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Hello Just a quick message on accessibility of MP3 players. Having spoken to some of my colleagues here at RNIB's, there are very few MP3 players on the market that are accessible to blind and partially sighted people. Obviously it is also about the accessibility of the software you use to download/transfer files onto the player. The Book Courier MP3 player is designed to be accessible ( <http://www.bookcourier.com/> http://www.bookcourier.com/) and there is an article on this product in the RNIB publication "Welcome to a world of..." that can be accessed at - <http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_wel0105MP3.hcsp> http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_wel0105MP3.hcsp. This player costs £225, a bit more than the one in Asda, though obviously this will hopefully come down as more accessible products come on the market. A general comment about accessibility of audioguides - RNIB has done a lot of work on this and we have on our website guidelines on the accessibility of audio guide handsets written by Peter Bosher, one of our auditors from the Talking Images project. The two Talking Images publications are also now available to download, along with our guidance on developing an accessible audio guide. You can find all the documents at www.rnib.org.uk/audiodescription <http://www.rnib.org.uk/audiodescription > (click on museum and gallery professionals.) All feedback and comments gratefully received!! best wishes Catherine Catherine Hillis Talking Images Arts and Heritage Officer Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE 020 7391 2328 For information on making museums and galleries accessible, please visit www.rnib.org.uk/audiodescription For a monthly update of what's on in museums and galleries for blind and partially sighted people, please visit www.rnib.org.uk/museum -----Original Message----- From: Museums Computer Group [ mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Tracey Curtis Sent: 17 May 2005 10:14 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: MP3 players for audio tours Hello Christine, I'm not really the best person to comment on the ever-changing MP3 player models on the market. I would imagine that there may be a small number that have more suitable buttons for the visually impaired. Although I don't think this is key target market for the manufacturers just yet. However, like you we opted for the traditional 'walkman' for our Client in Bristol. We managed to source a product and burn the files to disc in such a way that the user only needs to press one button when instructed by the audio. Kindest regards, Tracey Tracey Curtis Senior Producer mPower Media Corsham Media Park, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9GB T: 01225 719937 http://www.mpowermedia.uk.com E: [log in to unmask] Experts in Interactive Digital Media > From: Christine McLean <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 09:50:13 +0100 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: MP3 players for audio tours > > Are the MP3s suitable for visually impaired in terms of operating? We've been > use rather old-fashioned Walkmans for temporary exhibition tours for VIPs but > at least these have large buttons for ease of use (although we find that > taping explanation of how to use is over-complicated). > > inform - educate - inspire > > Christine McLean > Access & Outreach Manager > The National Museums of Scotland > Chambers Street > Edinburgh EH1 1JF > Tel: 0131 247 4199 > > Widening access to the national collections. > Developing community projects across Scotland. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Museums Computer Group [ mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracey > Curtis > Sent: 17 May 2005 09:47 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: MP3 players for audio tours > > Hi, > > Picking up on Edmund's point, you could then have a smaller number of CD > Players with the MP3 files on CD for use by the visually impaired. Just a > thought..... > > Kindest regards, > > Tracey > > Tracey Curtis > Senior Producer > > mPower Media > Corsham Media Park, Westwells Road, > Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9GB > T: 01225 719937 http://www.mpowermedia.uk.com > Experts in Interactive Digital Media > > > >> From: "LEE, Edmund" <[log in to unmask]> >> Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]> >> Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 09:42:50 +0100 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Re: MP3 players for audio tours >> >> No experience with this but a bit of thought... >> >> Given the wide availability of MP3 players why not make the files available >> on >> your website for people to download to their own MP3 player before they >> visit? >> This would save you having to buy and maintain / replace the players. >> >> Obviously this wouldn't address the issues for accessibility for the visually >> impaired, and it also rather assumes that folk visit your website before they >> visit the museum / gallery. But it might encourage a few extra folk to visit >> your museum to see the things they have heard about, or maybe visit more than >> once. >> >> By not committing yourself to one fixed handheld system I would also have >> thought it opens up more possibilities to produce alternative audio guides >> for >> different audiences, or update the guides on a more regular basis. >> >> Best wishes, >> >> Edmund Lee >> Standards and Guidelines Manager >> English Heritage >> National Monuments Record Centre >> Kemble Drive >> Swindon >> SN2 2GZ >> >> email: [log in to unmask] >> tel: +44 (0)1793 414719 (please note change - previously ext 4791) >> fax: +44 (0)1793 414770 >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Museums Computer Group [ mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe >> Cutting >> Sent: 16 May 2005 15:14 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: MP3 players for audio tours >> >> Has anyone successfully used MP3 players for museum/gallery audio tours. >> My local Asda is selling MP3 players for £30 which is much cheaper than >> professional handsets >> but I've got a few worries about using them such as: >> >> - Visitors won't want to share earpieces so you'll need some kind of headset >> - The controls can be really small and fiddly which isn't great for the >> visually impaired who otherwise can get a lot out of an audio tour >> - They're obviously useful for other things so visitors may walk off with >> them. >> >> Anyone tried this in the wild or have any recommendations? >> >> Best Wishes >> >> Joe >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.11 - Release Date: 16/05/2005 -- DISCLAIMER: NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be privileged. 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