Adapting Technology - Changing Lives

Children’s hospice charity ‘Best in Show’ at inaugural Technology4Good Awards

A charity which brings digital fun and learning opportunities to 5,000 children in hospices nationwide was the toast of the first Technology4Good Awards, winning both the Accessibility Award and the Best in Show.

Pictured from left to right: Sarah Foxall (Microsoft), Simone Enefer-Doy (Lifelites), NigelLewis (AbilityNet), Neeta Norton (Lifelites) and Mariella Frostrup.

Please get in touch with the AbilityNet Press Office for more fascinating stories about how our Technology4Good winners have helped make the world a better place.

MiDRAS workplace disability management

From referral, through triage, assessment, equipment supply to training and case management - MiDRAS is the market-leading integrated solution that addresses the challenge of workplace disability management efficiently and cost effectively.

Find out more about MiDRAS.

AbilityNet Accreditation

Recently launched, AbilityNet are the first company to provide a ‘real life accessibility accreditation’. Our accreditation focuses on ensuring every user has the best and most accessible experience possible. It ensures your businesses exceptional accessibility standards are instantly recognised by the easily recognisable logo.

Find out more about AbilityNet Accreditation.

Announcing the AbilityNet DSA Assessment Centre

The brand new AbilityNet DSA Assessment Centre (London) is ready to welcome its first clients. Centrally located and easily accessed by tube, rail and bus, this modern facility offers your students a comprehensive support service run by skilled staff in a friendly and relaxing environment with free on-site parking.

AbilityNet has over 20 years of unparalleled expertise in the field of adaptive and assistive technology and already helps thousands of people obtain full computer and internet access every year.

At AbilityNet we guarantee that every student is seen within two weeks, in addition to a rapid turn around of the assessment report. Our flexible and extended opening hours mean appointments are available seven days a week including weekday evenings, and we provide free refreshments, Wi-Fi and TV for our guests to enjoy during their visit.

Find out more about the AbilityNet DSA Centre.

Enable children with a disability in Northern Ireland

We are looking to engage a further 32 children centres and nurseries and supporting them with access to a FREE loan bank of equipment and FREE assessment, support and training. As a participating children centre, you will have the opportunity to receive training, a support pack of information to develop further skills, and remote support and assessments for nursery age children. You will also have access to a wide range of adaptive technology from our loan bank. For example: Switches, Alternative Mice and Keyboards, Keyboard stickers, Touch Monitors, Switch adapted toys and much more. This service is funded by the Roald Dahl Foundation and is FREE to participating organisations.

For more information please call 0800 269 545 or email preschool@abilitynet.org.uk

Free Support Packages for AAC/AT Services

Free AbilityNet support packages for AAC / AT services supporting children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

We are offering Local Authorities and PCT’s in England a number of free funded one year “Local Capacity” Service Level Agreements (SLA) to support their students and staff in their use of assistive technology to overcome communication difficulties. Find out more about our Free Support Packages for AAC/AT Services.

Sustaining Switched on Communities

Funded by the Big Lottery and working with Community Partners across the UK AbilityNet have supported Voluntary and Community Organisations with accessibility kit, initial and ongoing training and support , access to a loan bank of equipment, the full range of individual assessment options, and advice about adaptive technology for your centre and individuals using your centre.

Sustaining Switched on Communities Evaluation Report 2010:

".....This project has been a dramatic demonstration of the way proven expertise that has been built up in one organisation can be disseminated widely and rapidly. AbilityNet's reach has been significantly extended through the innovative 'cascade' model, whereby AbilityNet supported regional Community Partners, who in turn recruited and supported local voluntary and community organisations."

If you would like to be part of this project please email switchedon@abilitynet.org.uk or call 0800 269545.