Hello, Project Team,

Since joining, I am gradually getting around how to find (that's hard(, and post, (don't enjoy the limit of characters but understand why have a limit in the first place. You will teach me how to be more economical when writing).

Is there information for people who are using adaptive technology to help them if they have problems navagating or interacting with your website? Personally, my memory for what to do is at fault. Other people may be new to it and need some explicit instructions. I know this is a lot to ask, because this would need to be reviewed and updated as the technology marches on.

I'm not finding how to navagate to your font options via my keyboard, but I can use Ctrl+b/i. I don't care for number or bullet lists. I'd copy and paste from word if I did.

I don't mind emojis because my software can usually identify what they are - sometimes not quite accurately, I have discovered, but maybe that will improve, given more time and effort.

However, I am not hearing any embedded alternate text for images which would briefly describe what it is, for example, if I could include one for my avatar, I would write:

Head and forelimbs of a ginger and white cat on a maroon bedspread, with 'Mekitty' written in green.

I could say that because I know she was on my bedspread when I had taken the original photo. I have tried to use a Microsoft tool in Word documents to include text descriptions which text-to-speech readers are supposed to read when anyone using such adaptive technology encounters the images inscluded in Word documents. But it didn't work! I don't know what I did wrong. It is just really annoying to hear 'image' or as on this site, when encountering an avatar, I hear it is so-&-so's avatar. I can't visually interpret much of what I see, and less as time goes by.

I am interested in what avatars people are using.

I too would like to edit after posting, if only to correct spelling errors! I do try to check what I am about to post, but still some get past the editor! Of-course I do better when I am not v tired.

As much as I might enjoy the idea of including pictures or audio/video, I think that might make getting around more complicated. I would like 'fancy features' to be optional.

what is this 'symbol 2 0 0 b' my text-to speech reader keeps announcing at the end of my text when I am writing a post? I think I have removed it, sometimes, but notice nothing different when I do. It seems to do no harm, so just curious.

mmMekitty

+ I had a post not posted, and received an email explaining I had tried to post it into a 'pinned thread specifically for BB champions.' My text-to-speech reader found the badge of what looks to me like a two-toned dark grey push pin, (on my dark background it is hard to spot), and announced it as a 'sticky' thread.

I thought this meant that such Threads so marked would never disappear from near the top of the list and Only the newly created Threads might appear above.

It didn't say it was a restricted thread. Some I note have a lock - that would indicate it is blocked for some reason?

Perhaps adding words like 'for BB Champions chat'?

Maybe a separate Topic section for the restricted Threads.

I wondered if those participating in those restricted Threads really want me to be in effect, 'lurking' on them. I think, if you are going to restrict posting to any particular Thread, then. don't let me read them either. I am not sure I want to even know they exist.

I don't like auto-generated emails, form-filling, those Capture things, (which I was glad you don't have), not even when there is an audio option.

If voice posts were available, I would actually suggest a choice of synthetic voices, to guard against people being identified just as surely as an actual photo of self being used for an avatar. High quality voices preferred. Keep both text and voice available for users to decide as they want. Some people comprehend better when reading, some when listening. Some are more comfortable with written language, some with speaking, or even making pictures to express themselves. One method might be just the beginning, and other means of expression might come later.

I don't want any media to be unavailable or inaccessible. For very basic things, I can still use my old Paint programme - unsure for how much longer.

The option to upload images which could be security scanned.

You would have to consider how much more work might need to be done ensuring people respected the site guidelines, conditions of use and the law. Lot of work just keeping an eye on what's coming in, now!

If I could find a software programme I could easily use to make music on, I would have that too!

*sigh* but one can dream ... can't upload those either... mmMekitty

Doh! I have run into another little problem. I thought I might check out the Donation procedure.

On my dark background with pale font, I could not see if a radio button was actuallyselected or not. I get confused with how my text-to-xpeech announces these.things. The Check boxes tick lights up well. That's okay for now, because I still have some sight, and can zoom in v big if needed.

It did say to fill in all required fields, which are commonly marked with a '*' . I did nt find any, so I thought I would select an option for my donation, and well, because I don't want to name my donation in celebration, support or memory of a specific individual, but would rather generally celebrate, support someone, everyone, or not name the one I want whose memory I want to honour, I could not proceed. It was 'requiring' first and last names to be provided, whether or not I wanted to 'send a letter ...'.

I am not happy with that. I like to see what the full procedure, you know, how payments are made, other information you ask, if you keep all these details I give even if I have selected to make a one-off donation. There was not even a little note about how the letter to family.friends would be sent, what it would say, (or maybe, if I had checked that box, I would have discovered I was to write it?)

I have been thinking, I want my donation to specifically support the upgrade, the Project Team's work...

mmMekitty

Hello ProjectTeam, it's always good to get you to reply, my query is, and first of all, is I really appreciate everyone who participates on the forum, that's how this site has been able to keep going as well as why it continually is growing in size every month, it's a much needed place where people can express themselves without any fear of any criticism.

