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The Product Narratives were developed by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) under the AT2030 programme in support of the ATscale Strategy.

Today, over 1 billion people require Assistive Technology (AT) to achieve their full potential, but 90% do not have access to the AT that they need. The report provides market landscapes of 3 areas of digital AT: mobile phones; screen readers; and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.

The rate of adoption of the digital AT ecosystem is supported by four cross-cutting enablers:

• Awareness of digital AT and its accessibility by users, developers, suppliers, providers, and policymakers;
• Availability of mobile network and internet connectivity;
• The application of universal design and inclusion of accessibility features; and
• Appropriate training in digital AT.

A common set of recommendations focused on improving access to the components and enablers of the digital AT ecosystem emerge from the individual product landscapes is included in this document These recommendations can be viewed as high priority areas for improving access to digital AT in low and middle-income countries.

They include:

• Develop and adopt policies, including legislation, regulations, minimum product standards, and guidelines to support accessibility and uptake of digital AT at global and country levels.
• Support Low and middle-income country governments to increase awareness of digital AT by including digital AT products, such as smartphones and AAC devices, on national assistive product lists.
• Support innovating financing schemes or negotiate pricing agreements to reduce the cost of digital AT to end users.
• Increase availability of training programmes for users, suppliers, and service providers on the importance of digital AT and digital literacy skills.

The Product Narratives will be foundational to identify and invest in interventions required to shape markets and overcome supply and demand-side barriers for priority AT. They are also a key element of the AT2030 methodology helping to identify opportunities for AT2030 and others to test innovative models of what works to improve access to AT with the potential to reach scale, through innovative products, new service delivery models and local capacity.

Download the complete report here

For accessible versions of the report please visit: Product Narrative: Digital Assistive Technology | AT2030 Programme

The post Product Narrative: A Market Landscape and Strategic Approach to Increasing Access to Digital Assistive Technology in Low- and Middle- Income Countries appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

In 2004, when I got funded by Aavishkaar, honestly I didn’t know much of the social enterprise or the venture capitalist world. I didn’t even know what it meant to have an investor.

Was fortunate to have Aavishkaar & Vineet Rai believe in the idea of BarrierBreak & my own family who was willing to back the idea with capital.

But honestly, was funding the primary need for us at that time.

In retrospect, no it wasn’t. I wish I knew this then.

I did find some amazing people who have mentored and helped me in my journey whether it was Pravin Gandhi, Arun Diaz or even conversations with the R. Sriram, Paula Mariwala or so many people I met through TiE or other connects and networks.

But the one gap I always felt, was no one really understood the disability market or the needs of the disabled community. Initially, it took time for everyone to realize that I was looking to go beyond the charity model. I wanted to create a sustainable & profitable business.

I am thankful that each of these people came into my life, asked the right questions, gave me the kind of advice that an entrepreneur needs, connected me with people I could learn from, helped me identify next steps, got me to think clearly of what I was doing or even just listened to.

As recently as last year, I was thinking of an e-commerce platform for disability solutions and the difficult conversations around the merits and perils of the e-commerce world, buying power of the audience, versus the scalability of the model made me decide to not go ahead.

My initial reaction was I want to do this but when I sat and listened and answered the tough questions, I realized that this wasn’t an area where I would get the impact I wanted to.

So if you want a mentor to help you in your startup focusing on disability solutions then apply now for the BarrierBreak Assistive Technology Startup Mentorship Program.

The post Mentorship — A gap for Assistive Technology Startups appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

BarrierBreak is proud to announce the 3 month Assistive Technology Startup (ATS) Mentorship Program to assist startup founders focusing on solutions for people with disabilities. The ATS Mentorship Program will help startups identify & solve for their  focus areas.

What we bring to the table is the deep knowledge of the disability sector, market understanding from India  & global perspective & business acumen.

Our 1st Cohort will be mentored personally by Shilpi Kapoor, our CEO who has proven that disability solutions can be nurtured into a sustainable model. Being a serial entrepreneur herself, she saw this gap in the Assistive Technology startup community and is looking to break this barrier and see people succeed in this space.

India Perspective

In the last 5 years, India has seen a surge in startups focusing on assistive technology or disability solutions. This has been a pleasant change. Since this is a relatively nascent segment, we do see them struggle to find the business model & market access that would help them become sustainable, scalable and profitable.

In the period pre-COVID, we saw 4 startups bear the brunt and have to close down. Yes, in the startup world, not every startup is a success. A recent study, “Entrepreneurial India,” by the IBM Institute for Business Value and Oxford Economics, found that 90% of Indian startups fail within the first five years. So yes, this will be true for startups focusing on disability, but can we give them a winning chance?

Why BarrierBreak ATS Mentorship Program?

The BarrierBreak ATS Mentorship Program will be a 1-1 mentoring with the startup founders where they will learn to think through their challenges & opportunities, identify solutions, create task oriented measurable plans to get to their goals. We will be starting small with only 3 startups in the C0hort.

We don’t ask you for Equity but we do ask you to be open and transparent, so we can together find the solutions.

Your idea is yours, all we want to do is support you think it through and help you succeed.

We won’t be doing the hard work for you, you will be doing it for yourself.

We don’t offer you heaven and earth in 3 months, but we do offer that you will have clarity on your plan and steps ahead to achieve your goals.

Shilpi believes that “Disability is so entrenched in the charity model, and we see most startups struggle to break out of that mindset. Yes, CSR should be one of the areas for disability solutions to be delivered to the end customers, but the differentiator will be to see how we can look at other business models to scale and create impact. So if you want to break the shackles and think out of the box, then send in your nomination for the BarrierBreak Assistive Technology Mentorship Program.”

If you have any questions, send in an email to mentorship@barrierbreak.com with your mobile number, so we can call you back to discuss.

Timeline

• Applications Close – 8th October
• Application Interview Process – 12th to 16th October
• Final Cohort Announcement – 22nd October
• Mentorship Period – 1st November to 31st January

How to Apply

Before you send in your nominations, ensure you are:

• Open to discussions, suggestions, and feedback
• Committed to investing time and working on the plans
• Ready to think out of the box

If you are an entrepreneur focused on a solution that impacts people with disabilities, don’t wait, Apply Now!

The post Launching the BarrierBreak Assistive Technology Startup Mentorship Program appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

According to me, happiness is something we experience when we spend time with our near and dear ones. For example, going to a picnic with office colleagues, meeting friends and family, travelling and experiencing different parts of India

But often the assumption is that people with disabilities can’t enjoy these things independently. I have a visual impairment. Till now, I have mainly travelled with my family.

Well, after joining BarrierBreak, as an Accessibility Tester, I finally realized that even I can enjoy these things and yes with colleagues who have become friends. I have felt a new sense of confidence that I can manage on my own, I can go out on my own.

Experience of Strength in Numbers

As one of my colleagues Kamran said, when we go out to a restaurant as a single visually impaired person, we are often dismissed by the management. But when we go out as a group, we can’t be ignored and above all since we all have varied levels of vision, we all have our strengths and overcome the obstacles with amazing hacks!

So, I would like to share some travel experience, that some of us colleagues enjoyed in the last one year. So you would be wondering, no major feat! But for all of us, it opened the world of travel. So here it is.

We are a group of colleagues and almost all of us are visually impaired.

For sure a question might come to your mind that “How can visually impaired plan a trip without any sighted person and enjoy themselves?”

Yes, it is possible and doable. What it needs is nothing but proper use of technology, intelligence and diligence.

Where did we travel to?

In last one year, we planned three such trips. Would you like to know the destinations? Here it goes:

• Assangoan: A farm house
• Goa: A state of beaches
• Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar: Place filled with natural beauty

How to Plan?

Within our group some of our colleagues have hand on experience on technology, few are good planners, some have great communication skills and others are great entertainers like, singing, playing instruments and many more.

We distribute the work between us and plan to make the trip successful. Which happens every time!

Did we do some activities?

Oh yes, we did. Our visual impairment didn’t stop of from having any of the fun! We didn’t even think about how can we do this, what will be the challenges, nothing!

