# Fisk Brett tackles fundraising database accessibility for visually impaired users

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/02/02/fisk-brett-tackles-fundraising-database-accessibility-visually-impaired-users/
- Published: 2005-02-02T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/2953.gif)

Software suppliers Fisk Brett and sight charity Action for Blind People have worked
together to product “the first charity CRM database for visually impaired employees.”

Fisk Brett’s Progress CRM database has undergone extensive development to allow 
those with visual impairment to use the system alongside those with full sight.

The software company claim that “this is the first charity specific database that
is fully compatible with screen reading software and can be used extensively by 
visually impaired users”.

Developed against the backdrop of the extensions to the Disability Discrimination
Act that came into force in October 2004, these enhancements to Progress will mean
that charities with visually impaired staff will be able to choose a database that
is inclusive to all employees and will help reduce discrimination in the workplace.

## Advertisement

 [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)

[⌊[Action for Blind People logo]⌉⌊[Action for Blind People logo]⌉[ The collaboration began in early 2004 when software developers at Fisk Brett met with the database team at [Action for Blind People](http://www.afbp.org) to discuss
the requirements needed.

“The key requirement was to make necessary changes to Progress to allow it to work
alongside screen reading software, namely Supernova”, explained Morris Evans, a 
developer working on the project.

“This meant rewriting codes, making all actions accessible from the keyboard via
shortcut keys, and making the tab key intuitive to the flow of fields within Progress
screens. With over 350 screens in Progress this work was time consuming but with
the end result meaning that Progress is more accessible it has been extremely rewarding.”

The database team at Action for Blind People then tested the redeveloped database.

Stephen Remington, Chief Executive of Action for Blind People, said: “The advancements
made at Fisk Brett complement the work we do informing employers of the great contribution
that blind and partially sighted people already make to the success of businesses
throughout the country.”

 * **[CTT and TechSoup partner to provide Cisco networking kit to UK organisations](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/02/14/ctt-and-techsoup-partner-provide-cisco-networking-kit-uk-organisations/)**(
   14 February 2005)
 * **[New United Way website to save $20,000 per year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/02/25/new-united-way-website-save-20000-year/)**(
   25 February 2005)
 * **[eTapestry celebrates first year of profit](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/03/03/etapestry-celebrates-first-year-profit/)**(
   3 March 2005)