I like to be independent. I like to do things myself
rather than
getting someone to do things for me.
My name is Atiqa and I am 25 years old. I lost my sight
when I
was 14 years old. When I lost my sight I thought I would
never
be able to do things myself. But once I settled down a
little,
and learned about the technologies and computers, I
became more
confident.
I have a talking scale and talking measuring jug, "don't
forget
Mom's birthday present", a note taker and money
detector. I
connect to many things on my smartphone. It tells you
whatever
is on screen. It reads everything to me.
As a blind or partially sighted, person you want to do
everything
that everyone else wants to do. We wanted to create a
proposition to put accessibility on companies'' agendas
which we
eventually called RNIB Approved.
What started out as a desire to meet a fundamental
customer need,
has actually become a real passion for everyone
involved. For
someone coming to our website, even with sight loss or
hearing
loss or some other physical disability that makes it
hard to use
websites, the experience should be seamless and easy to
use.
Every time we create a new functionality or a new page,
we're
listening through the page, to make sure that what you
can see
is getting conveyed through the screen reader. Making
sure that
all the copy on a page is picked up. That the colour
contrast
contrast levels on the page meet the minimum
requirements.
What's been really good about the RNIB accreditation is
that
we're working with people who are blind or partially
sighted to
actually verify that the changes we make, work for real
people.
It's a great honor.
Companies like Capital One that are trying to make it
easier for
everyone to access their site is incredible.
It's hugely important because it begins to tell a story
around
how the world can be a more accessible place.