Everyone has talent like singing, being humorous, writing/telling poetry, etc. But you would be shocked to know that:

• In Assangoan, we enjoyed ourselves with swimming, dancing, , playing games and spent memorable time together
• In Goa, we did Water sports, shopping and much more
• And the last, but not least is Panchgani, it was very exciting trip that we had. We did horse riding, boat ride, laughing competition, and many more. We even enjoyed an accessible museum for.

From this trip we strengthened our bond and have made friends for life.

From my own side, I can tell you, that with each trip, I became more confident, more adventurous and ready to try new things in life.

So to everyone out there with or without a disability, plan a trip not only with friends, family, but also with colleagues. Build Bonds, Overcome mindsets, Do things that you haven’t done before and experience life and happiness!

Need our assistance on technology? We are BarrierBreak 

The post Happiness – Travel with Colleagues & Experience the Strength in Numbers! appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

Thankfully assistive technology exists to help low vision users browse the web irrespective of the font size, color contrast etc. used on different web pages. Screen magnification software is available for different operating systems to help low vision users to enlarge the computer screen to access and explore any website on their own. Among different screen magnifiers that I have tried over the years, such as Magic, Windows in-built screen magnifier etc. I personally use “ZoomText”, a useful and easy to access screen magnifier cum screen reader software.

ZoomText is basically an integrated computer software program for visually impaired persons specially designed for low vision persons. It is developed by Ai Squared and available on Windows 7/8/10 versions as well as on MAC. It is available in two editions:

• ZoomText magnifier
• ZoomText magnifier/reader which includes a built-in screen reader.

For the purpose of this blog, I will be working with ZoomText 2018 version with Windows 10 operating system.

I prefer to use ZoomText features with the following settings:

• As I have 60% vision impairment, I prefer to access computer on 4x zoom level because I can read, scroll and navigate through the screen easily at this level.
• The toolbar has a checkbox below “zoom level” to switch between current zoom level and 1x view without closing any application which helps me to save time while browsing the web.

I like to use large yellow pointer scheme, green circle cursor scheme and thin red rectangle focus scheme which helps me know where my focus is and to avoid losing focus.

Now that we have explored various features of ZoomText, let’s move ahead and find out about different command keys available for ZoomText. ZoomText has different command keys which are easy to learn and are quite handy for browsing any webpage with a keyboard.

Hotkeys and their functions!

Let’s go through some basic ZoomText hotkeys:

Tip: Click on “ZoomText” application menu button and then select “command keys” to activate ZoomText command keys window!

ZoomText with its variety of features is helping visually impaired persons in performing various tasks on the web easily and comfortably with lesser strain on the eyes. It helps users to navigate interactive elements like links and buttons quickly on a webpage, fill an online form, to send email, to view text displayed using images clearly and many more.

Along with all good features stated above there are couple of limitations that I have come across, which are listed below.

• Sometimes user loses focus while navigating with a keyboard.
• I don’t find its panning to be smooth as compared to Windows in-built magnifier.

Even though ZoomText has several features and it helps low vision users browse the web easily, in few of the situations stated below, I find it difficult to browse the information on web:

• Tooltips or popovers displayed when users hover over an element with a mouse are difficult to read because they tend to disappear when users try to move their mouse pointer over them in order to read the information as the hover is removed.
• Dynamically updating content when a link or button is clicked.
• Content displayed using poor contrast between foreground text, icons, graphs or charts with their background.
• Small size font used to display text created as an image.

I have used ZoomText on both; Windows and MAC and I find ZoomText on MAC has a better visual experience as compared to Windows in terms of clarity and brightness!

After all it can be said that assistive technology software like ZoomText makes browsing websites more easy, comfortable and quick for low vision users. Having worked with different screen magnifiers, my personal pick is ZoomText on a MAC device that has a handy interface, clear visual effect and a variety of useful features! Do share your experience if you have used ZoomText.

The post How can low vision users browse the web using ZoomText? appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

Having worked with multiple screen readers over the years has always excited me as it gives me one more option to explore. Especially screen readers that are bundled with the operating system as we do not have to install additional software in order to use our computer.

