# E-Access Bulletin – Issue 204, October 2018 E-Access Bulletin is produced with the support of [Thomas Pocklington Trust](http://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk). To forward this free publication to others, please use our forward link underneath the end of the bulletin instead of your email application’s ‘forward’ button. Please encourage others to subscribe at our [sign-up page](http://lists.headstar.com). For HTML and plain text versions of previous issues, please visit the [e-Access Bulletin Archive](http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?page_id=1480). Please email any questions, comments or article ideas to: [eaccessbulletin@gmail.com](mailto:eaccessbulletin@gmail.com). ## Issue 204 contents ### Section One: News 01: “New technology design agenda” needed for digital inclusion, research recommends. - Sustained training also required to boost digital skills for people with disabilities. 02: New app aims to transform rail travel for passengers with disabilities. - Passenger Assist hopes to shake up the ‘assistance booking’ system. 03: Anticipated refreshable Braille reader launches in the UK, seeking to disrupt the market. - Orbit Reader 20 aims to keep things affordable. 04: Product reviews website asks consumers to get vocal. - Ratings and feedback requested to help others. ### Section Two: News in brief 05: Treaty Progress – EU ratifies Marrakesh Treaty. 06: Sign of the Times – Machine to translate BSL into text. 07: TechShare Pro – Digital accessibility event returns. ### Section Three: Report 08: Vital Tech: Decoding assistive tech for all. A newly launched online platform is aiming to increase independent living for blind and visually impaired people, by simplifying what can be a complex topic for many: assistive technology around the home. Chris Jenkins from sight loss charity Thomas Pocklington Trust explains how the site is helping people get the most out of all kinds of assistive devices, software and apps. [Contents ends] ## Section One: News ### 01: “New technology design agenda” needed for digital inclusion, research recommends Digital skills training from local authorities and charities, and a bold new “technology design agenda” are needed to give people with sensory impairments the full benefits of digital services and products, a new study has claimed. Conducted by Swansea University in partnership with RNIB Cymru (the Welsh chapter of the Royal National Institute of Blind People), the research looked at digital media usage by sensory impaired users in Wales, based on questionnaire responses from 396 RNIB Cymru members. Respondents were of a variety of age ranges (73% were over 65-years-old) and recorded themselves as possessing a range of visual and hearing impairments. Respondents were asked about digital devices and assistive technologies they use, online activities, perceived benefits and challenges of using digital media, digital skills, and training. The study noted that the majority of respondents were keen to use various technologies, but respondents also highlighted barriers that prevented them from becoming fully engaged with a digital society. Financial restraints were a key issue, with the price of various assistive technologies acting as a barrier for many, particularly compared to non-specialist devices. Another significant problem was availability of training, with 24% of respondents stating they did not know where to seek digital skills training or support. Only 3% were given training by their employer. Web accessibility was also found to be a barrier. Respondents noted issues with partially or fully inaccessible websites, such as moving graphics and illegible text. Based on these issues and individual comments, the report makes a number of recommendations. Although the study focused solely on digital media usage in Wales, one of the report’s authors, Dr Yan Wu – Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications at Swansea University – told e-Access Bulletin that if applied nationwide, the recommendations would also be useful for people with sensory impairments across the UK. She said: “With more and more products and services moving online, discrepancies in media use, attitude and behaviour affect people’s wellbeing, as well as their level of participation in social life.” The primary recommendation of the report is for “sustained training and support” to teach or boost digital skills, including the following: 61% of respondents wanted to improve online skills; 55% wanted to communicate with family and friends; 49% wanted to know more about protecting their personal data online. The report states that support and training are “still needed from local authorities, charities and industries from both public and private sectors, so that sensory impaired users can grasp the whole range of accessibility functions enabled by digitalisation.” One way of aiding this is letting people know about existing accessibility functions in products and devices they already use, the report states: “Many users are simply unaware of features that can help them, embedded in the operating system of their devices. Most modern devices are designed to provide a polished ‘user experience’, so tend to disavow formal training and manuals.” Other suggestions in the report include highlighting free assistive technology solutions to a wider range of people, ensuring that web accessibility guidance is followed (specifically, British Standard 8878, a web accessibility code of practice), and instilling a “new technology design agenda” to both public and private sector. Speaking about this design agenda, Dr Wu said: “Instead of focusing on technological capacity and market profit … design should [focus] on users and tailor the technology capacity around the needs of the user. Ultimately, digital technologies should be used to improve the quality of life for people – disabled or non-disabled.” Read the report in full at [Swansea University’s website](https://www.swansea.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/research/research-projects/digital-media-and-sensory-impaired-users-project/). [Comment on the ‘Digital media usage’ story now at e-Access Bulletin Live](http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=1756). ### 02: New app aims to transform rail travel for passengers with disabilities A free mobile app to help improve train travel around the UK for passengers with disabilities is being tested by four rail companies, with other operators set to begin trials before a national roll-out. The Passenger Assist app aims to overhaul the assistance booking process, solving problems faced by some passengers that use the system. Currently, passengers can request assistance online or over the phone before travelling. Types of assistance could include requesting help in boarding a train or moving around the station due to a visual or mobility impairment, requesting assistance with luggage, or booking a wheelchair ramp or on-board wheelchair area. This information is passed on to staff at the relevant stations, but there is currently no quick way to alert staff if this information suddenly changes – for example, if a passenger will be arriving late or requires extra assistance. The idea behind Passenger Assist is for both staff and passengers to use the app, giving a more instant form of two-way communication. Passengers can easily book assistance through the app and can also change the request at short notice. Staff can view booking information in real-time, allowing them to accommodate passengers’ access needs and changes more effectively. Customers can also set up a user profile on the app with details of relevant conditions or impairments and their specific access needs when travelling. This makes it easier to book repeat journeys without having to repeatedly input the same information – something which the current system requires. Passenger Assist has been developed by technology company Transreport in partnership with Disability Rights UK, with further input from user groups within RNIB, Scope, Blind Veterans UK and Anxiety UK. The app is currently being trialled by West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway. Some of the trials began in March, but recent media attention has brought the app and the testing to a wider audience. Ara Shikhalislami, Transreport’s project manager for Passenger Assist, told e-Access Bulletin that trials with other train companies are scheduled, as “other rail operators are seeing the benefit” of the current trials. The list of other operators has not yet been made public. Transreport, in partnership with the Rail delivery Group (RDG), will begin making the app available nationally to rail companies later this year for staff to familiarise themselves with the system before the public begins using it. Passenger Assist will then be launched publicly in summer 2019. The app will be free and available on iOS and Android devices. Asked which rail companies will use the app once launched, Shikhalislami said: “This will be determined by the RDG and the industry itself. As Transreport, we will ensure the app is ready for use by all train operators. However, each train operator will have their own plans to ensure staff and technology will successfully support the roll-out.” Greater Anglia have published [hello@transreport.co.uk](https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/new-passenger-assistance-app-trial-will-help-disabled-passengers-in">a call-out on their website asking for passengers to test the app on specific routes. Transreport is also requesting for members of the public to help test the system with other train companies. Anyone interested in taking part can email Vital Tech site. The Vital Tech team are keen to receive comments or suggestions about the site. Please email any feedback to: