Assistive Technology Newsletter: January 2015
Summary: What’s In This Month’s Newsletter
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headers below (desktop users only):
Public Policy, Legislation and Campaigns >
MPs highlight failings in Access to Work scheme | National Centre for Ageing
Science and Innovation to be established | Innovate UK trials driverless cars on
English roads | Saturday 17th January is Disabled Access Day | Aviation watchdog
tells airlines to publish accessibility guidance online
Technological Developments and Innovations >
Age UK expands independent living product online offering | Barclays pilots app to
provide personalised service to disabled customers | Intel to publish software behind
Professor Stephen Hawking’s new computer system | The MotionSavvy UNI tablet
translates sign language into text
Training and Professional Development Opportunities >
Housing Learning and Improvement Network Extra Care Housing Annual
Conference | Breaking the Bubble musical engagement courses
Funding News >
The Alan & Thomas Insurance Group launches dedicated charity website | The
Technology Trust gives charities cut-price access to leading technology companies |
NCVO blogs guide to the ESIF 2014-2020 Programme
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1. Public Policy, Legislation and Campaigns
MPs highlight failings in Access to Work scheme
The Parliamentary Select Committee that oversees the Department for Work and Pensions
has produced a critical report on the Access to Work scheme, finding that the programme is
supporting only a minority of the disabled people it was set up to assist. Access to Work is a
government-funded programme that provides grants to help cover the cost of additional
expenses such as equipment, transport fares that personal support people with disabilities
and health conditions may incur in order to get into and remain in voluntary or paid work.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee’s report highlights concerns over administrative
problems, delays and reductions in funding for Access to Work. It also points to evidence of
‘an unacceptable lack of disability awareness’ among some staff involved in administering
the scheme and a lack of transparency about how it is managed.
Dame Anne Begg MP, the chair of the Select Committee, says that underfunding may have
led ministers to seek to increase the number of people supported, by reducing funding for
high-cost support packages, particularly for those who use British Sign Language
interpreters. However, the number of people receiving help has dropped below the figure
reached during the programme’s busiest year to date in 2009/10, when the number of
claimants peaked at more than 37,000, despite calls to expand the programme. The day
before the report was published, Mark Harper, the Minister for Disabled People, announced
a number of new measures including specialist teams for deaf people, those with hearing
impairments and other conditions as well as making it easier to contact Access to Work staff
by email and new guidance for customers.
National Centre for Ageing Science and Innovation to be established
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has used his autumn statement to
announce government funding for the creation of a National Centre for Ageing Science and
Innovation (NASI). Hosted by Newcastle University, the new centre will promote the
development of new technologies and services designed to help older people to continue to
live in their own homes and remain socially active. It will draw on existing local expertise by
bringing together scientists and doctors from Newcastle University Institute for Ageing and
the University’s to partner NHS trusts and work with industry and the public to bring new
products that improve the health and wellbeing to market. The government and Newcastle
University will each invest £20 million in the centre.
Innovate UK trials driverless cars on English roads
The government funded charity specialising in science and technology Innovate UK has
released details of plans to fund a trial of driverless cars due to take place in Milton Keynes,
Coventry, Bristol and Greenwich, London. Beginning on 1st January 2015 and lasting for
between 18-36 months, the test sites will assess the feasibility of driverless cars in real world
situations and seek to improve public confidence in technology. In addition to their potential
benefits to wider society, driverless vehiclescould also greatly increase the independence of
people who are unable to drive due to physical or sensory impairments. The trials are being
funded through Innovate UK’s Introducing Driverless Cars to UK Roads programme. This
aims to establish the UK as a global leader for the research, development and integration of
driverless vehicles and associated technologies.
