BT Digital Voice

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

Today I have been volunteering at an event organised by BT ( British Telecom) to explain to customers about the digital switchover that is currently in progress across the UK. This means our aged analogue systems and exchanges will be phased out in favour of more reliable and infinitely flexible systems digitally.

It is literally a 10 second job to plug your phone into a BT Smart Hub 2 . This hub has the connections built in.

What happens if you have a telecare system?

You will have backup systems in the form of a battery and a Motorola handset with integral wifi of it’s own. If you have a mobile that will also be useful.

Will I need to buy a new phone?

No, 99% of handsets are able to be plugged in without any cost.

Will it cost me to have my phone switched over?

No, it’s completely free

What about vulnerable adults?

There are systems and procedures in place that can help you. Ring the BT customer line and they will put you through to the relevant department. Becoming registered as a vulnerable person is also useful and will flag you have additional needs

What if my router is not near where I use my phone?

No problem there is an adaptor that can be paired with your BT Smart Hub 2 and you connect your phone to that.

I use Alexa can I use that on Digital Voice?

Yes with the the BT Advanced Phone as an Alexa button. At the moment there isn’t a way to use your Alexa smart speaker directly with your phone other than making calls out linking to a mobile phone. Sadly, at the moment you can’t answer calls with Alexa. At least, I don’t think so. Siri can make calls on an iPhone and you can have auto-answer but that means you might get scam calls.

What about Google Nest ? Can I use that?

Again, only if you have a mobile phone to connect through.Receiving calls is difficult to answer on Google nest with your voice.

What about scam calls?

BT have a secure and useful Scam call detection at source. This is included in your Digital Voice switchover as standard. In other words, this is more secure than your analogue system!

It was very informative to sit next to and work with a BT technician and the services have improved greatly since a year ago. For instance free backup phone and battery in case of power outages. Still for voice only users there needs to be advice that responds to voice without the need to press a button to activate it. Watch this space I am going to make a request to the RNIB about it.

unlocking potential – how employers can make job opportunities more accessible to pupil with disabilities

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

Image via Freepik

Unlocking Potential: How Employers Can Make Job Opportunities More Accessible to People with Disabilities

In today’s diverse workforce, inclusivity is not just a buzzword but a necessary strategy for growth and innovation. If you’re an employer, making job opportunities more accessible to people with disabilities is not only a legal imperative but also a significant advantage in tapping into a broader talent pool. This approach requires deliberate actions, ranging from the application process to long-term career development, guaranteeing all employees can thrive in their workplace. AccessAbility shares more:

Simplifying the Application Process

The first step to making job opportunities more accessible is by providing accessible application opportunities. This means ensuring your job application portal is fully accessible, supporting screen readers, offering alternative formats for visually impaired applicants, and including captions for auditory content. Consider also simplifying your application steps to reduce complexity, which can be a barrier for people with cognitive disabilities. Also, providing clear instructions and real-time assistance during the application process can help alleviate stress and confusion, ensuring candidates can showcase their true capabilities.

Investing in Employee Development

One great way to attract and keep talented people with disabilities is by offering perks like funding for continuing education. For instance, helping them get a cybersecurity degree from an accredited online university can equip them to safeguard your business’s computers and networks (consider this option). Online courses are flexible, so employees can juggle work with other responsibilities like medical appointments or family care. Teaming up with online schools to create customized programs can make this perk even better, boosting skills that are vital for your industry.

Building Supportive Networks

To further enhance accessibility, it’s beneficial to utilize networks that support people with disabilities. These networks can be invaluable in understanding the challenges faced by disabled individuals and providing resources tailored to their needs. Integrating feedback from these networks into your workplace policies can lead to more effective and inclusive practices. Engaging with local advocacy groups and attending workshops can also provide deeper insights into creating an accommodating and supportive work environment.

Ensuring Reasonable Accommodations

Offering reasonable accommodations is crucial in making your workplace truly inclusive. This may include ergonomic adjustments at the workstation, flexible scheduling, or providing specialized equipment. Establishing a proactive accommodation process that encourages employees to express their needs without hesitation plays a critical role in fostering inclusivity. Additionally, periodic reviews of the accommodations offered, based on employee feedback and technological advancements, keeps your workplace adaptable and supportive of all employees’ needs.

