Network Development Co-ordinator’s Update

Hello Everyone and welcome to our Autumn newsletter!

The Karten team has had a wonderful few weeks at the beginning of the new academic year.  It really feels as though life is starting to get closer to normal.  Recently we have enjoyed visits to a number of Karten Centres for different reasons: to see equipment that was funded by the Ian Karten Charitable Trust either just before or during the pandemic; to visit new Karten Centres for the very first time; the Nuvoic team have been supporting participants to use Voiceitt within their own environments (either living or education).  The input of our team has been well received and we are here to help, so if you would welcome support please get in touch.  All our contact details are at the end of the newsletter.

Remote working and support has been invaluable during the pandemic, and has many benefits, but in some circumstances you just can’t beat being in the same room as the people you are working with.  There are certainly efficiencies and flexibility associated with remote practices and the significant acquisition of digital skills by staff over the last 18 months must be good news.  As we move out of the pandemic it is important that these developments and improvements in digital capability are consolidated and sustained.  We are keen to know your plans for the people you support, your workforce and your digital infrastructure.  How have things changed for your organisation moving forwards?  What aspects of remote practice will you retain?  What will you be pleased to see go? What implications does this have for your organisation longer term?  Are there unanticipated benefits and business opportunities that can now be harnessed? I would value the opportunity to discuss these and other things with Karten Centre leads.  Importantly, emerging themes will help me to prioritise and appropriately focus Karten support so that we are maximising impact across the sectors we support.  If you have the capacity for a 15 minute conversation please drop me an email.

Enjoy reading the newsletter and if you are about to have a half-term Autumn break I hope you have a truly fabulous time.

Best wishes,
Dawn

Karten Network and Development Co-ordinator

Nuvoic Project

Now almost 18 months into the Nuvoic Project we’re starting to see some great outcomes, both in terms of participants using the Voiceitt app to do more things more independently, and also some new developments in the user interface and app performance, in response to participants’ feedback.

The project is led by developers Voiceitt and aims to improve access to voice recognition technologies for people who have dysarthric speech. The Karten Network team leads on user testing, supporting people with non-standard speech to try the app for support with communication or Smart Home control, and give feedback on what works well and what could be improved.

Updates

We now have over 60 participants enrolled in the project, and we’re delighted to welcome new participants from Leonard Cheshire, Leuchie House in Scotland and Linkage College who join those already involved from Beaumont College, Caritas St. Joseph’s, Cedar Foundation, Enable Ireland, FitzRoy, The Grange Centre, Homefield College, National Star, New Bridge Horizons, The Oaks College, Portland College, SeeAbility, St John’s College and Young Epilepsy.

As Covid-19 restrictions have eased, more participants have been using Voiceitt to support communication out-and-about: to socialise, order food and drink in a café or to use public transport, for example. (Our team has also been able to get out and visit participants in person, which has been great!) We also have...Continue reading about the Nuvoic Project

Get in touch!

We would love to hear from you if you, or someone you know may be interested in taking part in testing and/or voice sampling. Please email our project co-ordinator: liz@karten-network.org.uk, or you can find more information and get in touch via our project web pages.

Update from Technology Advisor

In my previous newsletter article, I mentioned that Apple announced the latest versions of their mobile operating systems (iOS15 and iPadOS 15), highlighting some of the new features.  With iOS15 and iPadOS 15 now available, I thought it would be fitting to provide some tips on how to better use the mobile devices running this operating system.

There are a vast array of features and countless ways of accessing and using an iPhone or iPad effectively - too many to fit into just one article. However, I hope you will find these twelve tips useful. Read the OS15 and iPadOS 15 tips now...

Should you require support or have a question please feel free to contact me.

Lastly, if you would like to have a particular topic covered in the next newsletter, please let me know.

Martin Pistorius
Karten Network Technology Advisor

Talent and Technology: building bridges to employment for disabled people

Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology (APPGAT) launched their report Talent and Technology: building bridges to employment for disabled people on 15 July.

This report details the role of technology in the experiences of disabled people transitioning into the workforce and makes recommendations for how the UK, already a world-leader in the development of assistive technologies, can harness the power of these tools and inclusive practices to make the world of work accessible to all.

The research leading to this report was conducted by Policy Connect on behalf of the APPGAT, and its author Geena Vabulas is a Karten Network Nuvoic Project Technologist and a member of Policy Connect’s Health and Accessibility Team.  The inquiry was sponsored by City Bridge Trust and the Ian Karten Charitable Trust.

