RNIB and Ability Net kindly invited us to their recent Volunteer Day in London, to learn about the latest in tech to help visually impaired and blind people.

Here’s a brief review of the exciting things we saw on the day:

• Ability Net- 

AbilityNet helps people of any age and with any disability to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education. We do this by providing specialist advice services, free information resources and by helping to build a more accessible digital world.

Accessibility Services

• AbilityNet has a team of accessibility consultants and testers who work with digital teams in blue-chip companies such as Barclays, Lloyds Bank The FA and Microsoft to design and maintain accessible websites, apps and other digital services.
• Find out more about our Accessibility Services

DSA/Students Services

• Our expert Assessors provide one-to-one advice and information to identify technology and other adjustments that will help them succeed in their education.
• Find out more about our DSA/Students Services

Expert Resources

• factsheets, blogs, webinars and videos about the many ways that technology can help people with disabilities.
• My Computer My Way is a unique guide to the many adjustments that make your computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone easier to use.
• Find out more about our expert resources

IT Support for Disabled and Older People At Home

• A range of free services for disabled people, their family and friends, their employers and other people who care for them.
• free Helpline on 0800 269 545 to ask anything about how computers can be adapted to meet the needs of disabled people.
• Network of IT Can Help volunteers visit disabled people in their home to help with everyday IT needs.

Workplace Services

• Technology can help people with all types of disability and impairment, but everyone has different needs.
• Professional assessors carefully identify the mix of technologies and adaptations that enables a disabled person to be more productive at work.
• Read more about our Workplace Services

RNIB technology volunteer service 

Living with sight loss can be challenging. But RNIB believe everyone affected by sight loss can face the future with confidence.. RNIB Volunteers support people with sight loss to use technology. They help with a huge range of devices – from tablets to talking book players.

All across the country, these volunteers:

• help people set up new devices or troubleshoot tech issues remotely
• support learning sessions at our IT hubs
• share tech skills at digital learning workshops in the community
• provide one-to-one tech support to local people in their own homes
• organise events and teams of tech volunteers

If you would like help or to be involved as a volunteer contact https://www.rnib.org.uk/practical-help/technology-hub