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My Apple Watch after 5 days!

May 3, 2015/0 Comments/in Diversity and inclusion /by Tina Lannin

Author: Molly Watt (Original post)

Having known about the Apple Watch for some time and knowing lots of my friends were planning to buy one, I was sceptical as my needs are quite different to that of those of the sighted and hearing.

I have to rely on specific accessible features.

However, I was curious as Apple products have been more than just up market gadgets to me, they really have been my access to the many things most take for granted but that those of us with deafblindness, particularly struggle with.
I was born deaf and registered blind when I was 14. The condition I have is Usher Syndrome Type 2a. I am severely deaf and have only a very small tunnel of vision in my right eye now so I was concerned not just about the face size but how busy it would appear to me and also if there would be an uncomfortable glare.

Curiosity got the better of me so I ordered one but I wasn’t excited, so not disappointed when informed I would not receive mine until mid June!

I should explain that I wear two digital hearing aids and communicate orally – not everybody with usher syndrome communicates orally and there are not two people with the condition the same, but there are similarities.

I had been wearing a Bradley Timepiece since last summer and love both the retro look and the practicality of a completely tactile watch brilliant and stylish, quite a rarity when it comes to anything designed specifically for people with disabilities.

I can read the time by touch completely independently with my Bradley and I still love it.

I decided to order the Apple Watch Sport 42mm (the bigger face size) with white strap so I’d not lose it quite so easily.
The white strap, silver casing and black face would be a workable contrast for me.

I was surprised to receive an email the day before launch date to say my Apple Watch had been dispatched and you guessed it “I was excited!”

I was delighted when the long white box arrived on Friday morning as I was heading into London that afternoon.
My first impression on opening the box was it was nice to hold, smooth rounded edges and the face size felt right on my wrist.

The watch strap on the “Sport” felt nice and was easy to fasten by touch alone.

The Apple Watch App had appeared automatically on the iPhone some time ago and it certainly made the set up “pairing” of the Watch simple, literally took a photo of the Watch face on my iPhone and that was that.

I am already very familiar with the iPhone settings so fiddling around with the Apple Watch App was easy. I was able to adjust, fiddle and play with a few settings.

It was great the Apple Watch App to exactly what I need “Accessibility Features”

Black background with white writing, I personally prefer this as white background gives off a glare that is even more blinding to me and actually hurts my eyes.

Whilst this works for me, I do prefer the colours and contrasts on my own website as they are less harsh on the eye.
The default settings I have on my iPhone are set to large text and I was pleased to be able to have this on my Apple Watch. I also use Zoom large text set to the largest.

The new setting “Prominent Haptic” is perhaps my favourite in accessibility.

On putting the Apple Watch on my wrist although on my small wrist it appeared large, it felt light and comfortable.
After a little playing I discovered by holding down the face of the watch you can vary how the time is displayed, a standard clock face but typically Apple quirky or large numbers and digital.

For me personally the ‘home screen’, even with the bigger of the two watch face sizes is small to see and sometimes a little tricky to select certain apps. However, through the Apple Watch App on the iPhone most things can be set up.
It is possible to change your ‘Glances’ (shortcuts) by swiping upwards.

I chose the weather, my calendar, my activity board, my music and my location.

I have found this facility very useful and has made accessing the watch very quick and easy.

On the same day I got my watch Mum received hers too. This benefitted the trial use of communication between us. Just by selecting the button underneath the digital crown, you reach your favourite contacts.

To contact any of my favourites, which are already selected on my iPhone, is incredibly easy. Either speak into the Apple Watch or just sending an ‘emoji’ is also very easy. The speech to text is very impressive.

I personally would not chose to read long emails or text messages on my watch, so although I want to be alerted via the Prominent Haptic setting I can choose when and how to access them that suits me best.

Before getting my Apple Watch I would have my phone either in my hand or a pocket nearest to my hand I would rarely feel the vibration from my iPhone and often missed messages. With the Apple Watch on my wrist, I am being notified via Prominent Haptics without issue and I really like that.

Another important safety point is the Apple Watch is very secure on my wrist so far less likely than an iPhone to be swiped from me.

I am fortunate to have a few friends who also have the Apple Watch and together have devised ways of communicating in ‘Code’ when out, particularly when out at night and in dark situations when I am completely blind.

Useful codes in the event I need help of any kind, for instance if I am in a badly lit and noisy environment and struggling to be included in something I can get message to friend I’m uncomfortable or I need assistance or help of some kind or “I’m bored” can we do something else!

For instance I can communicate using my Apple Watch screen using a small sketch, a “tap” or even send my heartbeat, each can be sent to another person with an Apple Watch and appears as a distraction, a vibration on the wrist and immediately I look to the watch.

Mum has certainly found benefit in the ‘tap’ for getting my attention when I am in my bedroom without my hearing aids on, I feel the nudge to get a move on or she wants my attention for something.

