Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion

David Robinson and Thomas CrawfordMay 2015

agenda

• introducing Texthelp

•digital inclusion challenge

•overcoming the barriers for the print disabled

•social business model for assistive technology provision

•browsealoud assistive technology – reading support for

the web

from literacy to life

partners

Digital Inclusion – What is it?

Example Text

● Global initiative that aims to address inequalities in society

● Exists when everyone in society can access technologies and

benefit from their use in ways that are personally meaningful

and relevant

● Encompasses a number of inter-related themes…Access Access to technologies e.g. mobile phones, computers, tablets, the internet, a broadband connection

Use Using, and being able to use, the technologies that you have access to

Empowerment

Having basic digital skills and being self-sufficient

Participation

Beyond civic engagement to include e-learning

millions of citizens in need of help

80,000,000 in Europe

don’t have basic online skills

79,940,000 population of

Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Czech

Republic, Portugal, Hungary, Austria

50,000,000 people in Europe are dyslexic and many face impaired

access to education and work

Source: European Dyslexic Association, 2014

people in Europe with reduced mobility represent 40% of the

population

Source: European Disability Forum, 2014

30,000,000 people in Europe are blind or partially sighted

Source: European Blind Union, 2014

millions of Europeans live outside their country of origin

Source: neweuropeans.net, 2015

the divide is widening

divide widening

harder to find and get jobs

Pay higher prices for goods & services that are offline

Unequal access to public services that are increasingly moving online

divide widening

Increased social exclusion as relationships go online

Ageing population Young people without home internet may struggle with educational attainment

digital inclusion matters to everyone

Example Text

Digital Inclusion Challenge

Barriers to Inclusion:

• No Physical Access

• Economically Disadvantaged

• Print Disabled

Dyslexia

Mild Visual Impairments

Non-native Speakers

Low Literacy

Ageing Population

Example Text

Overcoming the Barriers for the Print Disabled

Many Forms of Assistive Technology can help

● Screen Readers for people who are blind or seriously visually

impaired

● Screen Magnifiers and Text Enlargers to help people with milder

visual impairment

● Text Readers for people who have dyslexia or difficulty reading

Example Text

Assistive Technology Ownership

Microsoft & Forrester Research found:

There is a negative correlation with disability and earning power.

● People who need Assistive Technology cannot afford it.

There is a higher proportion of disabled people among lower socio-economic

groups.

● People who cannot afford assistive technology are more likely to need it.

social business model

free at the point of use

we’ll take care of the tough stuff

boosting digital skillsengagement and achievement

introducing browsealoud

browsealoud toolbar

hover highlighting

text selection

translator

MP3 maker

text magnification

screen mask

web page simplifier

customisable settings

dual colour highlighting

browsealoud toolbar

translator• written and spoken translation in 35 languages• written translation in a further 43 languages• option to switch on/off as desired by website owner

MP3 maker• website visitors can convert text to MP3 file• website owners can create their own MP3 files

browsealoud toolbar

text magnification• magnifies text as it is read aloud• text displayed along top of the screen• large, x large and xx large text sizes

screen mask• blocks distractions on the screen• letterbox reading window

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….…7,000 Websites Worldwide including:

browsealoud demo

New Look browsealoud – Coming very soon: ● New toolbar - New Mobile toolbar● New “Launch Pad” ● New easy integration options

o Choose your toolbaro Choose your Launch Pad location

● Increased usability, increased discoverability, increased accessibility

● Keyboard Accessible

http://babmqa.texthelp.com/uitest/orange-top-right.html

why browsealoud• helps remove barriers to digital inclusion• promotes social inclusion and personal empowerment• provides support and information to vulnerable groups• fully scalable• works on all common platforms: pc’s, mac’s, tablets, smartphones• reduces costs

in person

phone post online

PWC $16.45 $5.29 $18.90 $0.12

99% savin

gsinteraction cost:

 

David RobinsonGeneral Manager – Corporate

tel: +44 (0) 28 9442 8105email: d.robinson@texthelp.com

t.crawford@texthelp.com

web: www.texthelp.com

Thomas CrawfordInternational Business development