To whom it may concern Re: Apart Consultancy. I was Principal Librarian (Information and Social Inclusion) with Islington Library Service until 19th August 2001, taking up my current post of Community and Development Manager with Brighton and Hove City Library Service on 20th August 2001.
From 1996 to 2001 I led the ground breaking Islington project 'See It...Hear It' that gave visually impaired people access to a wide range of library and information services through the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology.)
Apart Consultancy were involved from an early stage following their recommendation by the local visually impaired consultation group.I initially commissioned them to provide tailored OCR (Optical Character Reader) technology for the library that enabled printed text to be converted to speech. I subsequently used them to advise on making our library catalogue more accessible on pcs and laptops and most recently to provide and launch the accessible Internet service. This provided a dedicated pc in the library, with magnified text and sound plus a telephone help line for visually impaired users.
Apart Consultancy supplied leading edge equipment, installation and training and a range of invaluable advice on access issues. I found their up to the minute ICT knowledge invaluable and their service efficient and friendly. I feel the fact that Apart Consultancy was set up and is run by visually impaired people committed to improving access from a personal and philosophical as well as business perspective was crucial to the overall success of the 'See It...Hear It..' project.
Yours sincerely
ALAN ISSLER.
As a customer of APART, I can verify that the quality of service I received was first class.
I discussed my requirements for a new PC and most importantly, I was listened to without anyone trying to sell me what they wanted to sell irrespective of whether I needed it! We agreed on a spec, and APART arranged for a quote to be emailed to me, then they built the machine to my specifications, arranged delivery and provided installation instructions so I could set up the machine without sighted assistance.I have always found Lynda and Joe to be professional and helpful in sorting out any problems requiring their advice and I would recommend them without reservation. They provide a positive service based on value for money, reliability and integrity!
Paul Leake
I have been an APART Consultancy customer since the company's inception; both in respect of the supply of access technology equipment, and in respect of their support service, provided on behalf of Demon Internet.
Access technology equipment is a potential minefield both for the provider and the customer. Although there are objective issues that make products and services accessible or inaccessible, there are also many subjective areas, where the choice of a particular piece of equipment, software, or service, will come down to the preferences and aptitudes of the end user. I make this point because as a totally blind user myself, I need to deal with people who clearly understand the complexity of the problem, and people whose advice I can trust.
Trustworthiness becomes an issue because the access technology field is a business like any other, and the advice of many providers is, shall we say, influenced by the relative profitability or otherwise of a particular solution. In my experience, this has never been the case with APART Consultancy, where I have always found a willingness to outline their best assessment of all the available alternatives, without my having the sense that the advice is prejudiced by how much APART consultancy will make on a particular outcome.In addition, the fact that I am dealing with people, both of whom actually use this equipment to live their lives and run their business, means that I can expect more than the latest received wisdom about what blind people ought to want.
Finally, the provision of equipment, and dealing with Internet access both carry a large technical support component. This component has always been delivered to me with expertise, courtesy and, most important, patience!
I sincerely hope that agencies who administrate governmental and charitable funding, have the insight to distinguish a business ethic based on good service from mere corporate slickness.
Reg Webb
I have been a customer of Apart Consultancy for nearly four years. Throughout this time I have enjoyed an extremely high level of service and satisfaction in all my dealings with the company.
In choosing a PC for purchase I was given time to consider my decision and an opportunity to fully examine and approve the products I was purchasing. Delivery and installation were provided on time and the level of training was excellent.
I experienced a considerable connection problem which turned out to be due to my telephone set-up at home and Apart was unstinting in its efforts to help resolve the problem: there were many phone calls and visits involving a lot of time on the company's part, which continued until the problem was resolved. This demonstrating to me an absolute commitment to its customers.
Over the last four years I have received from Apart a very high level of support when purchasing new software. This support has at times involved lengthy telephone calls or visits to my home very late into the evening on occasions. I have undertaken formal training courses with the company and these have been of a very high standard, both in the training itself and the follow-up support. In all cases, Braille notes were provided and these were detailed and extremely useful.
Advice and help has always been offered whenever I have had problems and I have always been made to feel that nothing is too much trouble for this company in its efforts to achieve full customer satisfaction. At all times the Company has dealt with me in the most courteous and helpful manner, has always kept its promises and provided goods and services to a wonderfully high standard.I would give this company the highest and heartiest recommendation.
Voldi Gailans
I have known Joe Paton for over thirty years and, therefore, feel qualified to give an accurate picture of his abilities.
He has taught and adapted to the contrasting skills of both the young and old on the computer. Those with whom I have conversed are complimentary to an almost irritating degree. I have been in business as a company director for thirty-five years, and in my experience, the people we are all looking for, are those who will go the extra mile. Joe, ably supported by wife Lynda, is such a person. As a couple, they are totally dedicated to the well-being of their clients. They are both very good with people, and this is an ability which, in my opinion, should never be underestimated.
Michael Worsley.
I am a new convert to computers and the internet.
need all the help I can get. I researched the subject of isps assiduously, and found that Demon was the only company which provided a support service for vi users. Furthermore, when I enquired, I learned that the team Demon had contracted to provide this vital service, had two blind members which gave me the confidence of knowing that my concerns and any problems I might have, would be dealt with and understood from the standpoint of a blind person.I have found in the nine months that I have been with Demon, their team has provided me with invaluable help and with patience, professionalism and speed.
Geoff Long.
Here follows an unsolicited testimonial of my honest opinion of the services offered by Apart Consultancy to Demon's visually impaired customers.
Apart Consultancy are indispensable, they are worth their weight in gold. I am registered partially sighted and, when I decided I wanted to go on the Internet I rang the Royal National Institute for the Blind. I explained that I wanted to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider who had experience with dealing with the visually impaired. They told me to ring Demon as Demon has a superb section that look after the visually impaired. I rang Demon who introduced me to Apart Consultancy. I can truthfully say that was the best phone call I have ever made. Apart Consultancy are truly amazing, caring, supportive and helpful. I am not computer literate but I never feel embarrassed about asking any question, no matter how basic it may seem. If they do not have the answer to my question then and there they ALWAYS ring back within the same day with the answer.
They will not finish the phone call until they are happy that I understand the answer and that I feel confident in my approach to the answer. They will explain everything as often as I want. It is of no problem to them if I have forgotten something and need to ring back for clarification.
Frances Walsh