In the past, have already tried my hands with VoiceOver on Mac, ChromeVox on Chrome Book, TalkBack on Android and VoiceOver on an iPhone, so decided to try my hands on Narrator for Windows.

Let’s start with the basics of Narrator.

Narrator Basics

Press Windows Logo key + Control + Enter to turn Narrator on and off!

As soon as we launch Narrator, the QuickStart guide begins. The purpose of QuickStart is to help users learn basics of Narrator quickly. This is certainly a good-to-have feature when you are learning Narrator but later on it is something that users will get annoyed with. Microsoft has done the right thing by providing users with an option to prevent it from starting automatically each time Narrator is launched.

Simply select the checkbox “Don’t show this guide again” to prevent the QuickStart guide from starting automatically. One can turn it back on by selecting the “Learn Narrator basics with QuickStart” link available in Narrator Settings.

Just like any other screen reader, Narrator also has a key assigned to it which is referred to as Narrator key”. In fact, Narrator has two keys!

By default, both Caps lock and Insert keys function as Narrator keys. We can change the Narrator key any time from the Narrator Settings.

We can also lock the Narrator key so we do not have to press it for every keyboard shortcut!

Press Caps lock + Z to lock the Narrator key.

Tip: Press Ctrl key to silence Narrator temporarily.

The following table lists few of the basic Narrator commands for accessing information:

Tip: Press Caps lock + F2 to show the commands for interacting with the current item!

Having learnt the basic commands of Narrator, let’s now move ahead and find out how to browse the web using Narrator.

Narrator works pretty well with Microsoft’s Edge browser. So let’s get started!

Reading web pages

By default, Narrator switches to Scan mode while reading web pages using Edge. One can toggle Scan mode On/Off by pressing Caps lock + Spacebar in any application.

Narrator remembers the previously used Scan mode setting for an application and switches to it when you launch the application again. For edit boxes on the web, Scan mode is turned off automatically to help users type the text with ease.

Another important option that Narrator offers to its users is to work with different views. There are 11 views that users can chose from:

• Items
• Characters
• Words
• Lines
• Paragraphs
• Headings
• Links
• Form fields
• Tables
• Landmarks
• Suggestions

To cycle through different Narrator views press Caps lock + Up Arrow or Caps lock + Down Arrow

Switching between different views is especially helpful if you are using Narrator on a touch screen device. Yes that’s right, Narrator also supports touch screen gestures!

Along with reading text, Narrator identifies different web page elements, such as headings, lists, links, images, tables, form fields, etc. to help users access and interpret the information with ease. The following table lists down the commands to access different web page elements.

Apart from the above one can press number keys 1 to 9 on the Numeric row to jump to the headings at different levels on a web page. Yes, that’s correct 1 to 9 headings! Narrator gives options to jump to headings at level 7, 8 and 9 which are not commonly used on the web.

Just like any other screen reader, Narrator also provides users with several commands for accessing tabular information. So let’s find out the commands for accessing tables using Narrator.

Reading tables with Narrator

Tip: Press Caps lock + Ctrl + F to find text on a web page!

All in all Narrator has matured in to a useful screen reader option for users with visual impairments and is certainly a useful option not only to browse the web but also test web pages for accessibility!

The post Browsing the web using Narrator appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

Alex has a love for numbers and finding answers through data. We were studying economics at the same university. One day, I noticed this guy talking away to his computer and not really using the keyboard. It got me intrigued. As we became friends, I got to know that Alex had very little mobility in his arms and he was using his speech to control the computer!

Alex uses Dragon Naturally Speaking and he makes it feel so simple and easy, that I just had to learn it.

So, let’s explore how Dragon Naturally Speaking works on the Web.

Dragon Works with multiple browsers, for the purpose of this blog we will be working with Internet Explorer.

Whenever we launch a browser for the first time after installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking, a prompt appears stating to install Dragon Web Extension. It will enable Commands that allow you to click Web page elements, such as buttons and links, navigate as well as access all the content and functionalities.

