BrowseAloud: Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion

David Robinson06 November 2014

Agenda

• About Texthelp

• Digital Inclusion Challenge

• Overcoming the Barriers for the Print Disabled

• Assistive Technology Ownership

• Social Model for Assistive Technology Provision

• BrowseAloud Assistive Technology

Example Text

About Texthelp Ltd

● World Leaders in Assistive Technology Solutions – 18 Years

● NI Head Office , Boston Office, Global Reseller Network

● Partnerships:

Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

Apple Business Partner

Adobe Solutions Network Developer

● Awards/Certifications:

ISO 9001:2008

Ranked in Top 50 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in

UK/Ireland

15 consecutive years (Deloitte Technology Fast 50)

Digital Inclusion – What is it?

Example Text

● Global initiative that aims to address inequalities in society

● Exists when everyone in society can access technologies and benefit from their

use in ways that are personally meaningful and relevant

● Encompasses a number of inter-related themes…

Access Access to technologies e.g. mobile phones, computers, tablets, the internet, a broadband connection

Use Using, and being able to use, the technologies that you have access to

Empowerment Having basic digital skills and are self-sufficient

Participation Beyond civic engagement to include e-learning

Digital Inclusion ChallengeBarriers to Inclusion:

• No Physical Access

• Economically Disadvantaged

• Print Disabled

Dyslexia

Mild Visual Impairments

Non-native Speakers

Low Literacy

Ageing Population

Example Text

Digital Inclusion Landscape

● European Commission estimates that one in six people in the EU have a

disability – or some 80 million. ¹

(80 million: the equivalent to the population in Belgium, the Czech

Republic, Greece, Hungary and the Netherlands together)

● At least 50 million people in Europe are dyslexic and many face impaired access

to education and work. ²

● People with reduced mobility represent more than 40% of the EU population. ³

● 30 million people in the EU are blind or partially sighted. ⁴

● On 1st January 2013, the foreign-born population was 33.5 million in the EU-27 ⁵

¹ euobserver.com, 2014, ² European Dyslexia Association, 2014, ³ European Disability Forum, 2014, ⁴ European Blind Union, 2014 , ⁵ Eurostat, 2013

Overcoming the Barriers for the Print DisabledMany forms of assistive technology can help people with disabilities and reading

difficulties:

• Screen Readers for people who are blind or seriously visually impaired

• Screen Magnifiers and Text Enlargers to help people with milder visual impairment

• Text Readers for people who have dyslexia, or difficulty reading

Example Text

Assistive Technology Ownership

Microsoft & Forrester Research found:

There is a negative correlation with disability and earning power.

● People who need Assistive Technology cannot afford it.

There is a higher proportion of disabled people among lower socio-economic

groups.

● People who cannot afford assistive technology are more likely to need it.

Social Model for Assistive Technology Provision

• Our Assistive Technology is made available free for users at the point of use on

websites

• Website owners pay a subscription to support the development, distribution and

support of the free assistive software

• More than 7,000 websites around the world use BrowseAloud

Example Text

BrowseAloud Assistive Technology

Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion

BrowseAloud Toolbar

Hover Highlighting

Text Selection

Translator

MP3 Maker

Text Magnification

Screen Mask

User Settings

Example Text

Dual Colour Highlighting

BrowseAloud Toolbar

Translator• Written and Spoken Translation in 35 Languages• Written Translation in a Further 43 Languages• Option to Switch On/Off as Desired by Website Owner

MP3 MakerWebsite Visitors Can Convert Text to MP3 FileWebsite Owners Can Create Their Own MP3 Files

BrowseAloud Toolbar

Text MagnificationMagnifies Text as it is Read AloudText Displayed Along Top of the ScreenLarge, X Large and XX Large Text Sizes

Screen MaskBlocks Distractions on the ScreenLetterbox Reading Window

BrowseAloud Toolbar

Text SimplifierRemoves Clutter from the ScreenArticles can be Summarised

User PreferencesCustomise to Suit Individual NeedsOptions to ChangeVoice, Speed of Voice, Text Size, Contrast

BrowseAloud Community

Demonstration

Why Consider BrowseAloud

● Helps Remove Barriers to Digital Inclusion

● Promotes Social Inclusion & Personal Empowerment

● Provides Support & Information to Vulnerable Groups

● Fully Scalable

● Works on all common Platforms – PC’s, Mac’s, iPhone, iPad, Android Tablets &

Phones

● Reduce Costs

InteractionCost:

In Person Telephone Post Online

SOCITM £14.00 £5.00 n/a £0.17

PWC £10.53 £3.39 £12.10 £0.08

99% Savings

* SOCITM Research, PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Thank You for Listening

Any Questions?

David Robinson, Texthelp LtdEmail:

d.robinson@browsealoud.comWeb: www.browsealoud.com