Digital switchover must be in tune with needs of blind (Shetland Liberal Democrats)

Shetland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Digital switchover must be in tune with needs of blind

February 23, 2009 12:00 AM

Scottish Liberal Democrat Elspeth Attwooll MEP has expressed concern at new research showing nearly 70% of people with sight problems are unable to operate digital radios without voice output on their own.

Traditional analogue radios use turn-dial tuners, which blind and partially sighted people can operate by ear. The majority of digital radios coming onto the market use buttons and lcd displays, and don't incorporate voice output technology which would announce the button pressed or what is displayed on the screen.

The MEP for Scotland said:

"The radio plays an important role in the lives of blind and partially sighted people, but their particular needs seem to have been largely forgotten in the dash for digital.

This is not only deeply concerning but quite reckless given that the problem of tuning can be easy solved through use of voice output technology.

A Liberal Democrat colleague of mine in the European Parliament is looking into the matter, to find out what can be done under EU rules to make manufacturers meet minimum standards."

ENDS

Notes:

• The RNIB commissioned research shows that 90% of blind people needed help using DABs radios for the first time and that 70% needed ongoing assistance.

• For more see http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicWebsite/public_digitalradio.hcsp#P12_889

• Liz Lynne MEP is vice-president of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, and currently the draftsperson for a report on anti- discrimination in access to goods and services on the ground of disability, age, religion or belief or sexual orientation. Race and gender are already covered by similar legislation.