Remote assessment to help disabled IT users
UK Charity launches free online assessment to boost access for disabled people 
From: Computeractive - 11/22/2006
By: Paul Allen

People who face difficulties using computers are set to benefit from a free
remote assessment service from IT charity Abilitynet. 

Abilitynet provides advice and training in the field of assistive technology
(AT), a broad term for training, software and hardware that enables people
with visual impairments and other disabilites to use PCs. 

Now the charity has launched a service that enables trainers to carry out the
necessary physical assessment of users' needs over a secure broadband
connection. 

In a pre-booked one-to-one session, the Abilitynet trainer uses a mixture of
VoIP, telephone and video conferencing to gauge what mix of Windows tweaks
and AT would best help the individual user, with webcams loaned to those who
do not have one. 

The trainer can also assume control of the PC remotely over the secure
connection, enabling them to tweak Windows settings and download AT software
for the user. Follow-up sessions and support by email and phone are also
available, and home visits can be arranged for those most in need. Any
specialist equipment the trainer recommends can be loaned out so that
disabled users can try it out.  

Abilitynet's director of operations, David Banes, said the scheme would
vastly increase the numbers of people the charity could help each year. 

He said: "It's not a privilege to be part of the online world - it's a human
right. Self-assessment of this type means we can tailor help more on the
basis of actual need, and let those that can help themselves do so while
spending extra time with those who have more specialist needs. 

Submitted by Jerry Weisman

Read the entire article at:
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/news/2169310/remote-assessment-accessibility-assistive

Links:
Abilitynet
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/index.php

David Banes
http://euroaccessibility.org/area.asp?id=3

Remote Assessment Project for Scotland (RAPS)
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/raps/

Remote Assessment Project for London
pamela.hardaker@abilitynet.org.uk

