A new window on the world

Screenreader.net founders Roger and Margaret Wilson-Hinds firmly believe that web learning should be free to everyone with little or no sight.

Opening up access to online services

With the support of Nominet Trust, this husband and wife team, have developed a series of free web guides to help visually impaired computer users access the online services that sighted people take for granted. 

Roger is excited by the results of the My Web Guides project so far:

"Hundreds of visually impaired people have either been able to navigate the web for the first time or – for those with some initial skills – been able to enjoy a more in-depth experience."

To date, the project has:

• Helped over 200 people by offering support over the phone, by email or a mixture of both.
• Distributed 200 pen drives, with the web guides loaded onto them, to blind computer users.
• Distributed 100 Braille and large print versions of the web guides to blind and partially sighted users.
• Organised one-to-one-training in navigating the web guides at learning days attended by over 300 people.

A dedicated website – www.mywebguides.org.uk provides a directory of navigational guides that enable a blind computer user with screenreading software to be guided through a growing number of web guides including links to other support materials and help.

The tools developed by Screenreader.net are enabling people to become more culturally integrated, as well as better able to communicate and to access learning and other resources that are available online.