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Links and suppliers
No point in reinventing the wheel...
By far the most comprehensive listing of websites and services in this field within the UK can be found at www.checkthemap.org
But failing that...
1 Voice is a support network for families involved with communication aids and it welcomes children, families and anyone interested in AAC.
This is the sister centre to the ACE Centre situated in Oldham. They carry out assessments and deliver training on communication and writing aids for school and further/higher education.
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
The other ACE in the UK (no relation). They are an independent advice centre for parents offering information and support about education for 5-16 year olds.
AbilityNet is a charity that brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with disabilities. They have centres and/or representatives across the UK.
Advisory Unit for Computers in Education
An independent organisation offering IT services and educational software to schools. Their objective is to provide a comprehensive service to help teachers use computers effectively.
Afasic is the UK charity representing children and young adults with communication impairments, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers.
The aim of the Aidis Trust is to provide specialised computer equipment to people with disabilities, of all ages, to aid their communication. This is done throughout Britain and is achieved through charitably-raised funding. Equipment is purchased by the charity specifically for an individual and tailored to meet their needs.
Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) is a Government-funded agency who work to ensure that ICT supports the Government's efforts to drive up standards in curriculum subjects, in the teaching of key skills, in institutional effectiveness, and in the development of lifelong learning.
Better Living Through Technology
An excellent source of advice, reviews and resources for those involved in AAC and special needs. Formerly www.senit.org
A registered national charity offering treatment to children and adults with brain injury, learning difficulties and neurological impairments. The treatment is based on a series of movement patterns specifically designed to provide neurological feedback to the brain with a view to promoting development and improving the quality of life for patients.
A non-profit making organisation that specialises in the treatment of cerebral palsy and acquired neurological conditions in children & adults, the training of postgraduate therapists and doctors in the Bobath approach, and carries out research into these conditions and the ways of mitigating their effects.
A host of useful resources for students, parents and teachers and others with dyslexia.
Information and resources on how technology can make a major impact on the education of children and people with disabilities or special educational and communication needs.
London-based centre providing support and advice on using information technology to improve the communication and learning of children and young people with physical disabilities.
A US-based organisation that focuses on computer technology for people with special needs through its bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference and extensive web site.
Communication Aids Centre (Frenchay Hospital)
Previously known as Bristol Assistive CAC, Frenchay CAC are a supra-regional assessment and resource centre for people with communication needs in the southwest region and beyond. Their service is primarily for the 11+ age range. Tel: 0117 975 3946
The Communications Forum is a registered charity set up in 1994 to bring together the organisations concerned with the needs of people with speech and language impairments.
Communication Matters is the UK chapter of ISAAC, the international society for augmentative and alternative communication.
The Communication Trust (of which the ACE Centre is a member) raises awareness of the importance of speech, language and communication across the children's workforce and to enable practitioners to access the best training and expertise to support the communication needs of all children. They work with over 35 voluntary and community groups who deliver services to help children communicate.
This organsation has information on over 1,000 rare syndromes and disorders and can put families in touch with each other.
An information and resource site for the hard of hearing.
A US-based organisation whose aim is to facilitate people with disabilities to network through technology. The site has information and internet references to sites, newsgroups and gophers with related information for a range of different impairment topics.
A charity at the forefront of developing assistive music technology.
FAST - Foundation for Assistive Technology
The Foundation for Assistive Technology is a charity created to raise the awareness of emerging technologies for disabled people. It promotes collaboration between users, NHS and other professional organisations and coordinates information regarding research and development for disability equipment in the UK .
A small Ashford-based charity the supports people with advice and help about communication aids. They have a small resource bank and links to suppliers. They also have experience of applying for funding of equipment.
The Handsel Trust promotes effective support in the UK for all children with disabilities and special needs and their families.
The Centre provides support services for people of all ages with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. HADC is a registered charity and raises money to maintain a Bursary Fund that is available to those who need help with Centre's fees. Bursaries can be used for most of the Centre's services, and are available to teachers on our training courses and schools in Partnership Schemes.
Advice and resources for use of IBM and compatible systems from big blue itself. The IBM support centre has been active for some years. Its UK equivalent, Computablity, is now independent.
I CAN works to support the development of speech, language and communication skills in all children with a special focus on those who find this hard: children with speech, language and communication needs.
Interconnections Electronic Bulletin
Interconnections is an independent service which focuses on children with complex needs and their families.
The inclusion database was launched in March 2000 and is a free, searchable catalogue of on-line resources for teachers, carers, health and education professionals in meeting individual needs.
Inclusive Technology's information pages
Although a commercial company, Inclusive have set aside a section of their site for pages giving practical advice to those who have an interest in special needs and information technology.
ISAAC (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is an organization devoted to advancing the field of Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC). Formed in 1983, ISAAC now has over 2,800 members in more than 50 countries.
MERU (Medical Engineering Resource Unit)
MERU concentrates on designing and manufacturing a variety of bespoke equipment and devices to meet the individual needs of disabled children (eg custom-built joysticks). They do this when there is no commercially available alternative.
Information about Autism and the work of the NAS. The pages contain details on education and care services, training, family support, fund raising and publications.
The National Association for Special Educational Needs. Although mainly involved in the infrastructure of special education, they organise exhibitions run seminars.
A resource of fun ideas and 'assistive technology', aimed at moderate to severely learning/physically disabled people. 'One switch' computer gaming a speciality.
The website of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
RNID is the largest charity representing the 8.7 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body for SLT's in the UK.
The website of the National Cerebral Palsy support charity.
The Special Toys Educational Postal Service is a voluntary-manned organisation that buys and adapts toys, selecting switches to the abilities of each child. Switches are sent by post on a long term loan with a specially adapted toy. The toy is changed every three months. They provide a FREE service to profoundly disabled children between the ages of 0 and 16 who are unable to play without assistive technology.
The only UK wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its Rehabilitation and Support Services.
Talking Mats is a low-tech communication framework involving sets of symbols. It was originally developed by The AAC (Alternative and Augmentive Communication) Research Unit to support people with communication impairment.
ICAN's communication forums and factsheets with an emphasis on providing help to parents and first-time enquirers.
Mike Blamires has many years of experience in the use of computers in special education both at Redbridge SEMERC and Christchurch college. He has put much of the information he has gathered on this site which is a wealth of useful data on a wide range of subjects and equipment.
A national service that provides support primarily for adults with acquired aphasia following a stroke.
Contains a range of assistive technology downloads, tutorials and resources.
Provides online access to government services and information including employment, financial support, rights, education and independent living.
Gary Derwent's microsite that neatly demonstrates the process of various switch scanning methods.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids (YAACK) is a US website that covers issues related to AAC and young children. Its purpose is to provide information and guidance to families, teachers, speech/language pathologists and anyone else who is involved with a child with special communication needs.
giving the gift of communication
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