Mobile operator O2 has teamed up with Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to re-train 80 of its in-store tech specialists, enhancing the service they can offer to customers with sight loss.
Specialist training seminars overseen by the RNIB focussed on customising smartphones and operating systems such as Android and iOS.
Staff were schooled in how the use of voice-command systems, specialist apps and formatting handsets to enlarge fonts, adjust layouts and colour schemes can help blind and partially sighted people get the most out of mobile technology.
Crispin Lowery, Head of Retail at O2 said: “We are committed to providing a great in-store experience for everyone. O2 Gurus are our technology experts and by working with RNIB we can help offer the best service for people with sight loss.
“We continue to look at how we can make our products, services and stores more accessible, which reaffirms our commitment to Think Big across our business.”
Lesley-Anne Alexander CBE, Chief Executive of RNIB, said: “There are almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss and this figure is set to dramatically increase over the next decade.
“Technology is so important to blind and partially sighted people as it enables them to live more independently and O2 are to be congratulated on taking this first step in providing this tailored service to blind and partially sighted customers.”