May 18, 2021
Celebrating in Guernsey
We will be hosting a drop in at the Digital Greenhouse from 12:30-1:30pm Thursday 20th May, where you can meet members who will share their experience with a wide range of accessible technologies.
A message from RNIB: How often do you consider accessibility?
It’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on 20 May and we want everyone to be talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion. We strongly believe in this as we work to create a world without barriers for people with sight loss.
To celebrate GAAD – and help spread awareness on the importance of accessibility – this month’s update showcases how we’re working on making the world a more inclusive place for blind and partially sighted people. From our Tech for Life team helping individuals access technologies, to our advice for employers looking to be more inclusive, accessibility is at the core of what we do.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Every user deserves a first-rate digital experience on the web. Someone with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities. This awareness and commitment to inclusion is the goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a global event that shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Michael Ellis
Guernsey Disability Association member Michael Ellis, who has a visual impairment, will host this Thursday’s drop-in session and there will be a number of GDA members there alongside him. Michael has a variety of tools to enable him to use his computer and smartphone effectively. These include a magnifier and screen reader on his laptop and a phone app that can read text and use the inbuilt camera to describe the environment around him, identifying colour, people and barcodes. Another app links the user to a remote helper who again uses the phone’s camera to see for the person and relay information via the phone.
Michael Ellis says: “Technology is available to help us use the digital world and I’d like people to come to the Digital Greenhouse so that I can explain face to face how to get the most out it. It’s far easier and more effective to do this in person and people can then try out the technology I’m now familiar with. I’d urge anyone with an impairment to come along. These days, everybody needs to access the digital world for everyday goods and services and so from a social, moral and economic perspective everyone should be able to use it without unnecessary barriers.”
Media release