Toby grew up with the introduction of computers and new technology from the launch of the ZX81, ZX Spectrum and the BBC B Micro Computer in the 1980s through to the launch of mobile phones and the internet in the 1990s and the birth of the Apple iPhone the first fully accessible smartphone on the market in the mid 2000s. His journey through the use of what is called assistive technology has traveled along the same timeline from the early days of DOS based portable computers with speech software to being able to use Windows first with magnification software to now having to rely on speech software on both Windows and Mac computers and now linking up his iPhone to a refreshable Braille display.
Toby has a wide knowledge of a variety of different types of assistive technology such as screen reading and magnification software including; Hal, Supernova, ZoomText, Magics and JAWS on Windows based computers to the use of Apple’s VoiceOver screen reading software on iPhone, iPad and MacBooks.
Toby is in a unique place to help and assist website, smartphone and tablet app developers on how best to make their websites and apps more user friendly and accessible to visually impaired people who use either magnification or screen reading software.
Some of the issues and problems that visually impaired people face when trying to access and navigate around a website or app don’t take that much to change and make a better and more accessible experience. Sometimes it is just images, buttons, links and labels that need titleing or adding in some alt text to make them readable to screen reading software, sometimes for someone who has some sight and is using magnification software it is just a case of thinking about the layout of the text and images on the page thinking about a more accessible and easy to read type of font and font size, making sure that there is good contrast between the text and the background colour or not laying text over images. It can be as simple as that!
Why should you make your website and apps accessible to someone who is visually impaired?
It is your duty and it is the law under the Equality Act 2010 for service providers to make their websites, apps and online content accessible to disabled people including those who are visually impaired.
Not only is it the law but you might be missing out on the spending power of disabled people. If you are making your website and apps inaccessible for disabled people you are also making them inaccessible to their friends and family too.
If you would like Toby to take a look at your website or app and let you know how easy and accessible it might be to someone who is visually impaired and using assistive technology then do either email info@tobydavey.co.uk or give him a call on 07551 384 348 to have a chat.