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Saturday 17th January isDisabled Access Day
Disabled people are being encouraged to go out and try something new on Saturday
17thJanuary 2015 as part of the first ever national Disabled Access Day. The idea for
Disabled Access Day originated with the creators of Euan’s Guide, a website that provides
disabled people with information on the accessibility of venues across the UK and was
founded by Euan MacDonald who is disabled himself. Its aim is to help people with
disabilities discover new activities and attractions whether this involves simply visiting a
different cinema or café for the first time or travelling further afield such as to Paris or
Amsterdam. BT, Standard Life, Visit England, Visit Scotland and Visit Wales have pledged
support to the initiative by helping people with access needs find out about accessible
attractions. In central London the National Theatre, Tate Modern, House of Parliament and
Borough Market will be participating and tourist agencies of a number of foreign countries
such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Bulgaria and Portugal are promoting the
opportunities that their hospitality establishments and attractions offer disabled visitors.
Aviation watchdog tells airlines to publish accessibility guidance online
The Civil Aviation Authority has set out new disability information requirements for airlines
operating flights departing from the UK. Last August the air transportation regulator
informed fifty major airlines that their websites would be required to publish twelve pieces of
information to help disabled travellers use their services by the end of 2014. The
requirements include having a clearly labelled hyperlink to a page or a series of pages on
accessibility on the airline’s homepage with easy-to-understand information on safety
restrictions operated by the airline, how to obtain assistance, seating on board, when a carer
will be required to accompany disabled passengers, guide dogs and directions to the
lavatory. The new rules follow a review of airlines’ and airports’ websites which found that
information that was essential for disabled passengers was not always easy to find and often
unclear.
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2. Technological Developments and Innovations
Age UK expands independent living product online offering
Age UK Trading, part of Age UK’s social enterprise, has joined forces with healthcare
product supplier NRS Healthcare to expand its range of independent living products. Age
UK Trading has recently launched an e-commerce site which allows shoppers to order from
a catalogue of products that help with activities such as walking and getting around, cooking
and preparing food, dressing, bathing and showering, and hobbies. The partnership with
NRS Healthcare will introduce approximately 350 new products designed to enhance the
independence and lifestyles of people in the latter stages of their lives. The website also
provides contact details of a dedicated customer care team which provides expert product
advice and support.
Barclays pilots app to provide personalised service to disabled customers
Barclays bank has announced a small-scale trial of in-branch beacon technology that will
help members of staff identify and deliver a better service to disabled customers. The trial
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will involve an app that customers can download onto their iPhones which will automatically
notify staff members when they enter the premises and provides details of any extra
assistance they require. It is hoped that the technology will reduce the need for customers
to explain their accessibility needs every time they enter the branch by enabling the
customer to create a profile of their requirements, even providing a photo of themselves if
they wish, so that Barclays can provide a quicker and better tailored service. The initial trial
will last three months and take place at the Sheffield branch in Pinstone Street. The app is
currently only available on the Apple iOS platform.
Intel to publish software behind Professor Stephen Hawking’s new computer
system
Intel is releasing a new open-source communication software package that was originally
created for astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking. It hopes that other researchers and
technologists will adapt the technology to help other disabled people with similar needs. The
system is called ACAT (Assistive Context Aware Toolkit) and is the product of three years of
collaboration between Intel and Professor Hawking. Professor Hawking asked for Intel’s
assistance as his deteriorating condition made it gradually more difficult to operate his
existing communication system, causing him to make more errors when typing and slowing
his typing speed. The older system comprised of a keyboard on the screen with basic word
prediction software which Professor Hawking controlled using an infra-red switch mounted to
his glasses which detected movement in his cheek.
Intel developed new software which would predict Professor Hawking’s next word based on
his intentions – teaching the software his writing style by populating its dictionary with
documents previously authored by the Professor – rather than his actual output, thus
reducing its sensitivity to accidental selections. The system incorporates software created
by a London start-up called SwiftKey. It allows the user to immediately select a word after
typing a letter without having to navigate the entire interface to select a word from a list. In
addition to helping with typing, Professor Hawking’s new system includes a collection of
contextual menus that provide shortcuts that help him to undertake common tasks such as
navigating the internet, emails and documents. With these improvements, Professor
Hawking’s typing speed has reportedly doubled while common tasks are ten times faster
than before.
The MotionSavvy UNI tablet translates sign language into text
A new tablet computer system that is able to understandsign language, gestures and display
signed words on its screen as texthas been developed by a company called MotionSavvy.
