O2 today announced a  collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in training over 80 of its in-store tech specialists. These specialists, known as O2 Gurus, are now able to offer an enhanced service to customers with sight loss.

This innovative service is in line with O2’s commitment to make the digital and technological world accessible to all.  O2 invited RNIB to give specialist training to its O2 Gurus, thereby giving them a greater understanding of the needs of its blind and partially sighted customers.

As blind and partially sighted mobile users are no longer restricted to traditional handset types, the specialist training seminars focussed on customising smartphones and operating systems such as Android and iOS.  With a  focus upon enhancing  the user-experience,  topics included the use of voice-command systems, specialist apps and formatting handsets to enlarge fonts, adjust layouts and colour schemes ensuring that blind and partially sighted people are getting the most of our their mobile technology.

Working with RNIB is another example of O2’s Think Big commitment to make a sustainable and positive contribution to local communities. Think Big is the basis of its sustainability plan, which focuses on people, customers and the planet. One of O2’s goals is to continue to improve its services for people with disabilities.

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:

“This step will certainly give O2 the edge when customers with sight loss are looking to upgrade their mobile technology. We hope that O2’s lead is taken up by other commercial brands to make the high street more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

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.”

Pieter Engelbrecht, O2 Guru said: “It’s great that we have had the opportunity to participate in training with RNIB.  This training makes me confident that I will be able to offer a better service to our blind and partially sighted customers and help them to get more from their mobiles.”

O2 Gurus are available to help in-store, online and over the phone.  There is also a dedicated You Tube channel, O2 Guru TV, which offers a wide range of videos featuring clear, step by step instructions. For more information visit www.o2.co.uk/guru or www.youtube.com/O2GuruTV

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