Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

66ResultsImplicationsStatusThree important factors were crucial in the successful provision of solutions to theparticipants of the project:1. The key local persons’ role as liaison officers and providing local support to trialparticipants was fundamental to the overall success of the trial2. The one-day workshop and accompanying Accessible Telecommunications Tools andResources Kit developed during the project, equipped key local persons with the right‘accessible telecommunications’ knowledge and know-how. This provided an array ofsolutions, tools and processes to provide an accurate assessment, appropriately matchthe equipment to the user, set up the equipment, then train and troubleshoot problems forthe participants during the trials3. In addition to the use of the traditional telephone and email service, moderntelecommunications technology such as 3G mobile phones with video talk capability andinternet telephony software with video streaming capability were important for providingcommunication and ongoing support between the participants, key local persons andproject researchers.The research and technology trials demonstrated that through the use of appropriatetools, processes, education, training programs and resources, it would be feasible toimplement a service delivery model at a remote and national level to cater for the accessibletelecommunications needs of people with a disability or the ageing. The outcomes ofthis project show that through the use of modern telecommunications technologies andappropriately trained key local persons, we can use our knowledge to remotely assess andsupport the telecommunications needs of people with physical limitations interstate.CompletedProject titleContributorsSummaryLarge keypad for mobile phone accessRob Garrett, Ben Symonds, Toan NguyenNovitaTech’s Research and Development Department has an established track record in thearea of accessible telecommunications, including product development and the identificationof mainstream solutions that can be utilised by people with a disability. When presentingthis work and speaking with key user groups a common request has been for a simple largebutton mobile phone. Similarly, research shows that the ageing would prefer a mobile phonewith larger buttons and simpler functionality (Mann et al 2004). Telstra have developed alarge button landline telephone, however a suitable mobile version is not available on themainstream market.Mobile phones allow people to remain connected with friends and family and impart asense of security, confidence and independence when venturing out of home. Howeverthe concept of a simple large button mobile phone unfortunately seems to conflict with theproduct development direction of the mainstream market, which is heading towards smallerand smaller phones with increased features and complexity. Therefore this project aims toinvestigate the development of an accessible, simplified, large button mobile phone solutionthat will meet the needs of those with a disability and the ageing.