VICS Research Working Group
Introduction
The main objective of this group is to thoroughly evaluate new and existing Hardware and Software products that may be used by blind and visually impaired Computer users. These products are tried and tested in terms of their accessibility and recommended or dismissed based on this criteria.
This Group is composed of three people at present:
- It is Headed up by Brian Dalton, who is an avid Computer user and works as an IT Helpdesk Analyst.
- Paul Traynor who is an experienced Technical Support Adviser.
- Loretta Conerty who is an experienced Computer user, with a wide knowledge of both Hardware and Software products.
Owing to the fact that we are all located in different parts of the country, it is impossible for us to meet face to face. Therefore, we meet using Skype, which is an internet telephony package which allows Computer users to talk freely to each other.
Some of the products we have looked at over the last twelve months were:
- Avast, which is an Anti Virus program.
- Nero, which is software used for burning files onto a CD.
- Firefox, which is an internet browser.
Products that we hope to examine over the next few months include:
- Outspoken, which is a Screen Reading program that can be used in conjunction with the Apple Mac Computer.
- Dreamweaver, which is a web design program.
- Rockbox, which is software that can be installed onto Certain Mp3 players to enable the menus to speak. It will also allow track and album titles to be spoken.
We are always looking for new members and products to examine. So, if you have any ideas for products that you think might be useful, or if you wish to participate in this group, please feel free to get in touch with me, at brian.dalton at vicsireland.org