The thought of taking part in a gruelling 600-mile yacht race would fill most people with dread. But despite being blind since the age of 13, Ed Kitchen jumped at the chance last month. “I’ve been a keen sailor since a child. My Dad always encouraged me to live my dreams and to not allow my disability to get in the way.” said Ed.
The adventure is typical of the man who has signed up to be a digital champion for Go ON Leeds and spoke at its launch. With an estimated 136,000 local residents yet to experience the internet, it’s people like Ed who are spreading the word.
Ed, who is 35 and lives in Rotherham, works for O2 at its main offices in Leeds. He’s able to do his work thanks to special software that turns his computer text into voice, and a braille display to translate as a back-up.
“The technology allows me to work like anybody else. The specially adapted system is amazing. It even picks up graphics and can relate a smile or icon into voice,” said Ed.
“I am right behind the efforts of Go ON Leeds and want to encourage as many people as possible, not just those with a sight impairment, to try going online to see what a difference it can make.”
“The internet has opened a whole new world for me,” said Ed. “If I wanted to research something, I would have to go the library and rely on somebody either looking up the information and reading to me or getting a photocopy to scan into braille.
“Online shopping is another big boost. Beforehand, a shopping experience was like hell on earth. If you can imagine going into a supermarket and asking for help. You would get someone to help pick an item, say fresh orange, and they would take the first pack off the shelf unless you were very specific.
“Now, I can shop online with a full description and order exact items. They are delivered to my door by the shop who then check every item with me. I can’t begin to explain how good that is.”
Colleagues at O2 have been following the progress of Ed, and his trusted guide dog Darcy, on the intranet where he writes a regular blog about his experiences at work and home. His insights are helping people in the business get an appreciation of what life is like for customers with a disability and is also influencing company policy when looking at new products and services.
“I hope that people take the plunge and go online during the week,” said Ed. They shouldn’t be frightened but embrace the technology and realise how much better their lives can be.”
With love well and truly in the air, thanks for inspiring your audiences to join the UK’s network of big-hearted digital champions!
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