How Abilitynet helps the disabled use PCs

Computers and the internet have created a new freedom for people of all ages, making it easier for them to work and communicate.

However, Abilitynet, a charity that helps disabled people use technology and the internet, says around 10 million people in the UK struggle to use PCs.

Their disabilities can range from the physical, such as arthritis or motor neurone disease and blindness, to learning and mental conditions. Yet manufacturers often fail to take into account the limitations such conditions have on people when designing products.

Web developers can be equally ignorant of disabled people’s needs. For some, using a conventional PC is simply too prohibitive.

Abilitynet was established in 1998 as ‘a one-stop shop’ where disabled people can get advice on technology and accessibility.

It was formed by merging the Foundation for Communication for the Disabled, which supplied disabled users with specially adapted keyboards and software, and the Compatibility Centre, a charity set up by computer giant IBM.

The charity offers free help to individuals. For example, a computer consultant will remotely access a person’s PC over the internet and make adjustments so it is easier to operate. The charity will also visit a disabled person’s home to install equipment, give training and ongoing support. Providing such services costs the charity around £500,000 a year.

Abilitynet also runs a free telephone helpline, which last year received 16,000 calls.

David Banes, director of development at Abilitynet, said: “We see access to technology as a basic human right. We work hard to ensure disabled people are included in every aspect of this industry.”

Abilitynet, which is run on a not-for-profit basis, raises around £3m a year through donations from technology companies, including IBM and Microsoft, as well as private donations. Further funds are raised through consultancy work. Volunteers visit companies, schools and hospitals to help establish if an employee has the correct technology and software in place to work efficiently.

Mr Banes said one of the biggest challenges for Abilitynet was getting disabled and older people to understand that specialist products could help them. The charity often finds confusion among disabled users regarding the products available.

“The challenge for hardware is that people do not understand that they don’t necessarily have to use traditional peripherals. But the wrong equipment can convince people they’ll never get their independence back again.”

The charity assesses users to see if alternative technologies are more appropriate, such as voice-recognition or eye-tracking systems for people who can’t use their hands.

It also has a section on its website with detailed information showing people how to adjust settings on their PC, including how to change the font size and lower the speed of a mouse cursor. People wishing to buy products such as keyboards with bigger letters, mice for left-handed users and Braille readers can also contact the charity. It will look into different suppliers and advise on the best price.

In cases where a person can’t afford to buy a product, Abilitynet will try to help, but Mr Banes says this money comes from a “very small fund”.

The charity uses volunteers to test products such as keyboards, mice and telephones. Software is also tested. Abilitynet works with developers creating anything from word-processing programs to games and speech-recognition software and advises on how they can be improved. Disabled people then test the software against a list of criteria including how easy it is to use, plus looking at the colours and fonts used.

The charity runs a similar test for websites. However, Mr Banes says many sites ­ especially those based on user-generated content such as Facebook and Myspace ­ take scant account of the needs of the disabled.

For example, screen-reader software can give visually impaired people a commentary on the contents of a web page, but it only works if web designers provide the text in the design ­ many don’t. Sites that rely on user-generated content also fail to offer different fonts, colours or text sizes.

“There are still many challenges we need to overcome, but we are working with the industry to ensure they understand how important accessibility is,” said Mr Banes.

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