On Fri 13 Jun, GEOFFREY JENKINS wrote:
>
> [snip]
> You are likely to ascend by lift if you've got a problem with stairs.
>
> Could a swipecard mechanism on the lifts record (and display the fact at a
> security/caretaker point?) that a person with mobility difficulties is
> on a particular floor? The evacuation system could then take
> appropriate action such as despatching assistance to a given point?
>
> Do we have the technology? Do we have the money? Do we have the
> staffing levels?
>
Swipe cards ar ok as far as the go, but are now primative technology and
have several disadvantages which apply to various disabilities to a
greater or lesser extent:
* Poor vision/mobility/dexterity/grip:
Getting them out of the purse etc., locating the slot (too
high too low, too near a corner?), sliding at the right speed,
in the right direction, replacing in purse etc. without dropping
card or purse.
* Poor (short term) memory
Will users remember that the should swipe it; remember
whether they did swipe it?
*Smart Cards* with proximity data collection can solve most of these
problems and be configured to the needs of the disabled user, e.g. giving
enlarged print on display sytems or aural messages, depending on
individual needs.
See:
"Access Prohibited?" Information for designers of Public Access Terminals
Dr John Gill (Include project) also on the WEB at:
http://www.eyecue.co.uk/pats
"Smart Cards targeting the needs of elderly and disabled people" by
Dr. John Gill (SATURN Project RNIB) 11/94
"Include project" (an EU Support Action)
Help Desk and Information Servers at:
http://www.cselt.stet.it/sonah/INCLUDE/index.hml
http://www.nta.no/include/index.html
Regards
Ted
--
. ___ . .._ . ._ _, **** Ted Pottage Dip SpLD (RSA) ****
| | _ |_||_ | |_)(_ *** CoPS Accredited Trainer ***
| | | ||_ |_ | ,_) First WEBmaster: www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk/
with dyslexia http://www.pottage.demon.co.uk/it-helps/
Chairman (1995-97), BDA Computer Committee
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