The duration of the iPhone was set at one year because of heavy ‘wear and tear’ resulting from the extensive use demanded by someone severely sight impaired, which could slow the performance down over time and decrease the sensitivity of the touch screen The working age groups also changed the mobile phone contract from the basic £10 a month package included in the Main MIS to allow enough data for someone who is severely sight impaired to be able to use their phone without restriction when out and about. As in main MIS, the sight impaired pension age groups did not identify a need for a smartphone. However, they stressed the importance of simplicity and clarity, and changed the specification of the non-smart phone in the main MIS budget to include a model that was easy to use for someone who is sight impaired. They said that the phone needed to have large buttons and a big clear screen, as well as an case of ‘in emergency’ button which provides a direct dial to pre-programmed numbers. People thought that this was a need for someone of pension age living alone who has become sight impaired as they might be more vulnerable to falling and could find it difficult to see the screen or buttons to dial in an emergency. Landline phone and internet connection The main MIS budget for a single working age person does not include a landline, as groups have said that a mobile is sufficient to meet people’s needs. However, the severely sight impaired working age groups all agreed that for someone with little or no sight a landline is a necessity for security and safety purposes. They described the landline as essential up’ to the mobile if there were problems with battery or ‘back
The duration of the iPhone was set at one year because of heavy ‘wear and tear’ resulting from the extensive use demanded by someone severely sight impaired, which could slow the performance down over time and decrease the sensitivity of the touch screen The working age groups also changed the mobile phone contract from the basic £10 a month package included in the Main MIS to allow enough data for someone who is severely sight impaired to be able to use their phone without restriction when out and about. As in main MIS, the sight impaired pension age groups did not identify a need for a smartphone. However, they stressed the importance of simplicity and clarity, and changed the specification of the non-smart phone in the main MIS budget to include a model that was easy to use for someone who is sight impaired. They said that the phone needed to have large buttons and a big clear screen, as well as an ‘in case of emergency’ button which provides a direct dial to pre-programmed numbers. People thought that this was a need for someone of pension age living alone who has become sight impaired as they might be more vulnerable to falling and could find it difficult to see the screen or buttons to dial in an emergency. Landline phone and internet connection The main MIS budget for a single working age person does not include a landline, as groups have said that a mobile is sufficient to meet people’s needs. However, the severely sight impaired working age groups all agreed that for someone with little or no sight a landline is a necessity for security and safety purposes. They described the landline as essential ‘back up’ to the mobile if there were problems with battery or
Sight%20Loss%20and%20Minimum%20Living%20Standards%20Report_Word.docx