Sponsored by Microsoft and AbilityNet
This Award is open to any UK-based individual, business, charity or public body who can show how they are using some form of digital technology to help an individual or groups of people to overcome their disabilities.
Your entry must identify:
* The nature of the disability that it addresses;
* How digital technology or assistive technology has been used to address the issue;
* The impact that has made on the lives of people with disabilities;
* How the lessons learned in developing this solution can be shared with others.
WINNER 2012
LexAble
LexAble and Global AutoCorrect is the brainchild of Neil Cottrell, a 24-year-old graduate who is severely dyslexic and initially developed the software to overcome his own difficulties.
It automatically corrects the user’s spelling as they type in any program, and means
they can use the words they want, rather than constantly downgrading their language to words they can spell. This helps them regain confidence in their own work and thousands of people with dyslexia around the world now benefit from Neil’s innovation.
FINALISTS
Panasonic Corporation
People love to watch television and this applies to people with sight loss as much as any other group in society.
Panasonic’s new range of TVs have a new feature, known as ‘Voice Guidance’. Designed with the help of the RNIB it works by announcing on-screen information with synthetic speech giving clear instructions on how to navigate round the TV’s menus and the electronic programme guide.
It makes the TV easier to use for people with sight loss but anyone who has difficulty reading or operating on-screen menus will benefit as well.
Therapy Box Ltd
Therapy Box has developed a range of of apps and accessories to support people with communication disabilities. This includes a text-to-speech app and a ground-breaking communication app called Scene & Heard that allows users to click hotspots to communicate.
The apps are designed and priced to be affordable but still offer features that are comparable with , more expensive high tech solutions.
Therapy Box team also provide training to therapists, carers and professionals to improve the support and advice they provide to their clients.
BSkyB
BSkyB seeks to support its customers with a wide range of disabilities including those with visual impairments, hearing loss and physical disabilities.
It has embedded accessibility across its business and every level of customers’ experience including the products in their homes and the support they receive from Sky engineers and customer centres.
They have also developed assistive technology such as the Sky Talker that vocalises parts of the electronic programme guide for those with sight-loss and an Easy-Grip remote control for those with physical disabilities.
