NR Times caught up with the co-founder of access: technology north to find out its secret to getting people engaged with the tools they need to support them.
Around four years ago, when Mike Thrussell’s caseload of people with learning difficulties and disabilities needing support with assistive technologies began to grow, he went to his wife Kelly with a suggestion.
At first Kelly, who has a background in teaching, was unsure.
“I’ve worked with people with learning difficulties for years, and I’ve seen that other people’s experience with assistive technology hasn’t always been positive, so I wanted to approach this differently,” she says.
Mike asked her to help him create something to address the very issues which can put people off using these technologies.
“I recognised that assistive technology wasn’t always successful when it was implemented, andI was interested in why it wasn’t successful,” Kelly says.
“In the vast majority of cases, it wasn’t the capability of the technology itself, but how the user felt about using it or how well set up their support network was to enable them to use it.”
Kelly and Mike decided to set up access: technology north, an assistive technology consultancy service that would support clients with brain injuries within the medico-legal sector to promote independence in their home, school and workplace.
Kelly describes her role as the “people person”, while Mike is the “techy” one – a combination that works well together.
She says the aim was to shift the focus from being about the devices, to being about clients and their support network; to make people passionate about technology.
“A device or piece of software is nothing but potential energy until it has a user. Matching an individual’s need to the capability of a technology solution isn’t enough to guarantee a positive outcome, maximised independence or longevityof use” Kelly says.
The company works with families to determine the barriers that people with acquired brain injuries, physical disabilities and learning difficulties face and provide solutions using assistive technologies, working alongside other professionals, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, education consultants, neuropsychologists and behavioural specialists.
Where technology reports used in the medico-legal sector often have a focus on equipment, Kelly says access: technology is taking a different approach and making people the centre of their work.
Kelly says that one reason people, especially teenagers, who the company frequently work with, are not successful with assistive technology is because they do not have access to peer support or role models.
“We became aware that lots of young people were being given technology and communication aids that made them stand out and they didn’t see anyone else using them. Having something that makes you stand out makes it more challenging,” she says.
Kelly and Mike have since employed Alastair Haigh as their assistive technology ambassador. Al,who has cerebral palsy, was supported by access: technology to achieve his GCSEs and attend mainstream college, is now employed by them to help advise people on the best assistive technology devices and is exactly the kind of peer support and role model, Kelly says, that a lot of young people need to see.
Al says assistive technology has been a big part of his own life, and he is passionate about understanding technology so that it can make the most difference in his own life.
His aim is to apply his wide range of knowledge of technology to help others.
Being people-focused, Kelly says, is what makes the company stand out, and it is important to look at every case and situation individually to best enable independence.
“We cannot foresee what technology will be around in the next year, of five or 10 years’ time, so when working with young people and adults with acquired brain injuries, it’s best when they develop an interest and passion and aptitude for technology, not for a specific device, butto recognise that technology can make them more independent and they become excited and interested.
“We need to make sure the person’s support network is fully on board with what we’re doing and they understand how their technology works at home with the family, and at school with teachers and learning support staff.”
Most important, Kelly says, is making sure the person is engaged with their assistive technology.
“Sometimes when we meet people they’re not excited about using their technology.
“Sometimes they’re scared or worried they might break it so we have to track back and show them how use their technology for fun enabling them to have positive experience with it, then they can go onto things that are more outcome-orientated.”
Access: technology works with people who have had an injury as a result of medical negligence or personal injury, but Kelly and Mike are starting to get interest from families who do not have access to funds as a result of the legal process.
Kelly says they are in the early stages of setting up a charity to support those without a financial settlement.
The company helps people to control their home environment, such as operating blinds, switching on lights and opening doors.
It also works to enable access to gaming and entertainment, for example Mike created an accessible version of YouTube (accessyoutube.org.uk).
The primary focus of their role is going into schools and looking at how pupils can access the curriculum and how they might need support from technology to be more independent.
“A lot of schools have access to lots of equipment that maybe isn’t being used in the right way – sometimes, we can create huge change just by going in and offering training.”
They also get involved with Education, Health and Care Plan tribunals, and make recommendations for assistive technology where needs are not being met.
The company offers ongoing support until the client feels ready to manage independently using their technology.
“We take the view that technology is the great equaliser,” Kelly says.
“Every day in our work, we see our clients, enabled by their assistive technology, making the impossible possible. We see our clients access opportunity and achieve alongside their peers – and sometimes see them outperform them!”
Kelly says the biggest measure of success is setting people off on their own path to having a better relationship with assistive technology.
“Our hope is that we come on board, show people what’s possible and get them excited about it.
“The most successful families are the ones who get excited too – we want them to embrace technology and be at the forefront of it.Kelly says her and Mike’s jobs are gradually involving more mainstream equipment, as larger technology companies are starting to consider human neurodiversity in their developments.
“Accessibility features on many mainstream products are really improving, becoming more readily available and more affordable,” she says, “which is enabling equal opportunity, revolutionising not only the sector we work in but the ways in which human beings are able to live their lives and achieve their goals.”
For more information on access: technology north visit: accesstechnology.co.uk.