Participating in Diversity Recruitment Events

Another proactive step is participating in diversity recruitment events that focus on inclusivity for people with disabilities. These events are often a gateway to meeting potential candidates who are eager to find employers who understand and appreciate their unique talents. By actively involving your current employees with disabilities in these events, you can provide real-life testimonials on the effectiveness of your inclusive policies. This not only enhances your credibility but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Enhancing Understanding of ADA Regulations

Finally, increasing awareness and understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations within your team is essential. Regular training sessions, informative workshops, and continuous legal updates help ensure your team is well-versed in the legal landscape surrounding disability rights. Such initiatives not only foster a compliant and supportive workplace but also empower your managers and HR team to implement and uphold these practices effectively.

By adopting these strategies, you can make your workplace more accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. It’s about more than just fulfilling legal requirements — it’s about enriching your workforce with diverse perspectives and skills that can propel your business forward. Start by examining your current practices, consulting with experts, and listening to the needs of your employees. With a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, you can unlock the full potential of every individual, thereby driving innovation and success in your organization.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content at AAS123.com!)

by

Suzanne Tanner

Travels with Myles

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles
Opening session at this years TPEA Conference.

I am writing this on my third train of the day. Travelling back from Manchester today. Though I had visits to Leeds as well.

Spoke at the TPEA Conference in Manchester on Tuesday about “ The Power of Assistive Technology “ film series.

It’s a slow burn for the films but progress is being made in sharing our films with some strategic partneships. More of that as it energes.

Interesting event with some good follow on connections made. Learnt a lot – especially about the word Judicious when applied to assistive technology in the new SENCO guidance by the government. At first sight I did not get the connection but after explanation it was the correct use of Aritifical Intelligence. A lot of concern by academics present at the conference that we might loose the ability to critical think about content if it’s just AI generated. Also student’s plagarising by just accepting what AI gives. I have touched on a few guidance recommendations.

On previous blogs I have looked at aspects of AI but sense the need for more comparison of AI apps along the lines of ethics. It is increasingly clear we need ethics to guide our use of such powerful tools.

On to the BATA AGM at Glean HQ in Leeds Docks. We were spoiled rotten with the venue and the generosity of the company – Glean , thank you! BATA explained what they have done last year and what they intend to do this next year. More engagement with members and such a willingness for that to happen. There was more a buzz about the event this yeat than I have experienced in previous years. We welcomed 14 new members to the association and it proved a great networking event with great keynote speakers. Well done BATA for putting this together and thanks to Nicole, Jade and Claudia for making that happen. Pleased to see that my good friend and colleague Jack Churchill will be the next chair as Rick Bell of Texthelp after 5 years is stepping down. I wish Jack success in his new role. Mention was also made of our 1000 % increase in traffic on our website. which means we have more people taking notice of what we are doing.

Now travelling home for a rest and catchup on admin and training for clients. Just one more connection to make at Swindon. At least I have a table to write these notes on!

Writing with AI

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

As an experiment with Artificial Intelligence I asked the question of how schools with limited budgets could utilize assistive technology and then expanding the answer to include examples of how this could be done?

This is the result. What do you think? Useful or not? Accurate or not? What else do you need to do?

“Cost-effective assistive technologies for schools encompass a variety of tools designed to support students with different learning needs. For example, text-to-speech software can aid students with reading difficulties by converting written text into spoken words, and it’s often available for free or at a low cost. Speech-to-text programs are similarly beneficial for students with writing challenges. Additionally, simple yet impactful tools like graphic organizers can help students plan and organize their thoughts, and they can be easily created with common software like word processors. For students with visual impairments, screen magnification software and audio books can be invaluable, and many are readily accessible at minimal or no cost. Furthermore, specialized keyboards and alternative input devices, such as trackball mice, can assist students with physical disabilities in interacting with computers more effectively. These technologies not only support inclusive education but also foster independence and confidence in students with diverse needs.”

I think you would need to mention new technologies that may not be included in a broad article such as this. Fine as a general introduction but more needs to be given. So maybe AI provides a canvas on which our human creativity can look at and explore with. As a teacher it gives a basis on which to build on more in-deoth concepts and to teach pupils to keep asking insightful questions. The development of creative thinking could follow this route. It’s certainly present in Co-Pilot where you are prompted to expand but the teacher needs to suggest ideas, combinations of ideas and expand even further. I’ll ask Co-Pilot to draw me a teacher asking pupils to expand their questions!

COMMUNICATION WORKS

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

Just spoken about “The Power of Assistive Technology” at the above event at the New Bridge Academy School which is a large special school of 380 pupils with complex needs. The talk was well received and a number of useful connections made and I noticed many people used the QR Codes to download both the films and access to Teachers for AT.

So what else did I see? Well a shoutout to CanDle who are doing a great job in helping pupils with AAC use their devices. They are covering the nation with partnerships to enable AAC to be used effectively with the individuals.