Read the report

Download the Talent and Technology report

View the online version on the Policy Connect website

Livability Victoria School's Vibe Radio

In the Summer Nash College’s AV-technologist (Alexander), and Livability Victoria School’s radio producer (Tony) in Poole have joined forces to create a couple of college radio programmes.

In the two produced pilot programmes some of Nash’s communication devices are integrated to present the work, these VOCAs (Voice Output Computer Aids) assist our non-verbal students to express themselves and join communication. The two produced podcasts (of about 30 minutes each) feature music and showcase not only our students’ talents and the advanced technology that we use at Nash, but these also document some of our work, and allow the listener to eavesdrop in on some of the sessions at our college.

Read about more about VIBE radio and listen to three of the shows...

News from the Karten Centres

Jewish Care

Ageing hands

by Jennifer Ohrenstein, the digital skill tutor

As we get older our bodies go through inevitable changes and some daily tasks can become harder to perform. For some people this includes the use of hand-held devices and a perhaps laptop and desktop technology too. Even older people who are well-versed in home technology may suddenly find their devices becoming more difficult to use as their physical needs change.

Visual or cognitive impairment can be considered the dominating factors that contribute to difficulties when using devices, but it is the deterioration in the use of aspects of one’s hands that can be a true obstacle – both to hold and to function. Osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s Disease can cause such impairments and lead to the loss of a strong grip, painful wrists (arthritis), compromised tactile actions and overall deterioration in dexterity thus make the use of handheld devices particularly difficult.

Fortunately, over the years mobile phone manufacturers have...Continue reading ageing hands

SeeAbility

Ready, Willing and Able

SeeAbility launched our Supported Employment programme because we know that around 65% of people with learning disabilities and sight loss want meaningful careers but only 6% are in paid employment.

We support people to realise their full potential and move into work. Fulfilling career ambitions is a hugely important part of this.

We draw on over 220 years of experience to support people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with sight loss, helping them achieve extraordinary things and crucially, to realise their ambitions around paid employment. At the heart of Ready, Willing and Able is inclusion, with the person always at the centre of the programme. The programme also gives employers the opportunity to recruit enthusiastic and talented individuals who will become valued employees.

We have developed a central hub of information for both participants and employers to find out all about the RWA programme, pioneering new accessibility options not commonly seen on other websites, such as easy read online content.

We also have...Continue reading about Ready, Willing and Able

The Meath

Recognising Ability – an IT Suite case study: John

John lives on site at The Meath and while he enjoys the variety of activities on offer at our dedicated Skills Centre, he has a natural leaning towards and interest in IT. He is fascinated by how things work and has huge capacity for finding out more about topics of interest, having spoken to John it is apparent that using the Skills Centre IT suite is a huge source of life enrichment. While John is happy to celebrate success made at the gym, he gains much of his sense of purpose and achievement from his progress in IT sessions which combine research, literacy, communication, design, and IT skills. The process of working on these projects helps him to maintain cognitive function, while typing helps to maintain his fine motor skills. John uses standard equipment and Microsoft word. He can work from a regular keyboard and screen; we support clients with a broad range of abilities and needs and many of our less able users require larger keyboards to work from in addition to specialist software, for clients who are visually impaired.

John has carefully and methodically been supported to produce three detailed research ‘how it works’ topic books on subjects of his choosing, these are: the Honda Car, the Television and the Denis bus (both motorised and electric). John’s research was enhanced by visits to Brooklands transport museum (home to the national bus museum) and even...Continue reading about the IT Suite case study

A word of thanks, from John

Treloar College

TreloarPrint Karten Centre – 20th Anniversary

TreloarPrint, the original Ian Karten Centre at Treloar College was set up in September 2001 thanks to generous funding from the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, to provide a real working environment for students. Since then, the enterprise has gone from strength to strength delivering 2,000 jobs per year, employing former students and supporting many others into work outside Treloar’s.

TreloarPrint can provide all manner of printed products, support with mail shots where appropriate and design artwork. Over the last 20 years the enterprise has amassed a strong supporter base and a great reputation with many clients working with them since the beginning.

