Join the Conversation on “Dorrie’s Sight”
Lighthouse employee, Dorrie Rush, has a lot to say — and she does so on her blog, “Dorrie’s Sight”!
Dorrie promotes the seemingly simple philosophy that “vision-friendly” technology is not only helpful for people with vision loss, but also for everyone.“Vision friendly” means that the product, whether a cell phone, iPod, computer or ATM, is easy to use for someone who can’t rely on sight. And who, frankly, regardless of vision, wants to struggle to read or to check an account balance?
Accessibility Matters
Dorrie has a retinal disorder called Stargardt’s disease, which causes progressive loss of central vision. Similar to macular degeneration, which currently impacts 13 million Americans, Stargardt’s makes it difficult to read print, see faces and get around safely. Dorrie has adapted to these challenges by learning a variety of helpful techniques such as using her peripheral vision to see things that elude her central vision. Perhaps nothing gets her more excited, though, than products and technologies that magnify, talk, recognize speech and voice commands, digitize print and make the world of information — in fact, make the world — accessible.
In the technology age, we’ve moved from rudimentary, big and bulky cell phones, for example, to sleek, small “smart” phones loaded with so many applications like GPS, Internet access, MP3 players and e-mail in a relatively short time. No doubt, not so far in the future, we’ll be able to do our laundry with the touch of a button on our cell phones!
Of course, cell phones are just one of numerous product categories evolving, or emerging anew, each and every day. Most people have taken to these exciting technologies, incorporating them into daily life. For people with vision impairments, it hasn’t always been a smooth path. Dorrie, just like millions of others, wants to use the same iPhone and get cash at the same ATM as everyone else. Thanks to companies like Apple and Bank of America, just to name two, now she can.
These companies realize the need to build in features helpful for everyone, taking the lead in developing products and electronic services that are equipped with accessibility options. Apple has voice-over and zoom functions in the iPhone, iPod and the new iPad. And Bank of America has an audible option with earphones at its talking ATMs. They are including — rather than excluding — users. And in doing so, they are also engendering the hard-to-earn brand loyalty that comes along with this smart-for-all decision.
As the Lighthouse Marketing Director of Accessible Technology, Dorrie advocates for universal accessibility — for everyday things that are designed to be used easily and by everyone. She applauds and encourages mainstream companies developing these technologies, calling them “good for me, good for you, better for everyone.”
Dorrie’s optimism and enthusiasm are contagious, whether she’s talking about her finds with an audience of one or 100. She says, “The topic of easy-access technology transcends visual acuity — it really is relevant to all of us.”
Straight-Shooter
In her blog, Dorrie shares her experiences with different products and services, commending those who are on the path to making them easier to see and use, and encouraging others to develop products on her “wish list,” such as bar code readers in grocery, drug and department stores. She also wants to see computers with speech recognition and cell phones with audible menus. Dorrie would like to have them today. But soon enough, the enormous 45+ market will demand them, ensuring that accessibility features are built-in standards for first-generation products straight off the assembly line.
Self-described as an “average” user rather than an expert, Dorrie is just like millions of other baby boomers who want to enjoy the benefits of technology for personal and professional uses without angst; or want to fill out what she calls, “the dreaded form” at the doctor’s office without anxiety.
Dorrie is inviting others — users, product designers and manufacturers, “techies” and anyone interested in sharing their experiences — to participate in the larger dialogue about what works, what doesn’t … and what’s next on the market.
Read her blog, or listen to the audio version, leave a comment — and join the conversation today at www.dorriessight.blogspot.com