Also Scanmarker Pen which is reader pen have produced this simple and effective guideline ruler that will help to keep your pen inline as you scan. This is a simple but very effective way to make a good scan for reading a line of text at a time.

Lastly, my good friend and colleague Rohan Slaughter was speaking at the event about the MSc EduAT course at the University of Dundee. Watch out for the work that he and his colleagues are doing with DFE on AT Assessment. This will be a thorough job and much needed in the profession as it takes a long time to get a complex assessment down.

Alison Tootil , Headteacher , gave me a tour of New Bridge Academy and it was very impressive to see the range of work being done there and in using technology to access the curriculum,. Thank you for sparing the time to show me around.

Now , on to the next event which will be the TPEA conference again in Manchester. What is it about Manchester that is making all the conference events happen there!? Let’s hope the weather improves. It has not stopped raining since I got here.

Episode 77 – Communication Works

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-safij-161eea1
In this episode I am talking about the great event put on by ACE Centre and CENMAC called Communication Works.

GAAD today

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

Global Accessibility Awarness Day is big in the states but not as well known over here in the UK. Today I am celebrating with Historic Environment Scotland by doing a session on Microsoft Accessibility. What are you doing to commerate the day?

Really looking forward to this!

What’s really important to sy is that assistive technology is for everyone and if we can show just one little item or service someone didn’t know it would help their work situation.

More from The National SEND and Disability Conference

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

As I write this on the journey back from Manchester I reflect back on a really good day. Made some useful contacts and saw some useful SEN resources too.

EHCP Plus is an online service that cuts the time down from writing EP’s from hours to an hour. Useful for academy trusts and LEA’s this might help standardise the process.

KAIT solutions have a smart pen that shows exactly how a pupil/student writes. Michael JH Won uses this to give accurate data to inform about the users writing difficulties. We sometimes lack evidence to back up what we know as teachers the problem is. Tools like the pen may inform us to intervene successfully.

Every Cherry is a unique children’s book company incorporating a range of accessibility from dyslexia friendly fonts and paper to symbolised and sensory books to tell stories in a sensory way

In search of careers advice? Need to plan your strategies for transfers between school/college and work? Then the Resource Directory from the Careers and Enterprise group might be what you are looking for. There are SEND resources as well.

Limio is a resource that is free for the first 10 lessons before you pay but allows users to access interactive lessons on an interactive whiteboard but also on their mobile devices.

The National Special Educational Needs Conference – Manchester – 8.5.24

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

On my way to the above conference as an attendee not a speaker. Felt I needed some CPD of my own so that I can receive and not have to worry about presenting.

Never been to an event like this but think it will be interesting. Run by a governement sponsored organisation and the programme looks interesting. Should learn loads but will see and let you know.

May is a busy speaking month with engagements in Leeds and Oldham as well. The Yorkshire Dyslexia Festival on the 18th May where I am speaking on “The Transformative Power of Assistive Technology” and Oldham where I am speaking at Communication Matters ( a long standing and important conference) on “The Power of Assistive Technology” and “Teachers for AT” initiative. Both events are a passion so it should be good. If you are going to any of these events please in introduce yourself to me!

Body implants

Posted on by AccessAbility Smyles

Recently I was involved in a car crash as I fainted at the wheel of my car and drifted across the white line into an oncoming car. No one, including myself was hurt which is amazing,

As the medical profession invested the cause I have been fitted with a sub-dermal heart monitor to keep an eye on my heart rhythms. This was decided in a few minutes so had little or no time to think about it.

Since that has happened some really interesting thoughts have been happening and felt it useful to share chance any readers face a similar situation.

Here are some of my initial questions:-

“Will it blow up inside my body?”

“Can they switch me off remotely?”

“Can the government track my location through it?”

“Will it get infected inside my body?”

Some questions are irrational. No it won’t blow up in my body or I won’t be switched off. Third parties do have access to the data for the purpose of improving their product but who controls the data? No, the government can’t track my location as it’s monitoring my heart beat not using GPS. Perhaps the only thing of concern is infection as it’s a foreign body under my skin but not inside my body.

I could ring the hospital and discuss my questions with them. I think that should be part of the process in any case for any implants as it;s invasive to the person and requires a minor 10 minute operation to complete with local anaesthetic.

“How long will it be there? Surely, it’s temporary till they sort the problem out?”

Well no, it will be there for at least three years. That’s the life span of the device. Which means the sending unit I will have to do everyday now. The heart monitor has to be scanned to a unit which sends the information off to the hospital via a 4G phone signal. When I am out and about and have a dizzy episode or God forbid another fainting episode I can send the details off via a remote pickup device.

What is the company doing this? Medtronics.