Talking technology hits the shelves

The ACE Centre has received £75k from the Department for Children, Schools and Families as a boost for their loan library of essential communication equipment.

By bringing these aids together under one roof, the disabled children that the ACE Centre assess are able to discover which one is best for them.

“A communication aid can typically cost upwards of £4000, but add to that the costs of training, add-ons and ongoing support, and it soon adds up well over £10,000” said Mark Saville, Information Officer at the centre. “It’s vital we offer the children, their parents and carers access to all the latest equipment so they can try before they buy. A communication aid can give a non-speaking child the gift of a voice, making a huge difference to their quality of life.”

A highlight of the library will be a range of communication aids that can be controlled simply by eye movement. “There’s virtually nowhere in the UK where all this eye-gaze equipment can be found in one place, let alone be available for independent trialling.” said Mark.

Dr Ben Jabuni, the Director of the ACE Centre Advisory Trust, welcomed the new funding. ”I am very pleased that the Department for Children, Schools and Families takes the needs of children with severe physical and communication disabilities very seriously. This funding will go a long way in helping us to carry out our assessments confident in the knowledge that that the young people coming through to us now and in the near future have access to the best possible equipment.”

Last updated: 30/03/09