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 continue to support the visually impaired
Talk Direct continued to support the visually impaired by holding another technology day, where they go out into the community and show how digital products can help improve daily lives.
READ MOREMarketing ideas to help Talk Direct's project iCare
Talk Directs Mark Skelton has been working with Eya Hamed who is a student at Leeds Beckett university, on marketing ideas to help Talk Direct's project iCare.
READ MOREProject iCare - Stuart's story
Our O2 Guru at the Dewsbury store provides helping hand to partially-sighted customer Stuart.
READ MOREO2 Guru day at SRSB
Are you visually impaired? Would you like some help with your tech? SRSB is running an O2 Guru day on 6th June in Sheffield.
READ MORESamsung - Easy Mode Tutorial
Take a look at Talk Direct's Samsung Easy Mode tutorial.
READ MORENoLED - Recommended Android App
Alistair our O2 Guru at the Leeds Merrion store demonstrates the benefits of NoLED.
READ MOREAndroid - Text Fairy App Review
Josh our O2 Guru at the Sheffield Crstal Peaks store demonstrates how to use the Text Fairy app.
READ MOREKeyzag Keyboard - Recommended Android App
Our O2 Guru at the Bridlington store demonstrates how easy the Keyzag Keyboard app is to use.
READ MORETalk Direct stores raise money for the Guide Dogs
14 Talk Direct stores have been holding their own individual events and all of their hard work has really paid off and we managed to raise £1395 for such a wonderful cause.
READ MORESuccessful Technology Day with Talk Direct's iCare Team
Talk Direct's iCare team receive another glowing testimonial from a very satisfied customer.
READ MORETalk Direct Continued To Help The Visually Impaired
Talk direct continued its commitment to help the visually impaired by holding a Technology day in Doncaster
READ MORERAY - Recommended Android App
Brendan our O2 guru at the Dewsbury store demonstrates how easy the RAY app is to use.
READ MORE