The UNI tablet comes equipped with a Leap Motion devicewhose in-built cameras detect the
movement of signers’ hands and translate them into text. This enables those who rely on
sign languageto communicatewith non-signers. Although the UNI tablet will initially only
support American Sign Language, it will include a feature to allow users to teach the device
new signs and share them over an online library which may grow quickly in time. Another
potential drawback is that users will need to purchase the UNI and the Leap Motion
hardware, increasing its cost. The MotionSavvy UNI tablet is expected to be released in
early 2015 and sell for over $500. It is likely to have a monthly subscription fee to help
maintain the online sharing features.
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Other stories:
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Free update for The Grid 2 offers over 3700 new symbols
Interview with Senior Disability Manager at Lloyds Banking Group explores how and
why the company came to adopt accessible practices for its online services and
projects
Five Ways to Use a Computer Hands-Free
Israeli assistive technology charity BeitIssie Shapiro’s staff recommend their favourite
apps
Media Access Australia reviews some accessible digital technology highlights of
2014
AbleGamers rounds up 2014’s most (and least) accessible video games and gaming
equipment for Gamers with Disabilities
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3. Training and Professional Development Opportunities
Housing Learning and Improvement Network Extra Care Housing Annual
Conference
The Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) has announced the programme for
its fourth Extra Care Housing Annual Conference. The programme is entitled Housing for
Older People: A Festival of Ideas. It includes a day of talks, panels and networking sessions
on different aspects of housing for older people. After an introduction delivered by the BBC’s
Shaun Ley, there will be a number of thematic talks on housing from the perspective of
policymakers, economists and providers. The conference is taking place on Tuesday 17th
February 2015 in London. Admission costs £250 + VAT per head.
Breaking the Bubble musical engagement courses
Arts Council England and the Department for Education are supporting the Breaking the
Bubble project, a collaboration between music charities based in Surrey, Kent and Brighton
and Hove to encourage musical engagement with young people with disabilities. They are
hosting a series of workshops between January and March aimed at teachers and others
who work with young people with physical and learning disabilities. It is designed to show
participants how to use modern music hardware and software packages to stimulate their
creativity.
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4. Funding News
The Alan & Thomas Insurance Group launches dedicated charity website
The Alan & Thomas Insurance Group has developed a dedicated website for charities and
voluntary groups in the UK detailing the different types of insurance cover available to these
organisations. In addition to standard business cover such as public liability, computers,
professional indemnity and group travel, it provides advice on charity-specific insurance
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packages such as trustees’ and directors’ indemnity.The website can be used to request a
quote. It also offers free online services relating to risk management and issues such as
health and safety, and the everyday running of their organisation.
The Technology Trust gives charities cut-priceaccess to leading technology
companies
The Technology Trust aims to help third sector organisations in the UK to exploit the latest
technology by providing discounted access to a host of technology firms and their services
and products. Assistance is available in a range of areas including software, digital finance,
communications and internal computer networking and security. Participating companies
include major technology firms such as Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Adobe and Skype.
Charities are required to play a nominal administrative fee when they submit a donation
request. However, eligible charities typically receive a saving of 92-96% on retail prices
when acquiring a product or service through the trust.
NCVO blogs guide to the ESIF 2014-2020 Programme
The National Council of Voluntary Organisations has published a charities’ guide to the new
European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) 2014-2020 Programmewhich commences
this year. The European Social Fund which supports the programme is intended to support
people to become more employable and enter the labour market. The programme for 20142020 focuses on skills, employment and social inclusion. New rules stipulate that at least
20% of the European Social Fund is allocated to activities that promote social inclusion and
tackle poverty, providing around £500 million of investments in England targeted at
supporting disadvantaged people and communities attempting to access the labour market.
Funding might go towards activities such as helping to build an individual’s confidence,
acquiring basic skills and providing work experience. The money is being distributed to
Local Enterprise Partnerships, most of whom have opted to participate in the Big Lottery
Fund’s Building Better Opportunities Programme.
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