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In Touch: Software & Technology Within the Workplace

22/02/2022

Software & Technology Within the Workplace

BBC Radio 4 - In Touch, Software & Technology Within the Workplace

An in-depth discussion about access to work-based software and technology.

The rapid evolution of technology has left access to work-based software wanting. We discuss the problems and possible solutions.

Technological change within the workplace is often rapid with frequent system updates. More companies are adopting software that operates via a web page browser - or what is known as the cloud. Listener Matt Johnson, a data protection and privacy lawyer, contacted In Touch to say he feels the move to cloud-based software in the workplace is causing serious access problems for people who are blind or partially sighted. He puts his concerns to Microsoft's director of Accessibility Evangelism Hector Minto, asking what the company is doing to help. Peter also talks to Kelvin Duncan, Technical Consultant at accessibility consultancy firm Blazie, and to The RNIB's Robin Spinks about whether the UK's leading visual impairment charity should be lobbying harder for law changes to improve access to technology.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole

Website image description: pictured is a man in a grey shirt and glasses working at his computer desk. His back is toward the camera. Surrounding him are three computer screens, keyboards and office desk items (pens, bits of paper etc). In the background are a series of large windows that reach from floor to ceiling. In one of them, there is a reflection of another man working in another part of the office.

Below are some helpful accessibility resources from Microsoft:
Accessibility insights. These help developers create accessible products: https://accessibilityinsights.io/ 
Accessibility fundamentals. Where they offer training and support on accessibility within Microsoft tools: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/accessibility-fundamentals/

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