Digital Inclusion Wales: 2008 Conference Report 13
WORKSHOPS:
Workshop D – Disabled people and ICT &
Accessible Technologies
This workshop was jointly Richard claimed that ICT could • The initial format of publicity for
hosted by Richard Jones of make or break the educational the ICT suite might not indicate
Accessible Wales and Chris experiences of people with that it’s accessible to blind
Malone of RNIB Cymru. disabilities. He closed by outlining people.
simple adjustments that could be
Richard opened the session made to computers that could
• Whether the ICT suite is easy
by briefly talking about his help people with disabilities to
to find and physically access.
organisation, Accessible Wales, use and exploit ICT. • The centre may only be set up
and relevant legislation in the to offer keyboard training, not
shape of the Disability Chris Malone from RNIB Cymru on software such as Supernova
Discrimination Act. then took over to showcase a or other accessible
particular piece of software for technologies.
Richard explained the benefits of blind and partially-sighted people
accessible ICT in the community, called Supernova. Chris is involved with a
saying that accessible ICT allows Communities @One funded project
a disabled person to: The group was then presented ‘Accessible Technologies In
• Shop online, therefore
with a scenario relating to a blind Communities’ (ATIC), which is
overcoming barriers of physical
person accessing an ICT suite, run by RNIB Cymru.
access in ‘normal’ shopping.
with delegates asked to identify
any potential barriers that person
• Keep up with daily events, may face. The group came up
news and current affairs. with the following answers:
• Keep in touch with friends and
family.
• Access education and training,
especially e-learning.