About RNIB Innovation Team
RNIB Innovation Team's main aim is to create an inclusive society for all. We do this by working on existing technology and developing new technology to find solutions to problems faced by blind and partially sighted people.
We work on a wide range of solutions from helping people to travel or watch television, to improving website design and mobile phone software. This process involves working together with both large and small scale technology companies.
Some of the products we are working on at the moment are digital TV, consumer packaging and an eBook player.
A key element of our work is to define user needs for products and systems and carry out user testing, to make sure that the end result will fulfil the requirements of the people using it.
Our main focus for 2012
Whilst innovative and emerging technologies are our focus, we have projects in a number of industry areas. During 2012, these include:
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Wayfinding - getting you from the sofa to the shops
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Payment systems - kiosks, NFC, contactless, mobile
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Reading - electronic books, audio systems
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Digital TV and Radio
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Banking and Spending - online services and secure payments
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And lots, lots more!
Developing accessible mobile apps
First published in "Don't Panic Mobile Developer's Guide to the Galaxy" 10th edition. Enough Software February 2012 www.enough.de
Regardless of the technology you choose to develop your apps, you'll want to ensure that your app can be used by as many people in as many different markets as possible.
Many of your potential users could have a disability which makes it more difficult for them to use mobile technology. These disabilities include, but are not limited to, various levels of sight or hearing impairment, Cognitive disabilities, dexterity issues, technophobia and such like.
For more information read our document Developing Accessible Apps (Word 40KB).
Recent successes
Our Innovation Team managed the development of the Goodmans SmartTalk Set Top Box that has recently received a number of nominations for awards. The Innovation Team were involved in assessing user needs, testing products against those needs and co-ordinating RNIB teams to work with Goodmans in production, distribution and promotion of the boxes. This world first in talking technology is certainly a success as it means that blind and partially sighted people can now watch freeview and use the electronic programme guide (EPG)!
About user trials
The user trials that we undertake vary according to the product that has been designed and the stage in the design process that we are testing it.
We require a wide range of people to take part in our different user trials, concentrating on blind and partially sighted people but also including sighted people and people with other disabilities. This enables us to ensure that our products are suitable for all and prevents us from adversely creating a problem for others.
The user trials come in various forms from focus groups and interviews to phone or postal questionnaires, and are held at a variety of venues. For example, in 2008 we ran a user trial on tactile surfaces. We invited participants to come to the RNIB Peterborough office to test different surfaces that could be used to mark pavement and train platform edges. We wanted to assess how easy these were to identify for blind and partially sighted people but also ensure that the surfaces chosen would not hinder those with other disabilities.
How can I get involved?
If you are interested in helping us make things better for blind and partially sighted people, we would love to hear from you. We will add your details to our database and when a user trial is taking place, we will contact you see if you would like to take part in the trial.
To sign up for future user trials, please contact us by calling us on 01733 375290 or by sending an email to innovation@rnib.org.uk