Pat’s new iPad and internet connection opened up a new world of communication for her, enabling her to communicate with her deaf family members over FaceTime.
Our Computer Delivery project has delivered over 1,700 devices to the community so far, helping people stay connected during the pandemic. One of our recipients Pat shared her story with us about how her new iPad and internet connection has made an impact in her life.
Accessible alternatives to face-to-face
COVID-19 has changed the way we communicate, replacing face-to-face interactions with telephone calls, video chatting or online messaging. However, without an internet connection and a modern device, many of these alternatives are not possible. On top of this, the quick move to interaction through digital that has taken place over the last year and a half does not always consider questions of accessibility.
For 76-year-old Pat, communication has always been a big consideration. In bringing up two deaf children, Pat learnt sign language when they were growing up. Now a carer for her son, she enjoys getting involved in social activities and meeting up with her daughter and son-in-law.
When COVID-19 hit, however, Pat encountered new obstacles to communicating with her loved ones. Without an internet connection or smart device, she began to feel isolated from her daughter and son-in-law, no longer able to see them and therefore unable to speak with them using sign language. The only methods of communication she could use were to phone a neighbour to pass along a message or send a fax.
A new realm of possibilities
Pat was referred to People Know How through Caroline at the City of Edinburgh Council. After a phone call to discuss her needs, our Computer Delivery team matched her with an iPad and a data package, provided to us for distribution by Connecting Scotland.
This iPad opened up a realm of new possibilities for Pat. After struggling through the initial lockdown, her experience of the second lockdown was quite different thanks to her new technology.
"It's opened up a new world for me, especially with my daughter.”
Pat is now able to FaceTime with her daughter and son-in-law, propping her iPad up on the table so she has both hands free to sign on video. With this new communication method that allows them to connect instantly, Pat and her daughter feel a huge difference in their ability to communicate.
And it’s not just FaceTime that Pat has taken to – she also exchanges emails with friends and family, reads the news, and makes sure she’s all caught up with Call the Midwife. Most recently she also FaceTimed her grandson who lives in Japan. He has just recently got engaged and Pat is now planning to attend the wedding on her iPad via live stream!
Pat continues to learn new things about her iPad every day, taking tips from her grandchildren and discovering new things she can do online.
“The whole experience has been life changing for Pat, completely transforming to be honest. This has given her a new lease of life, she has taken to it like a duck to water after never even sending so much as a picture message previously...The reaction that her daughter gave the first time we FaceTimed her was priceless, she was just so surprised, we all had tears in our eyes.”