My best thoughts.

Geoff.

Hello mmMekitty, I've just looked at the donations page and your best way for these questions to be answered is by clicking 'Get in touch' and then press 'Let us know'.

I used to donate a while ago but only stopped because I needed to get a new laptop, and any donations would go into a fund that supports all the work involved in Beyond Blue, so it would probably be supporting the new Project, as money is distributed accordingly.

Geoff.

Hello mmMekitty!

just a polite note on the character limit you mentioned earlier...Some people with a depressive or anxiety related health condition have difficulty reading posts anywhere near our current character ceiling

You are fortunate that you can read super long posts....Sometimes the quality of a post outweighs the quantity when the reader has a 'tired mind'

Hi Geoff.....Its only my humble opinion that an organization like Beyond Blue should be more transparent where allocation of donations are concerned

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hello Paul, you have made a good point and I agree with you, as it seems that the online forums are last on the list, I don't believe this should be so, this is the way many people communicate with others and should be regarded as high on the list.

There is not enough contact with volunteers on a personal level, nor funds to allow the online forums to be updated as we have been promised for years.

Take care.

Geoff.

Hi again everyone

Thank you for being a part of this vibrant and growing community, it is wonderful to see how many people are committed to making this the best possible space to share experiences of the journey towards positive mental health.

We appreciate and value the feedback that you have given us on this thread can hear that you are eager to see what the new forum space will look and feel like – so are we!

For queries about donations, we recommend sending an email through to donations@beyondblue.org.au to make sure the best team can help.
We take accessibility for the community incredibly seriously and want as many people as possible to enjoy the peer connection offered by the forums.

Our number one priority is making sure that our new forum platform is as useful and user friendly as it can be. This process has taken some time and we thank you all for your patience as we work through the various technical and design elements. We look forward to sharing our progress with you in the New Year and having our new way to connect with others who understand, up and running in 2022.

Thank you again for sharing and sorry it has taken so long to respond here. We are going to try our best to be jumping back into this thread more often as we start the New Year – thank you for being understanding .

All our best

The Project Team

Hi Baileybasil

Thankyou for your excellent post

I was involved (with many others) in providing input for improvements/changes to the forums in 2017-18-19. It did surprise me that the last entry made from the 'Project Team' was December 14 2021. Im sorry you havent had a response...yet...

I hope you can stick around the forums Baileybasil.....If we dont have ongoing participation from new members the forums would cease to exist. Thankyou for being a part of the Beyond Blue family :-)

Paul

Hi Beyond Blue Forums Community

Thank you all so much for your passion, support, and willingness to contribute to the new and improved space that will be launched in early June. We are excited to be able to announce that we will be able to share this new platform with you all and that it will make connecting and sharing so much easier.

We want to thank you all for your suggestions and comments in this thread, across the forums, via email and through our community consultation process. As always, we have looked to centre the lived experience of our users to ensure that we have the best possible site.

Some of the great ways we are improving are below which you can check out. We are also making a range of improvements to the site ‘behind the curtain’ to ensure we can continue to support all users when they need us.

Why are we doing this?
We have embarked on this journey because we believe in supporting a peer-led, digital mental health space that allows you to share how you are feeling and connect with others. We know that this is a helpful and empowering action to take.

Most importantly, we have done this for you, the members and readers of this Forum. We know that what you share is powerful and so we want a beautiful site to match!

What will change?
This move will improve on lots of the things you’ve told us matter. Here’s a few of the things you’ll soon be able to enjoy:

• Notifications! You’ve been feeding back to us for a while that you’d love for the platform to notify you when someone responds to your post or thread. The new platform gives you the ability to change your notification settings and preferences.

• A better experience for anyone using the Forums with a mobile or tablet.
• The option to “follow” and “support” discussions and posts so that you can show your support even if you aren’t able to share a full post.

• The ability to view profile – you'll still have all the privacy you currently enjoy, but you’ll be able to view badges and past posts all in one place.
• A better search function. Find what you’re looking for more easily.

When will this happen?

We will be launching the new Forums in early June! We’ll keep you updated as we go right here, so stay tuned!

All the best, 

The Poject Team

😸Thank you, Project Team. Your efforts are well appreciated.

mmMekitty

Hi BB & everyone 👋

Congratulations I love how excited youse are and have no doubt there's been mammoth work put into these changes.

Thanks to everyone involved seriously this is a fantastic community. You look after us well ☺

I'll read more over the next few days.

All the best for a smooth hassle free transition.

Good on youse. Take care👍

⚘

KERLIA

This is the a place to post to ask about changes to the forum.

welcome to the forum.

This forum is free and supportive.

Hi Kerlia welcome to the forums ☺

There's Red rectangles on every thread below " Online Forums " on the Left near the top of the page.

One of them has FAQ's which is where anyone can ask general questions.

Yes glad to say this is free.

If you choose and are unsure how to do a thread also in FAQ's section on the first post shows how

No problem that you asked here btw

All the best 👋