21 years of promoting accessibility BT’s Age and Disability Action Dave Barrett, Technology & Information Manager

21 years of

promoting

accessibility

BT’s Age and Disability ActionDave Barrett, Technology & Information Manager

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

Agenda

• BT’s approach to inclusion

• A&D’s vision & aims

• BT’s response to DDA

• Further developments


• we celebrate diversity

• our aspiration is ‘effortless inclusion’

• we aim for accessibility of the mainstream

BT’s approach to inclusion


• last year celebrated 20 years, 1984-2004

• a unique team

• regional (north & south) & information teams

Regional Manager South, Alan Brooker

Regional Manager North, Henry Gray

Technology & Info Manager, Dave Barrett

Information & Tech Manager, Vanessa Hardy

Regional Advisors (Outreach activity)

A&D Advisors (Comms, alternative media,

intranet & internet)

BT’s Age & Disability Action team


Ambassadors for BT

• promoting products & services

• consulting with consumer groups

• advising on communication solutions

The Customers’ Champion

• lobbying on behalf of disabled customers

• advising on accessibility

• supporting product development & new opportunities

Age & Disability Action


BT’s response to the DDA

Improving accessibility ……

• Long tradition of corporate responsibility

• catalyst for internal education & awareness

• challenge to remain leader in field

• opportunities for using new technologies

• inclusive product management

…… still improving


Inclusive Product Management :

Developing Products & Services by …..

• utilising strong links with Product Managers

• enhancing range of inclusively designed phones

• actively thinking about uses by disabled people

• set up a BT employee User Panel


Areas of further development :

• challenging current perceptions - ambient interfaces

• opening up services - speaking SMS

• making technology work for users - SMART cards

• stimulating access to new technologies - talking books

• enabling independent living - home monitoring

Ambient Device :

Using Technology to challenging current perceptions.

• No Keyboard

• Sight and Sound (inc Voice) communication

• Always on and updated in real time

• Flexible to meet your needs

–Friends on messenger

–Latest Ebay bids

–local traffic or weather


Talking SMS :

Using Technology to challenging current perceptions.

• Mesar and Simon from West of England, visually impaired• Highlighted social exclusion on text messaging• We can now read out text messages in a natural voice• Excess of 64,000 of words in vocabulary• Working on voice recognition as well• Innovation is key


SMART cards :

Making Technology work for us (WIIFM)

• Data on the card holds your requirements

• Sets Kiosks to Larger Print

• Enables voice prompt

• Automatically enters your details in to forms

• Checks for any alterations to the services you are currently using.


Talking books :

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support people who may be word blind

• Dyslexia

• Blind

• Mobility or Dexterity impairments

• Reduced costs in paper and distribution

• Access to new books as they become available


Telecare :

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support independent living for older, frail and disabled people

• In 2001, 20% of the UK population was over 60 years of age

• By 2026 this will have risen to 30%

• 80% want to stay in familiar surroundings

• Costs £3,000 to £5,000 a year to operate

• Could save local authorities across the UK around £700 million a year if fully

deployed.


Any Questions ?

Documents

21 years of promoting accessibility BT’s Age and Disability Action Dave Barrett, Technology & Information Manager