There is a vibration when a text message is received too – Prominent Haptics is definitely awesome for me as a deafblind person.

So far for me the most useful App on the Apple Watch is Maps – on my iPhone I can plan my journey from one destination to another, for me it will be on foot with Unis my guidedog.

This is where Haptics really come into its own – I can be directed without hearing or sight, but by a series of taps via the watch onto my wrist – 12 taps means turn right at the junction or 3 pairs of 2 taps means turn left, I’m still experimenting with this but so far very impressed – usher syndrome accessible!

I have not reached the stage yet where I am fully reliant on Voice Over, though I have tried it. It is fairly good for navigating the watch. If at home, the Voice over is great, though if like me you are dual sensory impaired, it would be a real struggle to hear outside or in public. Though I have been told with Bluetooth hearing aids, there could be a solution.

These are my early findings and I’m now sure there will be much more for those like me who need to rely on technology.

The positives far outweigh the negatives for me personally. The audio could be louder and the price more accessible for those with sensory impairment and reliant on the sort of accessibility features Apple offer.

I am now very happy to own an Apple Watch and look forward to making it work well for me.

I will blog again in a few weeks when I’ve had time to use it more but so far very happy with it.

Reproduced with kind permission of the author

I am so impressed with my Bradley

October 11, 2014/0 Comments/in Diversity and inclusion /by Tina Lannin

We’ve received some great feedback from customers who bought The Bradley tactile timepiece, but we were particularly struck by an email we received from Molly Watt, a deafblind student who suffers from a rare genetic disorder (+ interview).

Molly’s family gave her The Bradley in the hope that it would help make her days a little easier, as it allows users tell the time with touch rather than sight.

After being diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, she set up the Molly Watt Trust to help others suffering from the same condition and has since given talks at Harvard Medical School and the UK Parliament. Usher Syndrome causes gradually worsening hearing loss and visual impairment, and is currently incurable.

“I had heard about The Bradley before and thought it would be good for me, but after actually getting one I was elated as it was more than I had imagined,” said Watt. ”My Bradley watch has a mustard yellow strap and a very stylish retro looking face, and my first impression was that it was classy and light.”

Being deafblind didn’t prevent Watt from excelling in art and graphics at A level, and she recently won a place to study at University of Roehampton, London, later this year.

“For those who do use these watches, a talking watch in a meeting lecture hall or anywhere in public is not ideal, so The Bradley is perfect,” added Watt, who is 20 and lives in Berkshire, England. ”I am so impressed with my Bradley that I am hoping my charity will consider funding these timepieces for other people with Usher Syndrome.”

Read on for the full interview we conducted with Watt:

Can you tell us more about you and Usher Syndrome?

My name is Molly, I am 20 years old and have Usher Syndrome, which has left me deafblind. What I see is like looking through a straw with my right eye and, in good light, however, my left eye is now just a blur.

How did you come to own The Bradley?

This summer I took my A levels and was delighted with my results. I got As in art and design and a C in English Literature. My parents rewarded me with several gifts for my hard work, among which was The Bradley timepiece.

Was this the first time you came across The Bradley?

I had heard about The Bradley before and thought it would be good for me, but after actually getting one I was elated as it was more than I had imagined. The box it comes in is tactile and has Braille on it. Whilst I’m not a braille reader, it is great that it has been made that way. There were also Braille instructions inside the box, which was impressive.

Can you tell us what you like about it most and what others have said about it?

My Bradley watch has a mustard yellow strap and a very stylish retro looking face – my first impression was that it was classy and light. It was a little stiff, but after a couple of weeks of wearing it, the strap has softened and is much more comfortable.

I cannot tell you how many people have commented on my Bradley. That includes most of my friends and family who would like one because it looks so good and quirky. It really is a looker and also a conversation opener, which will be great for me as I head off to university later this month.

Could you tell us about the design of The Bradley and your thoughts on its functionality?

The face of the Bradley is very tactile with its marking that represent numbers on the clock. A triangle shape marking 12 o’clock at the top and the other numbers marked by dashes makes it easy to feel your way around it. The Bradley doesn’t have hands, it has two small balls that show the time instead.

A ball rotates around the side of the watch and indicates the hour, while the minute ball rotates around the face to indicate minutes. I did have to ask for help in setting the time at first, but I knew how to tell the time immediately.

How practical has it been for everyday use?

I am the first to admit, as a result of my condition, that I am a little clumsy and prone to tripping, falling and bumping into things.

While The Bradley is light, so far it has been “Molly-proof”. After heavy knocks it can be reset with a shake of the arm, leaving it unmarked and working perfectly. I love it.

Have you used any other products that allow you to tell the time without full vision? If so, how did they compare?

