Page 26 - YOU Magazine | Issue 2

For those attempting to communicate with a large number of people at once, Slack is a hugely popular app for chat that offers the ability to video call another member.
Users claim it’s great for spontaneous video conversations, and its large bold buttons and resizable text are helpful for users with moderately low vision.
One-to-one video calls, such as those offered by Apple FaceTime, are well-suited for those who
– but only on the devices that have them turned on so they don’t present a distraction to attendees who don’t want them.
In June, the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit launched a free online course offering tips on how to make video conferencing more inclusive for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who are visually impaired.
Manisha says that since the start of lockdown, Zoom and Microsoft have both rapidly
in many circumstances. For the blind/low vision community, sound is essential to ensure they get the same experience and information. Zoom has been good, as it almost forces one speaker at a time, preventing cognitive overload by having too many voices talking
at once.”
Captioning is not perfect and
it has failed in some places, but it has made a huge positive impact for people on Zoom calls and Google Hangouts for instance. The organisations understood that it wasn’t going to be perfect straight away, but they rolled it out with
an AI system to help it constantly improve and learn.
“We need to look for opportunities like that,” Manisha says.
“Trying is a lot better than ignoring. And we can learn a lot on the way.”
Manisha says COVID-19 has taught us that if we design for people often left behind, we design for everyone. For this reason, it’s important to continue to ask the questions: who is left behind?
and what is it in our design that is causing that?
“From captioning and having the option to see people’s faces to technology that is simple to use and doesn’t compromise privacy. Just by working with diverse communities of real users we can make the world of difference.”
“Trying is a lot better than ignoring. And we can learn a lot on the way.”
communicate using sign language, or have other physical challenges.
Apple’s Live Listen lets you fine-tune your Made for iPhone hearing aids to help you hear more clearly, while its Switch Control functionality is an assistive technology that lets you use built- in features as well as a joystick, or other adaptive devices to control what’s on your screen.
Hard-of-hearing users are likely to benefit from the automatic captions that are available in Google Meet. As easy to use as clicking on the menu and selecting the “Turn on captions” item, captions appear
improved their platforms with captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This has also benefited those who have problems with their internet, as their connection may jump when someone is talking but the captions keep them up to date.
For the vision impaired community, it is about changing the way we react online, she says.
“Many of us are guilty of using hand gestures instead of speaking on video calls, thumbs up being
a great example. We have to remember that this is not an effective form of communication
A new letter writing initiative is set to bring meaningful connection to thousands of older Australians who are feeling vulnerable as a result of Coronavirus.
The Letterbox Project connects older Australians who have been excluded from their usual social networks during the pandemic with a network of over 5,000 letter writers, including families and school groups.
An initiative of Connected AU and COTA Australia, the two groups are calling on members
of the community to register
older family members, friends
or neighbours who would like to receive a small gesture of kindness in the form of a letter.
Connected AU founder Mea Campbell says public support for the Letterbox Project has been overwhelming so far.
She says the Letterbox Project is an important initiative at a time when the rest of the nation is beginning to open up, but advice to older Australians is to “be cautious and largely remain at home”.
“In times like this, receiving
a letter from someone you’ve never met who is thinking of you and wishes to bring you joy is
a wonderful feeling for anyone. It’s a sense of connection that
is unique to letter writing and
it gives visibility and value to
the recipient.”
To register as a writer or receiver go to: www. connectedau.com.au/the- letterbox
For those who are not digitally connected contact COTA Australia on 1300 26 82 28.
26 WINTER 2020 You