21 years of promoting accessibility BT’s Age and Disability Action Dave Barrett, Technology & Information Manager

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate Agenda BT’s approach to inclusion A&D’s vision & aims BT’s response to DDA Further developments

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate we celebrate diversity our aspiration is ‘effortless inclusion’ we aim for accessibility of the mainstream BT’s approach to inclusion

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate last year celebrated 20 years, a unique team regional (north & south) & information teams Regional Manager South, Alan Brooker Regional Manager North, Henry Gray Technology & Info Manager, Dave Barrett Information & Tech Manager, Vanessa Hardy Regional Advisors (Outreach activity) A&D Advisors (Comms, alternative media, intranet & internet) BT’s Age & Disability Action team

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate Ambassadors for BT promoting products & services consulting with consumer groups advising on communication solutions The Customers’ Champion lobbying on behalf of disabled customers advising on accessibility supporting product development & new opportunities Age & Disability Action

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate BT’s response to the DDA Improving accessibility …… Long tradition of corporate responsibility catalyst for internal education & awareness challenge to remain leader in field opportunities for using new technologies inclusive product management …… still improving

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate Inclusive Product Management : Developing Products & Services by ….. utilising strong links with Product Managers enhancing range of inclusively designed phones actively thinking about uses by disabled people set up a BT employee User Panel

A&D - providing the freedom to communicate Areas of further development : challenging current perceptions - ambient interfaces opening up services - speaking SMS making technology work for users - SMART cards stimulating access to new technologies - talking books enabling independent living - home monitoring

Ambient Device : Using Technology to challenging current perceptions. No Keyboard Sight and Sound (inc Voice) communication Always on and updated in real time Flexible to meet your needs –Friends on messenger –Latest Ebay bids –local traffic or weather A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

Talking SMS : Using Technology to challenging current perceptions. Mesar and Simon from West of England, visually impaired Highlighted social exclusion on text messaging We can now read out text messages in a natural voice Excess of 64,000 of words in vocabulary Working on voice recognition as well Innovation is key A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

SMART cards : Making Technology work for us (WIIFM) Data on the card holds your requirements Sets Kiosks to Larger Print Enables voice prompt Automatically enters your details in to forms Checks for any alterations to the services you are currently using. A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

Talking books : The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support people who may be word blind Dyslexia Blind Mobility or Dexterity impairments Reduced costs in paper and distribution Access to new books as they become available A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

Telecare : The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support independent living for older, frail and disabled people In 2001, 20% of the UK population was over 60 years of age By 2026 this will have risen to 30% 80% want to stay in familiar surroundings Costs £3,000 to £5,000 a year to operate Could save local authorities across the UK around £700 million a year if fully deployed. A&D - providing the freedom to communicate

Any Questions ?