Assistive Technology
Access to technology
Using different technologies, including the internet, can be a great way for people to learn about and take part in activities that interest them.
Take a look at our Learning Disability Technology Strategy here.
However, a large number of people with learning disabilities and their families feel ‘digitally excluded’. This means that people haven’t got the equipment and/or the skills required to use different technologies, including making sure they can stay safe.
Digital Communities Wales offers lots of guidance, support and training to individuals, groups and organisations across North Wales about digital inclusion and staying safe online.
These are the Digital Communities team members for each area in North Wales:
Linzi Jones
Flintshire / Wrexham
linzi.jones@wales.coop
Lon Moseley
Denbighshire / Ynys Mon
lon.moseley@wales.coop
Simon Jones
Conwy / Gwynedd
simon.jones@wales.coop
Technology Enabled Care
In March 2020, Paul Mazurek, Lead Officer for Assistive Technology attended the Learning Disability Wales Event ‘Support for Living in the 21st Century’, view the presentation by clicking here.
To see the other presentations, click here.
Projecting Skills and Well being
Tyddyn Môn, a charity supporting adults with a learning disability on Anglesey, received a grant earlier this year from the North Wales Together: Seamless Services for people with Learning Disabilities team for their project “Projecting Skills and Well being”.
At the heart of the project is an innovative and award winning piece of mobile projection equipment (OmiVista Mobi +) that uses motion activated games, music and social activities to increase social interaction, physical activity and wellbeing. The app’s available on the system are unique because of their accessibility for people with differing abilities. The system responds to movement and anyone can interact with the system including those with limited movement. The app’s can be projected onto any flat surface (floor, table, bed) making it particularly accessible by adults with learning and physical disabilities in all home and day settings. .
Michelle Freeman CEO of Tyddyn Môn said “The equipment was purchased to use in our Supported Living houses and on the charity farm in Day Opportunities. Little did we realise how much the world would change after we received the grant and how the project would help with the effects of the pandemic lockdown. Many of the people we support have had an opportunity to enjoy using the equipment and with over 200 apps there is something for everyone from artistic games, energetic games and knowledge based activities. “
Want to try the projector yourself? Contact Paul Mazurek or Sioned Williams to arrange a free trial.
Click here and send us a message using the contact us form.
Using technology to keep in touch
There are lots of ways we can use technology to help us keep in touch with people and organisations. The coronavirus outbreak has meant we have had to learn how to use the internet to shop, bank and communicate with each other. Ace Anglia (an independent advocacy organisation in suffolk) have developed some easy read guides to help with accessing things like Zoom, an online video conferencing service, what’s app video, etc. Follow this link for a guide on staying safe online.
Learn my Way – learn how to use the internet
Learn My Way is a website of free online courses, built by the Good Things Foundation, to help people develop their digital skills.
The website contains over 30 free courses designed to help beginners get started with the online basics – using a mouse, keyboard, setting up email accounts and using internet search engines – while also offering plenty to help people develop their digital skills further. There are modules to help people make video calls, socialise online and shop online.
Please signpost people to these useful resources. You could even work through the modules with them over the phone if they need support
Please follow link: https://www.learnmyway.com
Digital Communities Wales (DCW)
Information on DCW is already on the website, this is just an update linked to Covid19.
Please follow link to this update and also for further resources available from DCW – https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/covid-19