Notes of the Technology Group Meeting
Held on 9th May 2007
Present:
Mike BraceVISION 2020 UK
Jane CrookBerkshire County Blind Society
Dave RobertsNBCS
Patricia WebbUcanDoIT
Margaret GraingerBWBF
Kay WrenchVIEW
Roger Wilson-HindsChoice
Madeleine SutcliffeBIOS
John Wall, SirSOVIL
Jacquie WakefordAction
Denis DeasyAction
Apologies:
Roger WhittonGuide Dogs
Chris FriendSight Savers
Robin SpinksSight Savers
Steve TylerRNIB
Richard OrmeRNIB
Stephen KingRNIB
1.Chairman’s Welcome
Mike Brace undertook to Chair the meeting in Richard Orme’s absence.
2.Terms of Reference of the Group
These were further discussed. It was thought that the main focus of the Group should be the “two I’s” – information and influence.
Information:
The first objective would be to provide information to those seeking sources of information regarding technology issues. The VISION 2020 UK Technology Group microsite would be developed to provide links to providers of technology, trainers or advisors regarding the full range of technology opportunities, which can assist in daily living, ICT, leisure, education etc.
The next Technology Group meeting would look at sources of information and ways in which this database/access point can be developed. Mike would look at the capacity of the site i.e. what it can store and what can easily be accessed.
It would be useful if all of the Group could email Mike details of any specialist magazines, suppliers and contacts that they have to start to build this information point.
ACTION - All to email mike with contacts, journals etc. and he will circulate the list for Group amendment.
Influencing:
As there were so many issues facing the provision of technology for those with vision impairment, it was thought most useful to concentrate on one or two key areas initially to focus on how we can best influence best practice in this area.
One key and urgent area was the advice given and provision of equipment for children and young people with vision impairment in mainstream schools. Budgets for equipment have been devolved to schools that may or may not decide to spend it on particular aids etc for children with vision impairment.
Kay Wrench undertook to prepare a paper on this and present it to the next meeting of the Group so that an action plan/formal representations can be made regarding this problem. This would come from the Group with the agencies forming it on the list of supporting organisations .
Other key areas discussed, but not yet prioritised for action, were:
- future formats of information for the vision impaired – mp3, daisy, cassette (not for much longer) web based, downloaded, CD, IPOD, mini-disk etc. (Mike said that he understood a group of key providers were already looking at this issue and would undertake to find out more and report to the next meeting.)
b.Provision of advice, training and supply of equipment, - are there standards for all of this? If so who sets them? Who polices them? Do potential users check them? Is there a role for the Group in perhaps coming up with best practice standards which we can recommend are adopted throughout the specialist industry?
c.Low and no cost solutions - How do we play a role in ensuring that these options are more widely known and available? What about mainstream products that can be adapted for use by vision impaired users? For example, will future generations of speech packages within vista etc. meet the needs of some vision impaired users?
d.Inclusive design - There are now COSC regulations regarding design etc. in Europe. Who knows about this? Who cares? Radios with speech are rare, set top boxes with access are rare. Manuals etc. in alternative formats, development of design such as touch pads continuing to significantly disadvantage vision impaired users from buying or using these products etc.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but are illustrations of areas of work the Group might like to consider.
These two key areas of activity were agreed as being the primary focus of the Group. They also support the other key areas of focus for the group i.e.
Design of equipment
Advice on equipment
Provision of equipment
Cost of equipment
Low and no cost solutions
Mainstream inclusion of IT needs for people with vision impairment
3.Information and Advice Centres
The discussion focused on the issue raised above i.e. is there any guidance/help available regarding the role of these centres and if not, is this something the Technology Group could develop?
4.Support in the Home
RNIB were re-launching their home service and it was suggested that this should be put on the agenda for the next meeting for a full update. This should then feature in the information section of the agenda/database.
ACTION - Richard Orme had requested an update on this and he would be asked to present a short paper to the next meeting.
5.Assessment and Training
This will need to be discussed more fully on future agendas regarding what it is about this area of work that the Group need to be able to provide either information on, or influence?
6. Low/No cost Solutions
Not fully discussed, but needs to be put on a future agenda for a focussed discussion and again how the “two I’s” approach can be adopted.
7.Date of Next Meeting
The proposed date of the next meeting is 21st September 2007 and Mike will check whether there is a bigger room available at Judd Street. The time will be confirmed, but shall aim for 1:00pm with the meeting lasting for approximately 2 hours. If no room is available at Judd Street, he will find an alternative venue.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ROOM IS AVAILABLE AT RNIB ON 21ST SO I HAVE BOOKED THE BOARD ROOM AT ST. DUNSTANS, 12 HARCOURT STREET W1H. IT IS VERY CLOSE TO EDGWARE ROAD TUBE WITH THE NEAREST TUBES HAMMERSMITH AND CITY/CIRCLE BOTH FROM EITHER KINGS CROSS OR FROM EUSTON SQUARE.
THE MEETING WILL COMMENCE AT 1:00PM AND LUNCH CAN BE PROVIDED, BUT I MUST KNOW, NO LATER THAN 14TH SEPTEMBER, IF YOU WISH TO HAVE LUNCH.
- Any Other Business
Before closing the meeting, Mike asked whether all present would email him with their top three technology issues from their personal or Organisation’s perspective. This would help to keep a relevant focus to the Group and ensure that the issues discussed would have links to specific outcomes. ACTION - All to email Mike.