Thursday, September 26, 2002
Disabled let down by mobile firms
Posted by Ed Hansberry in "ARTICLE" @ 05:30 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2278295.stm
Technology can be a wonderful thing for everyone, but it can be a great equalizer for the disabled. In many cases, the disabled can perform equal to their non-disabled friends because of technological enhancements not available 100, 50 or even 20 years ago.
But in order to work, there have to be some social changes. The US has some of the strongest legislation in the world to enable disabled people fair access to the same facilities everyone else has. Larger companies have people that do nothing but cater to the unique needs of the disabled. It seems it is a bit different in Europe as Colin Hughes found out. Mr. Hughes suffers from muscular dystrophy and is unable to hold a phone to his ear.
Enter mobile technology. A bluetooth headset coupled with a SonyEricsson T68 should answer all his problems, right? Well, sort of. The technology was capable, but SonyEricsson UK was unwilling to help with the necessary software updates to allow complete hands free operation, eliminating the need to reach up to the headset and press the "answer" button, something that was very difficult for Mr. Hughes to do. He called SonyEricsson US and got everything he needed, free of charge.
I would be interested in hearing how mobile technology (PDA related or not) has helped you or someone you know that is disabled. I'd also like to know whether or not you had to contact customer service with special requests to facilitate your needs and were they willing to help out. Thanks to ejph for the link.
Technology can be a wonderful thing for everyone, but it can be a great equalizer for the disabled. In many cases, the disabled can perform equal to their non-disabled friends because of technological enhancements not available 100, 50 or even 20 years ago.
But in order to work, there have to be some social changes. The US has some of the strongest legislation in the world to enable disabled people fair access to the same facilities everyone else has. Larger companies have people that do nothing but cater to the unique needs of the disabled. It seems it is a bit different in Europe as Colin Hughes found out. Mr. Hughes suffers from muscular dystrophy and is unable to hold a phone to his ear.
Enter mobile technology. A bluetooth headset coupled with a SonyEricsson T68 should answer all his problems, right? Well, sort of. The technology was capable, but SonyEricsson UK was unwilling to help with the necessary software updates to allow complete hands free operation, eliminating the need to reach up to the headset and press the "answer" button, something that was very difficult for Mr. Hughes to do. He called SonyEricsson US and got everything he needed, free of charge.
I would be interested in hearing how mobile technology (PDA related or not) has helped you or someone you know that is disabled. I'd also like to know whether or not you had to contact customer service with special requests to facilitate your needs and were they willing to help out. Thanks to ejph for the link.