Let’s start with opening the browser, to open the browser give the command Open Internet Explorer. Now that we have opened the browser, let’s go ahead and open a website and say the following commands:

1. Go to the Address Bar.
2. Dictate the Web address. (For example, www.barrierbreak.com)
3. Go.

Now to navigate through the page, whether it is to a link, button or form controls, use the following commands

• Tab – To navigate from one element to another
• Click < link name > – To directly activate a link
• Page Up or Page Down – To go up and down a page

Tip:
If the computer is idle for some time, Dragon will go to sleep, give the command “Wake up” and Dragon will be ready to go!

So want to have some fun, find a few more Dragon Voice Commands in the table below:

Can we give mouse commands using Dragon? Yes, we can!

Let’s understand how Dragon uses a concept called the MouseGrid before we actually try it. The MouseGrid breaks up the screen into a transparent three-by-three grid over the screen with the sections numbered one through nine. Notice, that each grid has been assigned a number.

Now let’s try the Mouse Grid, using the following commands:

1. MouseGrid
2. < Number of Grid > – Say the number you want to focus on

You can repeat the process as many times as you need. When the grid area becomes too small to display numbers, you will be able to click the required link or button.

When the MouseGrid is enabled, we can use voice command “Click” to restrict the mouse movement and activate the element.

Using the MouseGrid, we can also access elements on a page that cannot be focused using the Tab command.

Navigating a web page using Mouse Grid is a tedious process but fun to perform!

Why don’t you give it a try and share your views on using speech recognition!

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BarrierBreak introduces “GlassOuse” to its Assistive Technologies product line specially designed for people with mobility and speech impairment.

An alternative to the computer mouse specially designed for people with no or limited hand movement, the GlassOuse is put on the head of the user and the cursor moves according to the head movements. The device is compatible with all Windows, Android, Linux, and Smart TV devices via Bluetooth.

The device is worn just like the way you wear glasses. It has a button attached to it. The mouse cursor on the screen moves as per your head movement and biting the attached (antibacterial) button performs clicks on the screen. Some of the features of the GlassOuse includes:

• 3 different sensitivity options to catch every movements
• Takes less than a second to type a character
• Private use mouthpiece is hygienic. Materials used are non-carcinogenic and have CE and RoHS certification
• Weighs only 50 grams. Designed to provide more efficiency and comfort
• 160 degrees vertical and 180 degrees horizontal angle precision. Involves 9 Axis gyroscope

One full set of GlassOuse include 1x GlassOuse, 2x Bite Click Silicone , 2x Ear Holder , 1x USB Charging Cable, 1x User Manual. Check out this video to know more about GlassOuse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYktXsdxf5M

For a FREE demo write to us at sales@barrierbreak.com or call us at +91-22-26860485/6/7.

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What is AAC?

‘Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language.’ – Wikepedia.

In simple terms AAC devices are communication tools that help people with speech impairment to communicate and express themselves as any other person.

Who needs an AAC device?

AAC devices are designed for people who find difficulty in communication or speech due to

• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Dysarthria
• Aphasia
• Intellectual Impairments
• Strokes
• Neurological Disorders
• Brain Injuries
• Neck and Throat Cancer

How does using AAC help?

Introducing various AAC devices can ensure participation of children and students at any age in a wide range of educational and social activities. Here are some success stories that would help you understand how AAC devices can enable a child with speech difficulties to communicate and express himself without any difficulty.

“Manisha has autism. When she was 4 years old she could not speak nor could she read any word. Introducing her to QuickTalker helped her make basic requests such as need for food, water, going to the washroom etc. QuickTalker has helped her form meaningful sentences and thus helped her improve her vocabulary and communication skills. Today, she uses QuickTalker as her main means for communication and is able to type and read stories and texts easily.”

QuickTalker series of communication devices are lightweight, rugged, go-anywhere communicators that is ideal for people who have limited or no speech to begin communicating in minutes. Available QuickTalker 7, QuickTalker 12 & QuickTalker 23.

Select a device to suit speech needs. These AAC devices are easy to use with just a switch of a button and ideal to be used in classrooms, activity centres for children with special needs. They help provide opportunities to communicate and thus feel included in learning and other daily activities. Get in touch with sales@barrierbreak.com to know more or for a FREE demo of AAC devices.

Additional Resources:

Tips to Help Your Child Use Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC)

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