EBU European Year Web Project

Topics:

Chris Friend

Recently my employer provided me with a Nokia 3310 mobile phone for out of office use worldwide. Unfortunately Nokia provide the user manual in PDF format on their website.  However they have set the disability access to disabled and so my screen reader cannot access it.

Inspite of approaches  to their UK Marketing Department for a solution to this problem I have only been offered either large print, or braille or taped versions as alternative formats.

As I am totally blind the large print is of no use to e, and also I am not a fluent braille reader and would not manage a manual.  The taped version, even if it has queue and review markings would not allow me to navigate nearly so smoothly and effectively as the electronic version and so I feel
discriminated against.

It is obviously since Nokia have made the PDF user manual their primary source of user support that they recognise its search facility as an integral asset and so it is surely clear discrimination to deny access to it for blind and visually impaired users.

Although we hoped that they would be willing to enable the disability access feature for all to use when their error was pointed out to them, Nokia were even unwilling to  provide me with a one off accessible disc  or CD copy.

Has anyone reading this website any better experience with another mobile phone manufacturer   who provides an accessible electronic manual?  If so I would be willing to ditch Nokia for a more friendly provider.

Regards,
Chris

Christopher E B Friend MBE FInstF
Chairman
WBU Low Vision Working Group, &
Special Projects Consultant
Sight Savers International

'Saving sight - changing lives'

Grosvenor Hall
Haywards Heath
West Sussex  RH16 4BX

Tel:  +44 (0)1444 446663 (direct line)
                  446600 (switchboard)
                  446677 (fax)
   :  +44 (0)7919 552 170 (mobile)
E-mail: cfriend@sightsavers.org
Website: www.sightsavers.org
 

Reactions: