Information Technology

You can download this factsheet as a PDF document: Information Technology (133 kb) [pdf]

This factsheet has been compiled by the Information Service and Joseph Patrick Trust for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Contents:


Computers

Computers have become essential for many of us, but they can be invaluable for people with a muscular dystrophy or related neuromuscular disorder, who may rely on them for leisure and communication.

Computers can offer independence; users can communicate via email and search the web to get information. There are a large number of devices and adaptations to enable even the most disabled user to operate a computer independently.

For example:
  • a larger keyboard on your computer may help;
  • devices are available that take the place of keyboards but are smaller and need less effort to press the keys;
  • an 'on-screen keyboard' means the user only needs a mouse to select characters on the screen;
  • alternatives to using a standard mouse include joysticks or trackerballs, which can be easier to control and use;
  • pointers and sticks are available that can be attached to the head and used to press keys on a keyboard;
  • as with mobile phones, predictive text can help increase the rate of typing - after typing two or three letters, the user is given a selection of words to choose from;
  • voice recognition software can convert speech to text and so means that you talk to your computer rather than type.


Further information on information communication technology solutions is available in our publication ‘Inclusive Education for Children with Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Conditions. Guidance for primary and secondary schools’ (Appendix 1 – Materials for Teachers).

Organisations that provide assessment

It is strongly recommended that an assessment is carried out prior to purchasing a computer as an individual person’s requirements can vary significantly. Also the aim is for the technology to be as supportive as possible which can mean that different hardware adaptations are required or maybe specific software packages.

Some organisations provide services in particular regions of the UK and some restrict their services to younger people in education. See individual entries for further details.

  • AbilityNet
    Helps disabled adults and children use computers and the Internet by adapting and adjusting their information and communications technology. Also provides free information and advice, individual assessment of technology needs, the supply of assistive technology with free support, a programme of awareness education, and consultancy for employers on system and workstation adaptations and web accessibility.
    www.abilitynet.org.uk

    AbilityNet Scotland
    PO Box 28423
    South Queensferry
    EH30 9ZN
    Tel: 0131 331 6381

    AbilityNet North East
    c/o Remploy
    Wesley Way
    Benton Square Industrial Estate
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    NE12 9TA
    Tel: 0191 266 6678

    York Higher Education Access Centre : AbilityNet
    c/o AbilityNet Central England
    AbilityNet
    PO Box 94
    Warwick
    CV34 5WS
    Tel: 0800 269 545

    Note: The York centre specialises in access to Higher Education providing DSA (Disabled Students Allowances) assessment and support to Students in the York area.

    AbilityNet Central England
    PO Box 94
    Warwick
    Warwickshire
    CV34 5WS
    Tel: 0800 269545

    AbilityNet East
    Upper Pendrill Court
    Papworth Everard
    Cambridgeshire
    CB3 8UY
    Tel: 01480 839091

    AbilityNet SouthEast, London Office
    BT Burne House (pp905)
    Bell Street
    North Paddington
    London
    NW1 5BZ
    Tel: 0870 240 4455

    AbilityNet SouthEast, Webridge Office
    c/o Microsoft Ltd
    Microsoft Campus
    Thames Valley Park
    Reading
    RG6 1WG
    Tel: 0870 240 4455

    AbilityNet Thames Valley
    c/o Microsoft Ltd
    Microsoft Campus
    Thames Valley Park
    Reading
    RG6 1WG
    Tel: 0870 240 4455

    AbilityNet West
    c/o AbilityNet Central England
    PO Box 94
    Warwick
    Warwickshire
    CV34 5WS
    Tel: 0800 269545

  • ACE Centre Advisory Trust
    An independent charity whose role is to be a centre of information, support, and training for parents and professionals in the use of technology for young people in education who have communication difficulties, both in speaking and/or writing.

    There are two centres that cover particular regions of the UK - ACE Centre Advisory Trust (serving the south of England, excluding Greater London, South and Mid-Wales, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles and the Channel Islands) and ACE Centre North (serving the north of England, North Wales, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland).

    ACE Centre Advisory Trust
    92 Windmill Road
    Headington
    Oxford
    OX3 7DR
    Tel: 01865 759800
    Web: www.ace-centre.org.uk

    ACE Centre North
    Units 11 & 12
    Gatehead Business Park
    Delph New Road
    Delph
    Saddleworth
    OL3 5DE
    Tel: 01457 829444
    Web: www.ace-north.org.uk

  • Access to Communication and Technology (ACT)
    Deals with alternative methods of communicating and with different ways of using electronic equipment for people with physical disabilities in the West Midlands. Provides assessment, training and review of progress.

    Access to Communication and Technology (ACT)
    West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre
    Oak Tree Lane Centre
    91 Oak Tree Lane
    Selly Oak
    Birmingham
    B29 6JA
    Tel: 0121 627 8235

  • Adapt-IT
    Their focus is to help disabled people make full use of computers. They provide assessment and training.

    Adapt-IT
    Churchill House
    Stirling Way
    Borehamwood
    Hertfordshire
    WD6 2HP
    Tel: 0845 644 1712
    Web: www.adapt-it.org.uk

  • Aidis Trust
    Aidis works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through communication aids, computers, and the special assistive technology that people with disabilities need to use. They provide assessment, advice, training and support. See also Aidis Shop in Suppliers section below.

    Aidis Trust
    3 Gunthorpe Street
    London
    E1 7RQ
    Tel: 020 7426 2130
    Web: www.aidis.org

  • CALL Centre (Communication Aids for Language and Learning)
    Provides specialist expertise in technology for children who have speech, communication and/or writing difficulties in schools across Scotland.

    The CALL Centre
    University of Edinburgh
    Paterson’s Land
    Holyrood Road
    Edinburgh
    EH8 8AQ
    Tel: 0131 651 6235 / 6236
    Web: www.callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk

  • CENMAC (Centre for Micro-Assisted Communication)
    A team of advisory teachers who assess and review the progress of pupils in the Greater London area who have been referred to the service because their physical disability hinders their access to the curriculum.

    CENMAC
    Charlton School
    Charlton Park Road
    London
    SE7 8JB
    Tel: 020 8854 1019
    Web: www.cenmac.com


Sources of funding

  • British Association of Health Services in Higher Education - Student Disability Assistance Fund
    Helps students with disabilities to keep up with their studies. The maximum amount of each award is £500 and students must be involved in higher education on a full-time or nearly full-time basis.

    Agent: Dr K Cockerill
    Sandra Furmston
    Administrative Secretary
    BAHSHE Office
    35 Hazelwood Road
    Bush Hill Park
    Enfield
    EN1 1JG
    Tel: 020 8482 2412
    Web: www.bahshe.demon.co.uk

  • Disability Aid Fund
    Provides a wide range of technology, such as adapted computers and communication aids, for people with physical, mental or multiple disabilities or hearing or visual impairment. The trustees are also keen to help people with progressive neurological conditions like muscular dystrophy.

    Roger Jefcoate CBE
    2 Swanbourne Road
    Mursley
    Milton Keynes
    MK17 0JA
    Tel: 01296 720533

  • Ecas
    Voluntary organisation dedicated to giving friendly and practical help to physically disabled people in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The Access Fund considers applications for computer equipment.

    Tel: 0131 4752344
    Web: www.ecas-edinburgh.org

  • Family Fund
    Provides grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children, based on families' views and needs.

    Family Fund
    Unit 4
    Alpha Court
    Monks Cross Drive
    Huntington
    York
    YO32 9WN
    Tel: 0845 130 4542
    Web: www.familyfundtrust.org.uk

  • Jonathan Young Memorial Trust
    Provides computer equipment by giving grants towards the cost of new computers and by making grants of refurbished (second-hand) computer systems. For people in the East Midlands.

    Jonathan Young Memorial Trust
    10 Huntingdon Drive
    The Park
    Nottingham
    NG7 1BW
    Tel: 0115 947 0493
    Web: www.jonathan-young-trust.co.uk

  • Joseph Patrick Trust
    Provides grants to people with muscular dystrophy or associated neuromuscular conditions towards specialist equipment to help promote mobility and independence such as powered wheelchairs, electric beds and specially adapted computers.

    Joseph Patrick Trust
    61 Southwark Street
    London
    SE1 0HL
    Tel: 020 7803 4800
    Freephone: 0800 652 6352
    Web: The Joseph Patrick Trust

  • Lawrence Atwell's Charity
    Assists young people (aged 16-26) with grants for vocational training.

    Lawrence Atwell's Charity
    Skinners' Hall
    8 Dowgate Hill
    London
    EC4R 2SP
    Tel: 020 7213 0561
    Web: www.skinnershall.co.uk
  • Lions Clubs International
    Local Lions Clubs gives priority to the needs of their local community, providing support and maybe equipment.

    Multiple District 105 (British Isles & Ireland)
    257 Alcester Road South
    Kings Heath
    Birmingham
    B14 6DT
    Tel: 0845 833 9502
    Web: www.lions.org.uk

  • Lord Ashdown Charitable Trust
    Grants to disabled students.

    Clive M Marks FCA
    Cive Marks & Co
    44a New Cavendish Street
    London
    W1G 8TR
    Tel: 020 7486 4663

  • The Sequal Trust
    Although The Sequal Trust does not provide cash grants, it does provide communication equipment. This can be in the form of a specialised computer system, voice synthesiser to relay pre-recorded messages, and many other items of communication equipment, to people with speech and/or movement difficulties.

    In most instances they arrange professional assessments to establish individual needs.

