Using the Accessibility model
Kim is an older learner. She works for a local delivery firm and wants an English GCSE. The tutor loaned them all a PDA with the text from Midsummer Night's Dream loaded. Between lessons they each study a different character in the scene and describe the personality of the character, copying and pasting verses to support their argument. Next lesson they beam their character studies to one another. Kim struggles with the language of the play - she is really on the edge of her literacy skill here - the content is not very accessible to her, but at least it is portable and always available to look at while waiting between deliveries. The interface provides her with no difficulties and she is wholly engaged by the task. She feels a real responsibility to the rest of the group to do a good job on the character studies and says this is the 'coolest way' she's ever learned!
Kim’s model could look like this
Accessibility could have been further improved for Kim (and all the others) by:
- Adding a glossary document to the device.
- Teaching her how to put in notes and bookmarks into the document reader software.
- See two other learners’ stories, the models and the suggestions.
Owasys produces a mobile phone that allows you to make and take phone calls and text messages without the use of a visual display. The Owasys 22C mobile phone uses state-of-the-art speech synthesis technology to talk to you and make all of its features accessible to you.
The RNIB is selling the Owasys 22C for £299 (The supply of this product is zero rated for VAT purposes – ie you won't have to pay VAT – if you are a blind or partially sighted person). It is supplied with a Vodafone Pay As You Talk SIM card, but can be used on any network, on a contract or as pay as you go. If you already have a mobile phone it may be possible for you to use your current SIM card.
The Magnifico Plus is an ideal clip on magnifier which can be attached to many PDAs and mobile phones. Office on the Go.com can offer specific advice and help about the right device.
For more accessible hardware and software suggestions
Techdis’ Usability and Accessibility advice website is the best place to start to look at alternative methods and additional hardware for entering text on a PDA.
Axistive Assistive Technology News Portal offers free news, articles, product reviews and all product and vendor information of assistive technology devices
Vodaphone will supply Talks speech software free of charge to blind and partially sighted customers who request it on suitable handsets, although they are not currently supplying the latest version of the software. Although there is not “big button” style mobile phone on the market there are some products that may be of interest.
See which mobile phones are accessible on the accessible mobile phones fact sheet from the RNIB. Also shows details of the Owasys mobile phone and the Vodaphone offer.
Quicklinks
Making it Accessible
Using the Accessibility model
Hardware and Software
Other sections
In Practice
Examples and ideas showing practical ways to use the different devices in the classroom and out and about
Choose the Right Device
What to look for when buying the devices, reviews and suggestions
FAQs for Organisations
Issues and questions that organisations experience
The Future
The changing world of handheld devices
Glossary
An a-z glossary of mobile technology terms