Previous watches for the blind that I have tried have been digital, with large LCD numbers and the ability to verbally announce the time, but this couldn’t work for me. Anything that is bright and full of glare is unacceptable for my blindness and, being deaf, a talking watch has little use. For those who do use these devices, a talking watch in a meeting lecture hall or anywhere in public is not ideal, so The Bradley is perfect.

I am so impressed with my Bradley that I am hoping my charity will consider funding these timepieces for other people with Usher Syndrome.

Click here to see more of The Bradley on Dezeen Watch Store »

Article source

The Molly Watt Trust will be looking to fund or part fund these to people living with usher syndrome, demand is high so they will be looking for more fundraising ideas.
Can you help them to fund these incredible tactile watches to those who cannot access the time like we do, another of the many things we take for granted.
If so please contact MWT contact@mollywatt.com

Molly Watt Trust | Facebook | Website | Twitter

Usher Syndrome presentation at the House of Commons

July 23, 2014/0 Comments/in Diversity and inclusion /by Tina Lannin

I was invited to speak at The House of Commons as a result of my previous work raising awareness of Usher Syndrome the condition that first took away my hearing followed by my sight.
I should say that whilst I am not a big fan of Usher Syndrome I have learnt it’s best to work with it rather than fight it or hide away from it.
Once I took charge I am in charge of what I can and cannot do.
Usher is just a part of me and does not define the person I have become, first and foremost I am Molly.
That said I am the first to stand up not just for myself but for others with the condition, something I am always proud to do.

I was surprised but incredibly proud to be asked to speak about the challenges of life with living with Usher Syndrome by ParliAble in the House of Commons.
I had never taken an active interest in the goings on in Parliament but like everything was happy to learn.

On arriving at the Palace of Westminster I realised what an honour it was to be allowed to park in the grounds, we were, naturally searched as was the car before we could obtain our visitor passes.
I found this part quite stressful as the hustle and bustle of policemen and women, security guards and visitors was quite intense, thankfully Uni was as calm but alert as always and on receiving our passes and along with our guide helped me safely find the way to the room in which I was to present.
I was delighted to get to the room well ahead of time, I was able to scan the room, to admire the decor and to get my bearings.

It was in the main green with leather bound seats and dark wooden panelling, patterned carpets which I couldn’t look at as they made me feel quite dizzy another of the delights of Usher Syndrome.
From the ornate windows I could see the River Thames, my parents pointed out the boats and whilst it was a beautiful bright summers day, a brief scan around was all my damaged eyes could take before I had to look away and replace my dark glasses to protect my eyes from any further torment and strain and to avoid the dreaded headaches they so often cause me.

I was excited to speak in such an affluent place, I was just amazed people here would be interested in hearing what I had to say, but they were!

It turned out the room we were in was not the room in which I’d speak in, it was the one a couple of doors up but identical.

The lightening was ok for me, not too bright and not too dark and although an old building it had warm furnishings so acoustically worked for me with my hearing aids in.

My presentation was about the daily challenges and struggles of people like myself, the lack of understanding of people with sensory impairment and the desire to succeed and to be valued members of society.

I spoke for about fifteen minutes and while I spoke I could not see the people I was speaking to as my level of sight loss is to the degree that on a good day I tend to just see a part of a persons face, perhaps an eye and nose but usually I’d set my sight on a nose and mouth to try to lipread whilst using my residual hearing to assist me to access the hearing world.
My world might be tiny to see but my determination spans the world.

I was pleasantly surprised to get a round of applause and lots of questions. The questions were relayed to me so I could answer, without assistance I cannot respond to people unless they are very close to me.
I always believe the more questions the more I am raising awareness.

There are at this time no deafblind people working in Parliament but several deaf and several blind. There is, however, no reason a deafblind person couldn’t work there, this was confirmed to me during “My Question Time”.

I was asked if I was offered a job could I get to and from work, of course I would engage Guidedogs for the Blind to run the route with Unis several times, right up to the room I would work in and I could them completely rely on her to get me to and from work very safely.
My biggest pet hate is the assumption that deafblind always means no hearing, no sight and no speech when with the amazing technology available lots of us can access all sorts of information and our communication can differ but with the right support we can all be successful, support really is key.

We discussed accessibility, modification, technology and mobility in detail along with “reasonable adjustments” all well received and I’m told lots of notes were taken which is very pleasing.

Presenting in The House of Commons was one of my proudest moments and knowing I’m the youngest ever makes me feel very special and privileged and I have been asked if I would return which is a big fat yes.

I have since been back for a tactile tour of Parliament which I would absolutely recommend and will remain in touch with the team at ParliAble in the hope we can continue to raise awareness of Usher Syndrome and perhaps in time get somebody with Usher into work there because “Why not?”

I’d like to thank all those involved in my being invited to do this presentation, to my parents for their support and Unis for being Unis and keeping me safe……

Molly

23 June 2014

Molly Watt Trust