http://digitalinclusion.pbwiki.com/

Websites & Intranets


Audio & Screen Magnification (including e-books)

  • World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council "Libraries without borders: Navigating towards global understanding" http://www.ifla.org:80/IV/ifla74/Programme2008.htm 10-14 Aug, Quebec. There are some fascinating papers being given, including: "Downloads by the busloads" (talking books) - Ian & Paul Stringer http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla74/papers/072-Stringer-en.pdf (WTYL 28/07/08)
  • British Dyslexia Association (BDA) Launch Affordable Software to “Bridge the Gap” in Education - The BDA has launched a text to speech program, which will change the lives of children who cannot read. ClaroRead SE (Special Edition) provides text to speech support tools that allow computer users to read and write independently and will be available at a third of the price of similar learning aids, making such important technology more affordable to those who need it. ClaroRead is available from the BDA Store: http://www.bdastore.org.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=451 ClaroRead SE will also include a BDA Workbook, which provides information on dyslexia and tips to help children develop to their full potential. Claro SE will cost from just £49 for the CD Rom and £59 for the portable USB stick version (excluding VAT). School licenses are also available for ClaroRead starting at £795. (BDA Newlsetter June 2008 - from Mary Harrington, Doncaster Libraries)
  • Doncaster Library & Information Services won MLA's Jodi Award for Excellence in Accessible Technology - Low Budgets for it's Audio-Read Navigator (a digital audio player for visually impaired people) (UM 6 & [7-8] July/ August 2007)
  • See http://ninfield.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/making-a-noise-on-the-net/ for free 'Thunder' software that can turn a PC into a talking computer.
  • Andrew Lewis has written about users' views of access technology in Library & Information Gazette (CILIP) 24 Aug- 6 Sept pg6. See his research from 2004: 'A user survey of the experiences of blind and visually impaired people using electronic information services , with regard to the practical implemtation of these services in public libraries' (MSc dissertation): http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00002493/ , and in 2007 'Multi-Lib devewlopment programme. Phase 2, Research report4,: Ann accessible talking comment form for children created in Flash: www.rbwm.gov.uk/public/RBWM_multilib-phase2_report4.pdf
  • For information on Bierley's 'Big Reader' (magnifies printed text on to a screen by scrolling a mouse over it), contact Mark Statham on 0800 0430 282 or email mark@bierley.com or go to: www.bierley.com
  • For information on D-Tech's Graphic User Interface (GUI) developed screens (clear images/ large fonts/ pre-set colours/ sound enabling) see www.d-techdirect.com
  • For information on talking software see Roger Wilson-Hinds article 'Lend us an ear to this vision' in Library & Information Gazette (CILIP) 24 Aug- 6 Sept pg9. Roger runs Screenreader.net CIC delivering free talking software to blind people over the internet: ring 01733 234441 or email ask@screenreader.net or see www.screenreader.net or www.screenreader.biz
  • UKeIG Training day on 'Developing and Managing E-book Collections' 12th September, Dublin: www.ukeig.org.uk/training (UM May 2006)
  • Force Ten Company Ltd have over 100 products designed to assist vision and hearing imparied people: 01372 450887, sales@forcetenco.co.uk or www.forcetenco.co.uk
  • Create a podcast of your library guide by sending it as a word version to the Robobraille service, or use the 'audacity' free software at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ (Alistair McNaught's article 'Quick wins in supporting users' in Library & Information Gazette (CILIP) 24 Aug- 6 Sept pg7)

Other Adaptations

  • Two further responses to WTYL enquiry about word processing software: Peter Dorfman says: "Microsoft Word is the most adaptable software for multilingual use. With some South Asian languages you have to be careful to choose fonts that can be embedded." and Elaine Bradshaw says: "For those of us with no money! There is a website called www.gate2home.com which offers virtual keyboards in lots of languages. They allow people to search Google and Wikipedia or send emails in their own language script. For some languages, you can also cut and paste text to use it as a basic word processor." (WTYL 25/03/08)
  • In response to an enquiry in WTYL digest of 18th Feb asking about word processing software in different languages, Zahir Ahmed (Multicultural Advisor, Leeds Library Service) replied: "We in Leeds use a software called (Global Writer - unitype) at some of our branches. It allows the user to type in over 100 languages through a keyboard that appears on the screen. We purchased the software from a company in Yorkshire called Lingua ( www.lingua-uk.com ). It may cost a few hundred pounds depending on how many licenses you apply for or purchase. There maybe other products around also therefore it would be better to research all before purchasing." (WTYL 17/03/08)
    •
  • Computer access for person with a hand tremor (modifying the mouse): http://discussions.virtualdr.com/archive/index.php/t-42444.html and/ or www.mousecage.org/ (UM May 2006)
  • Force Ten Company Ltd have over 100 products designed to assist vision and hearing imparied people: 01372 450887, sales@forcetenco.co.uk or www.forcetenco.co.uk
  • My Web My Way is a free on line resource from the BBC for customising a computer, mouse and keyboard for easier internet access: www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility (UM 5 (1-2) Jan/Feb 2006)
  • Intellident make height adjustable PC stations: www.intellident.co.uk/libraries


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