Assistive Technology
Welcome to the Assistive Technology section of the Sight for Surrey website. Here you will find information about software and hardware which can assist you in the use of a Computer, Smart Phone, Tablet, Smart Speaker and more.
Sight for Surrey employs an Assistive Technology Specialist, Gary Eady, who provides information, guidance, support and training in all aspects of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), in conjunction with specialist screen reading and/or screen magnification software. Gary has over 25 years’ experience of working with blind and vision impaired people and being blind himself, can fully understand the frustrations of trying to use technology with reduced vision.
Gary is able to support you with a wide range of specialist software and hardware solutions, including:
Screen Reading:
- JAWS for Windows
- SuperNova Screen Reader
- NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access)
Screen Magnification:
- Windows Magnifier
- SuperNova Magnifier with Speech
- ZoomText with Speech
- Dolphin Guide and Guide Connect
Smart Phones and Tablets:
- Apple iPhone and iPad with VoiceOver (screen reader) and Siri
- Android Smart Phone and Tablet with TalkBack (screen reader)
- Specialist Apps for the Blind
- Synapptic software
- Blind Shell Classic Smart Phone
Smart Speakers:
- Amazon Echo with Alexa
- Google Home with Google Assistant
Employment Support:
Gary can also provide specialist support for those who are in employment and who may be struggling with their Assistive Technology. In addition, he can support by providing information on the government scheme Access To Work, which supports people with disabilities in the workplace.
ICT Volunteers:
Gary is also responsible for all ICT Volunteers who work for Sight For Surrey. He provides each volunteer with a hands-on introduction to Assistive Technology, as well as providing handouts on the subject of specialist technology. Our ICT Volunteers can offer support in the setup of a computer, Smart Phone or Tablet and Smart Speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. In addition, our ICT Volunteers can support in the areas of diagnosing and fixing problems with printers, broadband rooters and email accounts.
For further information, please contact Gary Eady, email: geady@sightforsurrey.org.uk or by telephone on 01372 377701.
Let’s Talk Tech
What is Let’s Talk Tech?
Let’s Talk Tech is a webinar, hosted by Gary Eady, Access Technology Trainer at Sight for Surrey, using the Zoom Cloud Meetings platform. It runs on the last Wednesday of each month, with the exception of August and December. The webinar usually runs between 11:00am and 12:30pm (except June) and concentrates on a range of topics to do with technology.
Wednesday webinars for 2023
The confirmed webinars for 2023 are as follows:
Wednesday, 26 April: Talking books, what’s available and how to listen!
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the various methods of listening to talking books. Topics will include Reading Services by the RNIB, Amazon’s Audible service, the In Your Pocket device by RealSam and a range of devices for playing talking books on.
Wednesday, 31 May: Accessibility features built-in to Android devices
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the features built-in to Android devices (Smartphones and Tablets). These include large print options, invert colours, Zooming in and out and the built-in screen reader called TalkBack. In addition, Gary will demonstrate and discuss some specialist Apps for reading text from printed documents.
Wednesday, 28 June: What can I do with an Amazon Echo and Alexa?
Time: 2:00pm to 3:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the range of Amazon Echo Smart speakers and the requirements for getting one to work. He will also go through many of the things that can be achieved using Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant.
Wednesday, 26 July: Using an iPhone or iPad with low vision
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the features built-in to an iPhone or iPad, designed to help people with vision impairments. These include zooming in and out, inverting screen colours, large text options, dictation and the built-in screen reader called VoiceOver.
Wednesday, 26 September: Synapptic, the App that makes a Smartphone or Tablet easy to use
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the Android App called Synapptic. This App presents all of the features in large print with a high-contrast colour scheme. It also speaks out the menus and other screens as you navigate. It’s the ideal App for a person who is either new to using a Smartphone, or can no longer use their device due to sight loss.
Wednesday, 25 October: Using the VoiceOver screen reader on your Apple iPhone or iPad
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the VoiceOver screen reader, which is built-in to all Apple iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). This gives a blind person access to all of the features available on the device, as well as access to hundreds of specialist Apps that make the lives of people with vision impairments much easier.
Wednesday, 29 November: Windows 10/11 Accessibility features for people with vision impairments
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
In this webinar, Gary will discuss and demonstrate the range of features built-in to Windows 10/11 designed to help people with a vision impairmens. These include the magnifier, high contrast colour schemes, large mouse pointers, using dictation and the built-in screen reader called Narrator.
If you are interested in joining any of these webinars, please contact the Helpdesk at Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey on 01372 377701 and request to be booked onto the session, or email info@sightforsurrey.org.uk
You can download a schedule of 2023 Let’s Talk Tech dates here
