Jun 19 2007
Can’t use keyboards and mice that are not supplied by us.
A Case Study of the Accessiblity Champion
I was asked to signpost some solutions to aleviate problems of pain for someone while using a standard keyboard and mouse. What was highlighted was issues of contracting your IT company to support Assistive Technology you supply or the member of staff brings with them.
What was the problem?
The person was having pain in the arm and shoulders and wanted to explore different supports, keyboards and mice at the Access Learning Centre. She had been referred to us by a in a South London Local Authority officer.
- What was done?
I spend 2 hours with her trying out a range of options and combinations of arm supports, mice and keyboards. I suggested, if these were options that seemed comfortable to use, she could loan some items and try out. She loaned the 2 types of keyboards and 2 mice for 5 weeks. I also suggested she got some more medical advice.
- What was the solution recommended?
After the loan period she chose to use an IBM keyboard with an ergonomic mouse.
What difference did this make to the individual and the organisation?
She was very pleased with the solution. She purchased the same equipment as she loaned at her own expense to use at work. She didn’t want to cause ‘problems’ by asking her employer to purchase the equipment.
Two months later we were donated the equipment by her for our loan scheme. The IT support company refused to support the equipment as they didn’t supply it and it needed an adapter to convert a PS/2 connection to a USB port.
Comment
This highlights another issue of Computer Accessibility and IT support contracts including clauses for assistive equipment being supported and covered by IT departments whether supplied by them or not.
Anyone else experienced this issue?
One response so far
Time to consider a change in IT support company I think!
I can hardly believe this as still be the case in this day and age. It’s far too restrictive, particularly for VCOs, and there’s no technical reason for it whatsoever. Keyboard and mouse make no difference at all to the support requirements of a computer. Thus, I can only conclude it’s a matter of the support company being short-sighted and money obsessed. I fear if this is their attitude to such a minor issue then they will be a horror to deal with for anything else.
I suggest it highlights the need to have a proper well thought out contract and SLA (service level agreement) with your IT support company from the get-go. This is where VCOs should seek to get advice from the ICT Hub in establishing such agreements, both for new contracts and retrospectively.