“I have enjoyed using Treloar Print for many years as they are absolutely first class in not only the quality of print but in service from both the print technicians and the students that work there. Everyone is incredibly helpful and friendly.” Kate Davis

As well as providing a high quality print and design service, TreloarPrint...Continue reading about TreloarPrint Karten Centre's 20th Anniversary

ESPA College

Celebrating new sensory room

ESPA College opened in 1995 and has four college sites across the North East, providing day and residential education for young autistic people between the ages of 16 and 25 years. The majority of students have additional and complex needs including learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health conditions, behaviours that challenge and sensory issues. 

Their South Hill site, located in Sunderland, provides personalised learning programmes to autistic and neurodiverse individuals, some with moderate to profound learning disabilities.  

Over the summer of 2021, ESPA College South Hill was granted funding and official Karten Centre status and saw the successful installation of a brand-new Sensory Room.  

Sensory needs of students can be a barrier to their education, and as everyone deserves...Continue reading about the new sensory room

Langdon College

Langdon College Prints on the ‘Etsy’ marketplace

This year Langdon College has launched Langdon College Prints on the ‘Etsy’ marketplace. This is an online shopping platform where we will be selling our enterprise products UK wide.

Previously learners were making and selling items at local stalls/events but sadly due to Covid this all had to stop. This new way of working will provide learners with a work placement whilst providing an opportunity to develop a higher level of skills in ICT and business.

Currently the Etsy Shop sells our core range of products but the learners are in the process...Continue reading about Langdon College Prints on the ‘Etsy’ marketplace

MSc EduAT fee scholarship programme launched

About MSc Educational Assistive Technology (EduAT)

• The MSc EduAT at the University of Dundee is now accepting applications for the January 2022 intake.
• The closing date for applications for the January 2022 start, part time route of MSc EduAT is 17 December 2021 at 23:59 (UK time).

This course is primarily for teachers, therapists and technologists who are seeking to develop and enhance their ability to support learners who require AT. It will equip you with the skills, knowledge and working methodology needed to practise as an educational assistive technologist. Assistive Technology (AT) supports students with a broad range of learning difficulties, physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments. These range from high incidence, lower impact disabilities (for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia) through to low incidence, higher impact disabilities (for example, cerebral palsy, autism). This course has been developed to address a global need for the professionalisation of the ‘Assistive Technologist’ role within all levels of education provision.

About the MSc EduAT Scholarship

The School of Science and Engineering have created a dedicated MSc EduAT scholarship. This is a full fee scholarship for the two-year, part-time programme only. The programme team have worked with a small number of volunteers from the independent MSc EduAT advisory group to develop the eligibility criteria and selection method for the scholarship. The University are now able to offer a small number of full fee scholarships through this programme. The scholarship may be applied for by those considering the January 2022 intake.

Read more about the MSc EduAT, the fee scholarship programme and how to apply...

Events

TechAbility Conference 2021

The TechAbility Conference is always focussed on assistive technology practice which makes a difference for people with disabilities.  This year the conference is online and Karten members receive a significant discount on the attendance fee.  What’s more, one fee will cover multiple attendees from your organisation.

You can expect to hear first-hand experience of assistive technology use, alongside a real “back to basics” focus on how it can overcome barriers. You will leave with a greater focus and understanding, led by the best practitioners in the field and carefully curated to keep sessions lively and relevant.

The interactive keynote  will be especially interesting to Karten Centres, focussing on the role of technology for disabled people in care settings. Julie Eshleman from Leonard Cheshire is researching meaningful technology use and would like the people you support in Karten Centres to come along to her keynote session and share their opinions.

Other highlight sessions include:

• How disabled people and carers/PAs use virtual assistants
• The difference the right AT can make
• Developing your own apps
• The right technology supporting the learning journey

The full programme is available on the TechAbility website where you can also book your place.

For any questions please contact techability@natspec.org.uk

Keeping in touch

You can keep up to date with the activities of the Karten Network in a number of ways:
 
Karten Network website – www.karten-network.org.uk
 
Jiscmail - are you signed up to the jiscmail distribution list?  Let Dawn know (dawn@karten-network.org.uk) if you would like any other members of staff adding to this email group
 
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter – search for Karten Network
 

Contact us

Dawn Green:   dawn@karten-network.org.uk     Tel 07821 723941

Debbie Ben-Tal:   debbie@karten-network.org.uk

Liz Howarth:    liz@karten-network.org.uk     Tel 07536 987077

Martin Pistorius:   martin@karten-network.org.uk

Inés Meza-Mitcher:    ines@iankartencharitabletrust.org.uk