Abilitynet

"Tech accessibility is more than just helping people to overcome barriers to communication. The improved understanding... has the biggest and most positive impact on the lives not just of people with disabilities but entire communities too."
Check out this Guardian Labs eye-opening article, highlighting the role of #AssistiveTechnology in creating a world we at AbilityNet work towards- one which is digitally and physically #accessible and #inclusive for all.
Visit our webiste for more on the services we provide to make it a reality, from free IT support at home, to expert factsheets, webinars, accessibility training and more: https://abilitynet.org.uk/

The transition into university means different things to different students. Whilst new-found independence is exciting, it can also be overwhelming.
Did you know that as much as 87% of UK university students rely on apps to help them?
We’ve created an #accessible university app starter pack for focus, note-taking, organisation and wellbeing. Why not get ahead of the game and try them out over the summer? Microsoft Forest UCAS
... 👉To discover more great apps sign up for our #Inclusive tech webinar now! https://bit.ly/2QKuINq 👈
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"I’m really proud that I can have such a positive influence on other young people and be part of a young coding community that is built on #diversity, #Inclusion and respect for everyone.”
To celebrate #TourettesAwarenessDay we caught up with Femi, our 2016 AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards BT Young Pioneer finalist, and his mother Grace to see what they’ve been up to since…and it’s pretty impressive stuff!
Pioneering inclusivity through sharing his passion for #accessible coding with his own Tourette's Syndrome community when he was just 10 years old already makes Femi exceptional, but he hasn't stopped there...

“I am now integrated into the 21st century….I wish to acknowledge my heartfelt gratitude to AbilityNet’s ITCanHelp volunteer services and to Malcolm in particular His help has greatly enhanced my quality of life in retirement”
We want to say a big thank you to our ITCanHelp #volunteers, who are invaluable to our vision of creating a world in which digital services are #accessible to all. Do you have IT skills you'd like to use to help others achieve their goals?
Find out more... about becoming an AbilityNet volunteer at: https://abilitynet.org.uk/at-home/join-ou r-volunteers #VolunteersWeek #technology
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Do you work for an education service provider in a student-facing role? Are you a Disability Adviser, a member of university library or study skills staff?
We provide some great free services and resources to support institutions in creating an #inclusive learning environment for all students. Check out the link below for information on:
👉 Disabled Students' Allowance services and our Claim It DSA campaign... 👉 Inclusive tech for education events 👉 Expert webinars such as 'Free Training on Inclusive Technology for Students': https://bit.ly/2QKuINq 👉Expert factsheets on #accessible technology
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This looks like a great idea.

"Recent additions to the smartspeaker toolkit, enabling products of all shapes and sizes to suddenly become smart, are set to revolutionise access for people with disabilities - oh, and it'll mean that everyone else can save themselves from a lot of boring button-pushing, tiresome screen-tapping and unnecessary knob-fiddling too."
Are you excited and intrigued by a smarter, more connected future? Check out our blog below to discover the striking developments taking place in mainstream #accessibility and #inclusivity!
#Alexa #AssisitveTechnology

Stress and consequent fatigue has been found to “bog down the brain” and affect memory. Considering a YouGov survey revealed 63% of students feel levels of #stress that interfere with their day to day lives that could be a staggering number of young people having difficulty organising, planning and prioritising.
Handy note-taking apps like Google Keep are full of life-hacks for helping students stay on top of their studies..learn about more FREE apps like this one on our upcoming webinar on #inclusive technology for students!
Register now to be emailed the recording: https://bit.ly/2QKuINq #AssistiveTechnology #university

Did you know there are FREE apps to help with note-taking? Focus? Organisation?
Sign up for our ‘Free Training on #Inclusive Technology for Students’ webinar to discover an amazing range of apps for helping you succeed in your studies.
Register now! If you are unable to attend live you will be emailed the recording: https://bit.ly/2KkkMsY
... #AssistiveTechnology #StudentTech #webinar
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"I would strongly encourage any disabled person who has some technical skills to consider volunteering – there is a high degree of #empathy involved and having worked through a disability and understanding how #technology can help is a big advantage"
As #VolunteersWeek continues we're celebrating the diversity of our dedicated ITCanHelp volunteers. During a recent catch up with volunteer Iain he filled us in on how his own hearing impairment informs his experience helping others with their technology....
The free IT support at home our volunteers provide is invaluable to our vision to create a world in which digital services are #accessible to all. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/2Isa3dF

“Whenever I had a problem or the computer crashed he was there to help and he truly appreciates that computer access is my link to the outside world, my independence and a key contributor to my psychological and emotional wellbeing”- Belinda Sidebotham
Our volunteers provide free IT support at home to older and disabled people of any age, helping to resolve a range of challenges and open up an #accessible world of possibilities.
Do you need help with your technology? Call us on 0800 269 545 during UK office hours or email us at enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk. #Volunteering #VolunteersWeek

Hearing-Impaired students, do you find that at your university the implementation of pro-active adjustments such as lecture capture, subtitles and hearing loops are not consistent?
To help you gain greater control over your learning experience we're sharing our favourite FREE and #accessible live transcription apps!
Hack #2- Have both live discussions and recorded audio transcribed, with multiple speakers automatically identified in Otter Voice Notes! Discover more at: https:...//bit.ly/2Wc4nhq
👉Sign up for our free webinar on #inclusive technology for students to discover more free tech solutions to see you through your studies! https://bit.ly/2QHRzt0 👈
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If you ever wonder how technology supports students achieve, just have a look at this article from The Guardian and see how tech breaks down the barriers for lots of students. https://www.theguardian.com/…/it-remove s-stigma-how-tech-br…

It's #VolunteersWeek! Meet AbilityNet volunteer Myles and his client Maggie, a writer with macular wet degeneration. With the tech solutions Myles has put in place, Maggie is able to continue her work with confidence!
Maggie tells us "It's the personal approach that is so helpful. It's to help me go on being me."
We’re proud to have such a dedicated, hard-working and friendly network of volunteers who provide free IT support at home to help older and disabled people use techn...ology to achieve their goals.
Find out more about our volunteering service at: https://bit.ly/2Xo2zhJ
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Google is doing some exciting things to make communication and human interaction more universally #accessible for disabled people, using automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech technology. Check them out below!

Do you work closely with students as a Disability Service Adviser or member of university library staff? Do you have a professional interest in #AssistiveTechnology?
Sign up for our 'Free Training on Inclusive Technology for Students' webinar to find out about the FREE and low-cost #apps available for supporting students in overcoming common barriers to learning.
Register now! Those who are unable to attend live will be emailed the recording: https://bit.ly/2KcSKQ1

Hearing-Impaired students, do you find that at your university the implementation of pro-active adjustments such as lecture capture, subtitles and hearing loops are not consistent?
To help you gain greater control over your learning experience we're sharing our favourite FREE and #accessible live transcription apps!
Hack #1- Translate spontaneous conversations or participate in group discussions captioned in your preferred language on your screen with Microsoft Live Translator! Read the full blog to find out more! https://bit.ly/2Wc4nhq #AssistiveTechnology