It wasn’t that long ago that people with disabilities had essentially no choice in what technology they purchased. It had to be the ultra-expensive, customised and cut-down device that incorporated accessibility features that were unavailable in mainstream computer products.
However, while mainstream technologies have largely caught up, a number of specialist products continue to be released. With so much variety, it’s tough for consumers with disabilities to make informed choices.
On one hand, the specialist technologies provide excitement and innovation Just this week we’ve seen an Israeli start-up company producing Google Glass-style glasses that help a blind person read, and T.V. Raman’s maths-reading system now ready for the web. With such products being a little bit outside the box, there’s definitely a place for exciting and innovative specialist products.
Yet, on the other hand, we see another product that has received a lot of attention, but it’s one that I find much harder to get excited about – the partnership between Project RAY and Odin Mobile to create a mobile phone specifically around an eyes-free specialist phone.
The concept itself sounds OK. A phone carrier partners with a phone manufacturer to ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired get full support on their device, and issues specifically relating to the disability group are addressed. I initially thought this was a wonderful idea, until I read about the phone being offered. Alarm bells started ringing for me when I saw phrases like:
- “Unique operating system”
- "Specialist built-in apps”
- “…including voice calls, email, messaging, calendar, GPS, advanced WEB remote assistance, voice recorder, panic and emergency services, and more.”
The reason for my concern is that I can’t help but wonder if such devices are really necessary in this day and age. Do people who are blind or vision impaired really want a specialist OS or do they want to use the same phones that everyone else is using, like an iPhone or an Android device? Do people want to be limited to specialist built-in apps or do they want to choose their own? Is a phone that can only do the basics really enough when most people have access to tens of thousands of apps?
The other key issue when it comes to specialist solutions is price: most people who are blind or vision impaired will relate to the frustration when it used to take years for a specialist accessible version of a popular mainstream product to be released, only to discover that the product is several times more expensive than its mainstream alternative. To add insult to injury, the cost of having the product distributed over here in Australia adds even more expense as the local distributors have agreements that prevent the consumer from being able to purchase the product directly from the US, combining the ‘disability tax’ with the ‘Australia tax’.
For me, the answer is clear. With Android smartphones costing as little as $99 here in Australia and a wealth of screen reader and eyes-free apps available, as well as low-cost apps that simplify the interface like BIG Launcher, there’s plenty of affordable mainstream options that would significantly reduce the needs for a specialist phone. For those who want to spend a little more money, the iPhone offers even more accessibility out of the box and is well supported by the online community through websites such as AppleVis.
While it’s important to acknowledge that a lot of good work has gone into the specialist phone, and it’s important to also acknowledge that I haven’t actually used the phone in question, bigger questions need to be asked. Why do such devices continue to be provided? And why aren’t there more partnerships between phone carriers and manufacturers to provide disability support for mainstream devices?
Discussing this with other people who are blind or vision impaired, a few issues tend to stand out. One is the learning curve for mainstream devices and the desire to stick with what they know. Many people here still use ageing Nokia phones with the TALKS screen reader, and want an upgrade that still works in a similar way. For these people, the specialist phone and support from a mobile carrier would be an ideal solution.
Another related reason is that this is also the option promoted by many disability service provides who are either unaware of the mainstream platforms, or largely rely on assistive technology vendors for advice.
Yet in other conversations in the blind and vision impaired community, and more broadly online, it’s clear that this view is rapidly fading. The majority of people want access to the same market-leading devices that the rest of the population use. They want to choose from the same library of apps and participate in the same activities online.
Disability service providers are rapidly seeking independent advice to complement the advice from assistive technology vendors, providing clients with a well-rounded view of technology options. While a vision impaired-specific phone may have been the best option 10 years ago, and it’s important to acknowledge that for a small group that may still be the case, low-cost modern devices have stepped up with their accessibility and usability options.
It’s my hope that more recognition will be given to the innovation of making mainstream technologies accessible. In addition to the great work of Apple and Google, Microsoft has done a fantastic job in updating its accessibility features in Windows 8 by making its magnifier and Narrator screen reader dual-interface-accessible through either the keyboard or touch screen. While few awards marked the achievement, it opens the door for significant improvements in future mainstream devices.
There is always a place for exciting innovation in specialist technologies. It’s my hope, though, that where specialist devices start to reinvent the wheel, (such as accessible smartphones), the innovation is focused on building on the knowledge base around mainstream technologies. That will ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired get full access to the smartphone experience.
Dr Scott Hollier is a project manager for Media Access Australia based in Western Australia. He is speaking about mobile device accessibility at the M-Enabling conference in August.
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