INTERVIEWS Talking to the people who know the problems better than anyone...
2.
What is your opinion...? To really understand what problems existed I had to speak to people who experienced the issues first hand... A collection of short animated clips are available, voiced by some of the visually impaired and support workers I spoke too.
Shadowing Observation Using items from Hartlepool Welfare Association as well as Dennis’ personal belongings, we discussed his opinions, methods and daily struggles... Common Insights • Expenditure • Communication • Usability • Packaging • Mobility • No Independence
“Gradually losing my sight has certainly affected the way I perceive things, I simply have to pull a screen down on things I can no longer do” Dennis Parkinson, 88, Visually Impaired
A lack of thought when designing the battery compartment means Dennis has to use another magnifying glass to see where the batteries go...
“Out of a DAB radio, Radio for the Blind or a TV, I would chose the TV. With a single controller I can simply find out the news or listen to whatever I want with ease.�
First Focus Group Visit Hartlepool Blind Welfare Association Talking to Support Staff and a small focus group gave a range of insights from packaging and shopping to ‘pet hates’ and ‘life hacks’.
“Anything item a blind person has that talks to them is always very expensive.” Nancy
“You just learn to do things differently, it takes along time.” Maureen
“Time and date are crucial for the visually impaired. It gives them a self of freedom and independence instead of asking for help for such a simple task.”
Barbara Mcleod, Hartlepool Blind Welfare Manager
“Whatever it is you design, you must be tactile and have some sort of audio feature.” Barbara
“Packaging is terrible for people like us, we have no chance. It needs to be changed, even different textures are helpful.� Elsie
Second Focus Group Visit
The Society specialise in supporting visually impaired aged from 35 and over. They offer a range of events and organise educational classes and meet ‘n’ greets for all their members. Organising a focus group with this society offered another range of insights from an elderly perspective.
“Talk to a younger people, I’m sure they’ll have a different perspective.”
“I use to campaign a lot for what I wanted, it did work sometimes” Gladis
Pat
“Playing sport was always great for me when I was younger.” Barry
“Buses are the nightmare of my life. Thankfully I can rely on the metro.” Pat
“Anything adapted is ridiculously expensive. They take advantage of our needs.” Nora
“My Husband certainly wouldn’t be able to manage independently on what is available from the RNIB at the moment.” Nora
Younger Generation
“I am not really sure there is always the right support out there for them.”
Discussing the problems a younger demographic have, opened up a range of new insights and possibilities.
“A younger age group has a different approach to life. They come across a lot more social issues that you and I probably don’t think about.” Elaine Moron NSBP Part-Time Volunteer New Referral Home Visitor
Interview with RNIB Campaigns
“I think people forget that the blind and visually impaired exist. We often don’t take notice of items that are actually designed for the visually impaired.” Lucy Dixon RNIB, North East Campaign Officer
“I feel that losing the sight at any time is traumatic, but if you are younger it opens up a range of all new problems.”
The RNIB fight for the visually impaired through their campaigns, listening to their suggestions and aiming to tackle their issues, whether it be on a local or national scale.
© RNIB
Technology & Youth Talking to Lucy Dixon, she emphasised the wide variety of campaigns that are continually fought, with the majority being “outside the home”.
One of the latest campaigns, currently in development with supermarkets, is ‘assistance shopping.’ The idea is to scan barcodes to receive audio feedback on the product and its details.
“Not everyone is ready for new technology and sometimes the simplest of changes can have the greatest results.”
Again the younger demographic were discussed. Coffee shops’ are now their local social points. However, they struggle with the signage and are campaigning against it.
Community Projects Teaching Independence Interview “Design is a really interesting area to look into. I believe that if someone is going to buy something beneficial, it should be one that can adapt to your reduction in sight.� Eamonn Dunne Community Services Development Manager
Henshaws helps a range of age groups varying in impairments. Aiming to empower people to live independently with confidence.
“Henshaws has given me my life back. Its not the same life as before but they’ve taught me to adapt.”
Joan, 80 “Technology over the past few years has revolutionised how the visually impaired live. They can now easily use the iPad and its accessibility settings on a daily basis.” Gary, 43
Sport for the Blind
“One main advantage of sport is that it can act as a confidence builder so if someone takes part in sport on their own they might start thinking they can get a job, go out on their own or live independently.”
How can this area be improved? “More accessible equipment which is affordable. Due to the market demand the price of equipment is high stopping a lot of people being able to buy it. We put on more opportunity but often borrow equipment.” Rachel Miller Smile Through Sport
A training session with Henshaws Football Team, in Partnership with Newcastle United. Using a football with a bell, priced at ÂŁ30 each
Reflection This booklet only contains a handful of people that have shared their insights and passions for the development of products and services. The visually impaired and people who work closely to them, believe their is certainly room for improvement in a range of different areas. They have highlighted various issues but choosing a topic with depth and substance is the next important step.
Potential Collaborators For the next stage of research and development the aim is to work closely with Eamonn and Lucy. Planning to set up ‘youth’ focus groups through Eamonn at Henshaws and gaining further information on the current programme schemes with Lucy through the RNIB.
? Youth Group