Project iCare
My name is Mark Skelton and I am the ambassador for Talk Directs project iCare which was founded in April 2014. The aim of the project is to help the visually impaired community improve their daily lives with the help of digital technology, i.e. smartphone or tablet devices. I am very passionate about my role as I am registered blind myself and know only to well what a difference digital technology can make. If I didn't use a smart phone or tablet myself I would struggle to read a simple message or even write a short note. We have worked hard to make sure we can hopefully find a solution to help anyone with any level of visual impairment and have had some great success stories along the way.
In our stores we have an O2 Guru who has the technical knowledge on how to get the best out of a device so that people suffering from low vision can still communicate with family and friends. Simple options such as voice over functions and magnification settings can make a world of difference. They will also happily show people how to use apps that can increase the benefits of a device. For example, I use an app where I can download a talking book which is narrated by the author. On a standard phone I would not be able to do any of the above so making a simple phone call would be a huge struggle.
Since we started the project it has really helped people stay in contact and some of our clients have had secondary disabilities but we have always managed to find a solution for their needs. During the early period we have built up a great working relationship with Royal Society for the Blind, Yorkshire Guide Dogs and Action for the Blind. Our work with Action for the Blind saw Talk Direct be the first Yorkshire company ever win the 'see the capability not the disability award'. We currently visit all local visually impaired charities and support groups to show their service users just what we and technology can do to help them. These visits have proved tremendously popular and if you feel you may benefit from this service please get in touch.
Our main aim for the future is to continue working with these great companies and to provide support in our stores so the visually impaired can embrace technology so that it can help people in day to day life.
Talk Direct's fantastic achievement
Talk Direct were nominated for a prestigious award by the British Franchise Association in conjunction with the HSBC for its Project iCare.
READ MORETalk Direct takes Project iCare to Doncaster
Talk Direct were asked to take its Project iCare to Doncaster to help the partially sighted society hold an open day for the visually impaired community.
READ MORETalk Direct celebrate fund raising campaign
Talk Direct held a presentation in their Keighley O2 store to celebrate our recent Guide Dogs fund raising campaign
READ MOREO2 guru tech day at the Sheffield Royal society for the blind
Talk Direct recently held an O2 guru tech day at the Sheffield Royal society for the blind
READ MORERecommended App - Colour Blind Tube Map
Callum our O2 Guru at the Bridlington store demonstrates how to use the Colour blind tube map.
READ MORETalk Direct continue its work in the community
On the 30th of August Talk Direct continued its work in the community by again visiting the Sheffield Royal Society for The Blind.
READ MOREHow to use Windows accessibility functions
Liam our O2 Guru at the Headingley store demonstrates the Windows accessibility functions
READ MOREHow to use Twitter with accessibility
Marcus our O2 Guru at the Scarborough store demonstrates how to use How to use Twitter with accessibility
READ MOREApple app - Magnifying glass with light
Marcus our O2 Guru at the Scarborough store demonstrates how to use the Magnifying Glass With Light app.
READ MOREAn unmissable event for the blind and partially sighted
The UK's leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people.
READ MOREApple app - Scanner and translator
Josh our O2 Guru at the Sheffield Crystal Peaks store demonstrates how to use the Scanner and translator app.
READ MOREO2’s Store of the future
Talk Direct's Mark Skelton was recently invited along to the O2 store in Manchester to speak with the team there about the work we have been doing with our project iCare.
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