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I really do agree with all your say Paul and having worked on the DCSF project I was very aware about the limitations and the lack of research and evaluation relating to switch and keyboard access to e-texts, although this was obviously possible with all the texts used on the laptops although it was not part of the remit. Since then I have been working with a group of physically disabled students and some who have autism and learning disabilities. We have been using iPads for basic symbol work - choosing and communicating and I have begun to wonder about decisions around switch access versus touch screen access to texts and graphics. Size of tablet and controls of desktop items, external controls, home button (constantly hit to get a reaction!) and of course the apps etc. There are just so many aspects that need careful evaluation to ensure we are making the right choices. Perhaps a few accessibility criteria need to be added to this matrix. http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix (long page with lots of tables) Best wishes E.A. Mrs E.A. Draffan Learning Societies Lab, ECS, University of Southampton, Tel +44 (0)23 8059 7246 http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk http://www.emptech.info -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul.Nisbavet Sent: 01 June 2011 11:06 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Switch operated book reader and Books for All Hi Simon Yes the VI and HI support groups and organisations do seem to be much better at lobbying and promoting. I think I'm the only person on the Right to Read Alliance who has a perspective on physical accessibility of accessible books and there's lots of examples where organisations like Scope could do with being a bit more active. Here's a few: - The Copyright and VIP Act 2002 made it legal to make accessible copies of books for VI and physically disabled people. Great. By 2005 the Revealweb database listed over 110,000 accessible titles - all large print, audio or Braille for people with visual impairment - not one was produced for readers with physical disability. - The recent pilot DCSF Accessible Textbook project run by the RNIB / Dolphin / Dyslexia Action / Inclusive Consortium worked with pupils with visual impairment and dyslexia but not children with physical disability. The new project (worth £1.35 m) is similarly limited in scope. - By law all local authorities in Scotland must employ 'appropriately qualified' teachers of the visually impaired or hearing impaired. No such requirement for staff who teach children with physical disability (or autism, dyslexia, learning difficulties....) - Plenty of government and company publications have statements offering large print, audio and e.g. Punjabi versions but you don't often see them offering accessible digital versions. - When people talk about 'accessible web pages' or 'accessible digital files' more often than not what they mean is 'can I access it with a screen reader' despite the fact that there are probably more people with severe physical disabilities than there are who use Jaws/NVDA/Lunar. I'm not moaning about the VI and HI groups - without them we wouldn't have a lot of the legislation and provision that we currently enjoy, and they definitely have the clout and person power to lead on this - but I agree with Simon that physical access could do with a louder voice. The Right to Read Alliance is probably the most active group working in this area so if anyone fancies joining to promote physical accessibility email me or see http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/accesstoinformation/righttoread/ Pages/righttoread.aspx. For more on accessible books see our Books for All site http://www.books4all.org.uk/Home/ which has the Books for All report with some of the evidence on numbers and availability of accessible formats. Paul -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Judge Simon (BARNSLEY HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST) Sent: 01 June 2011 09:30 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Switch operated book reader True, I suppose. Two perspectives I suppose: from a 'campaigning/design' point of view it just isn't acceptable that manufacturers don't provide some kind of accessible interface from a practical point of view, yes, actuators are probably quite useful as a hack/fix... It is interesting to reflect that the VI community seem much better at pushing this issue (lots of examples, most recent being the iOS accessibility framework) - physical accessibility frameworks/interfaces seem to ride on the back of this work/campaigning... Why is that? Should SCOPE/MNDa/etc be more active in this area with our support? Cheers Simon -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeremy Linskell Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 8:45 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Switch operated book reader I agree with Colin. Well done to a company that has been prepared to invest in a product that will clearly have a limited shelf life but meets a clear current need. The same criticisms could be applied to DECT interfaces to standard phones (http://www.plantronics.com/uk/product/hl10 ), but they have been a boon in reality, in the right circumstances. Cheers jeremy Jeremy Linskell CEng, CSci, MIPEM Principal Clinical Scientist Electronic Assistive Technology Service Ninewells Hospital NHS Tayside tel: 01382-496286 fax:01382-496322 Editorial Board Member of Journal of Assistive Technologies http://pierprofessional.metapress.com/content/121393 > -----Original Message----- > From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Geggie, Colin > Sent: 31 May 2011 14:55 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Switch operated book reader > > I'm glad to see something on the market that enables people with > disabilities to access standard electronic readers. > > I agree an electronic interface would be preferable but I still reckon > this is a step forward. > > Regards > > Colin Geggie > Clinical Bioengineer, Environmental Control Co-ordinator SMART (South > East Mobility and Rehabilitation Technology) Centre Astley Ainslie > Hospital > 133 Grange Loan > Edinburgh > EH9 2HL > Tel. 0131 537 9423 > Fax. 0131 537 9552 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Woulfe > Sent: 31 May 2011 08:32 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Switch operated book reader > > At last things seem to be moving on the switch operated book reader > front with this from Assistive Technology. > > http://www.inclusive.co.uk/pagebot-for-kindle-p5196 > > The price is quite steep; but it's a big step forward. > > Regards > > John Woulfe > Access and Development Manager > Penn Hall School > www.pennhall.co.uk > > ***************************************************************** > The information contained in this message may be confidential or > legally privileged and is intended for the addressee only. 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