    The Sequal Trust
    3 Ploughman's Corner
    Wharf Road
    Ellesmere
    Shropshire
    SY12 0EJ
    Tel: 01691 624222
    Email: thesequaltrust@freeuk.com
    Web: www.the-sequal-trust.org.uk

  • Snowdon Award Scheme
    Provides funds to help cover the additional costs of disability for students in further and higher education or training leading towards employment, including computer equipment.

    Snowdon Award Scheme
    22 City Business Centre
    6 Brighton Road
    Horsham
    West Sussex
    RH13 5BB
    Tel: 01403 211252 (9.30-2.30pm)
    Web: www.snowdonawardscheme.org.uk


Suppliers

  • Able2Use
    Aim to make computers accessible and enjoyable to use for everyone, especially those people who do not have standard requirements. Stock a range of products.

    Able2Use.com
    Technology House
    Festival Trade Park
    Crown Road
    Stoke on Trent
    Staffordshire
    ST1 5NJ
    Tel: 0845 200 8140
    Web: www.able2use.com

  • Aidis Shop
    Aidis Shop is part of the Aidis Trust (see entry in Organisations that provide assessment section above). Working with partners: Fujitsu Siemens, Maxi Million and Inclusive Technology (who share Aidis’ goals and support their work) they have negotiated significant discounts on computers, hardware adaptations and software. These discounts have been negotiated specifically for disabled people. In the case of software and adaptations they are exclusively for home use. These discounts are available to recipients of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance only.

    Aidis Trust
    3 Gunthorpe Street
    London
    E1 7RQ
    Tel: 0845 120 3719
    Web: www.aidis.org/shop

  • Box 42
    Supplies bespoke computer systems. Also installs, delivers everything and provides training and support.

    Box 42
    Freepost NWW5249
    St Helens
    WA10 3BR
    Tel: 0151 426 9988
    Web: www.box42.co.uk

  • Computers for the Disabled
    Their mission is to help disabled people communicate and participate in day-to-day activities most people take for granted. This is done by recycling computers, giving disabled people an alternative means of keeping in touch.

    Computers for the Disabled
    41 New Waverley Road
    Noak Bridge
    Laindon
    Essex
    SS15 4BJ
    Tel: 01268 284834
    Web: www.cftd.co.uk

  • Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire
    An independent charity which provides information, advice and practical help to encourage individuals and organisations to take practical steps towards a more sustainable future. One of their activities is the sale of a range of refurbished computers.

    Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire
    Parkfield
    Western Park
    Hinckley Road
    Leicester
    LE3 6HX
    Tel: 0116 222 0232
    Web: www.gwll.org.uk

  • IT for Charities
    They have a list of companies that supply reconditioned computers. Some supply to organisations, others supply to individuals.

    Web: www.itforcharities.co.uk/pcs.htm

  • Keytools Ltd
    Provides computer technology products and information.

    Keytools Ltd
    PO Box 700
    Southampton
    SO17 1LQ
    Tel: 023 8058 4314
    Web: www.keytools.com

  • RecommIT
    Computer recycling service with products for sale.

    RecommIT Ltd
    4 The Dolphin Centre
    Southampton Road
    Salisbury
    Wiltshire
    SP1 2NB
    Tel: 01722 339 660
    Web: www.recommit.co.uk

  • Recycle-IT!
    The largest national not-for-profit computer recycling company in the UK, providing a professional service to corporate organisations, local authorities and small businesses. Also provide a service to people with disabilities.

    Recycle-IT
    The Wesley Enterprise Centre
    Royce Road
    Hulme
    Manchester
    M15 5BP
    Tel: 0161 232 1424 or 0870 774 3762
    Web: www.recycle-it.ltd.uk


Other support services

  • British Computer Society Disability Group
    Focuses on the role of IT in giving disabled people a better quality of life.
    Web: www.disability.bcs.org.uk

  • Ability Magazine
    Ability Magazine is a campaigning publication for people who have difficulty using IT. It is aimed at those who buy, run and use accessible systems. In each issue Ability Magazine provides vital insight into the products, techniques and skills required to deliver systems for users who find it difficult to use standard software and hardware.
    Web: www.abilitymagazine.co.uk

  • IT Can Help Network (ITCH)
    ITCH is a network of volunteers who are able to offer free local computer assistance to disabled people.
    Web: www.itcanhelp.org.uk

  • Disabled Access to Technology Association (DATA)
    Aims to assist unemployed disabled people to achieve personal and professional goals by providing training in information technology in a caring and supportive environment.

    DATA
    Neville House
    Neville Road
    Bradford
    BD4 8TU
    Tel: 01274 370 019

  • U Can Do I.T.
    Computer training for blind deaf and disabled people in their own home.

    U Can Do I.T.
    Highfield House
    4 Woodfull Sheet
    London
    SW3 4DJ
    Tel: 020 7730 7766
    Web: www.ucandoit.org.uk