As part of our recent series on assistive technology, the Insequa team were interested to learn about the upcoming Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on 16th May 2024 and it got us thinking about the importance of accessibility in using assistive technology to improve care services.
“The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments”. – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Assistive technology has the capacity to drive greater efficiencies in care whilst promoting greater choice and control for clients, enabling them to live more independently at home for longer.
Helping to make technology more accessible.
So how we can promote equality and help clients to access technology?
People who receive care services may struggle to access technology for different reasons:
- They may not know how to use it.
- They may have visual, hearing, mobility or cognitive needs.
- They may not be digitally connected.
As care providers, how can you help your clients on this journey and support them to overcome any barriers they face? Providing valuable support can help people access technology that can improve their quality of life, for example you could:
- Provide help to use technology during visits.
- Support clients to learn how to use assistive technology and online services, through partnerships with local volunteers or services.
- Set accessibility options, such as readers, captions, changing language settings or changing accessibility settings on individuals’ devices, to ensure they are accessible.
- Help people to access certain types of assistive technology that helps them access a wider range of technology, for example, adaptive hardware or eye-control devices.
- Link with partner organisations that can help people to get digitally connected.
The benefits of accessible technology for your clients
Helping your clients to become digitally connected and take full advantage of the benefits of technology can make a significant difference to people’s lives, and open up a range of new options, such as:
- Developing social connections and keeping in touch with family and friends online.
- Using online services, such as home delivery, virtual books/audio books, streaming films or learn a new skill or hobby.
- Participating in online groups and communities.
- Using technology to control their heating, lighting and even control access to their front door.
- Staying safe with video doorbells, motion and falls sensors.
- Using technology assisted care to live more independently.
- Use alternative means of technology control, such as voice activated commands.
Making your own online resources accessible
What better way to lead by example than to review your own digital resources? Many care businesses now have their own websites and electronic management systems that can offer clients access to their records.
Making sure your clients can access information about the services they receive, in a format which is accessible is vital. Many care services already translate information into other languages, provide easy-read or large print formats or use alternative communications methods such as sign language or Braille.
It is also important and worthwhile to consider how accessible your online resources are to people who may face barriers to using them. By building in screen readers, alt-text images, captions and creating information in different formats, your website can serve as an important tool in providing information and online services.
GAAD have provided a useful resources section on their website which offers tools and learning opportunities to improve accessibility. Not only that, but they invite you to get involved by attending events and to participate in activities, initiatives or projects, helping you to become accessibility champions.
At Insequa we understand how important it is to make your services accessible to everyone. Tenders often ask for evidence that services can offer accessible formats and as the digital world expands, it is important to make sure that accessibility is embedded in your online resources too.
If you need support in writing your tender, Insequa can help. Our social care leads and bid managers are experts in identifying your care business’ strengths and helping you to find innovative ways to enhance your business offer. Speak to a friendly member of our team today to find out how we can help you.
