Improvements in Mainstream Technology

Issues in access to technology

Technology designed specifically for people with disabilities can be costly and is not always available widely. Often student’s will use certain technologies in education and then find that these are unavailable in later life.

This creates barriers for students, who find that they will not be able to carry out the activities they want to for work, enjoyment and communication.

Many companies are beginning to understand that they can build in accessibility into their software. So what advances in technology are available on the platforms we use every day?

Improvements in mainstream technology

Writing text using voice

Using voice to control the world around us is becoming more common, and what used to take hours of training is now instant. Writing using your voice is called dictation and here are some of the most commonly available tools:

Google Documents – In any Google Doc select “Tools” on the top menu and then “Voice Typing.” Must be using a Chrome Browser!

Office 365 – In compatible apps (like Word), look for the “Dictate” button to the far right of the top menu and click it to dictate.

Android/Apple Phones – the best thing is that this works in any window with the keyboard, you need to make sure this is toggled on in the menu and then click the microphone symbol for your phone to take down what you say.

Reading the world around you with a mobile phone

There are apps on your phone that can read text that you view through your photo-lens. Some of these are instant, others you need to take a photo of first:

Microsoft Seeing AI – Available on iPhone for free  (and iPad if you toggle the store to look for iPhone apps). This has a number of tools that are designed for those with visual impairments. But the first tool, “Short Text” is something that can help a wide range of needs as it instantly reads text that is on the screen.

Claro ScanPen – Available on Android and Apple for free,  this can take pictures of text and then you can read it out  by tapping on the text you wish to have read.

Using your computer to read text back to you

Microsoft have built an “Immersive Reader” view that provides Text-to-speech, colours, spacing, highlighting and many other  tools in one clear view. The video opposite jumps into a TechAbility Webinar that explains this new view. Office 365 is free for students.

Support and Organisation

Brain in Hand – This app gives students access to detailed  personalised support, when and where they need it, from their  phone or iPad. If additional help is needed the student can request urgent assistance from support staff discretely through the traffic  light system. This has proven very useful to support learners – with  needs based around the autistic spectrum, mental health  and organisational issues.

Resources

TechAbility Webinars – There are a selection of webinars created to support those with disabilities with technology:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlQNUqK0ICK7tEd8rGaBmFUF5Lu4yyH-p

Mental Health – Brain in Hand

Sam has been using Brain in Hand with support from her Community Links Engagement and Recovery Service in Kirklees Council. It’s helped to bring her out of a ‘really, really dark place’ – not only that, but it’s achieved a 10-to-1 Return on Investment for the Council.

Sam and Tony Bacon, Kirklees Council’s Commissioning
Manager for Mental Health, share their experience with Brain in Hand in this video case study.

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Neil Beck

National Star College