The Assistive Technology Conference: Empowering Independence

Join us for the Assistive Technology Conference 2017 where leading experts will explain how ground-breaking innovations can close the disability employment gap to the benefit of both workers and employers. Get up close with the very latest assistive technology and learn how it can empower disabled people to be more independent and improve the quality of life for those with long term conditions. Expect to hear from some of the biggest names in Assistive Technology including Antony Ruck, chair of British Assistive Technology Association, Dr Peter Cudd, president of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe and Dr Abi James, chair of the British Dyslexia Association.

Topics covered on the day will include:

• How can AT be used to improve the lifestyles of disabled people and create equal opportunities?
• How can assistive technology (AT) be better integrated into the everyday lives of the people who need it?
• How can the benefits of AT be fully realised?
• What applications does AT have within healthcare, education, employment and recreation?
• How are advances in technology and artificial intelligence helping the visually impaired?
• What role can AT users play in the research, evaluation and improvement of AT?
• How can AT and accessible software help students overcome learning difficulties such as dyslexia?
• How can AT be better integrated with housing to support independence and assist people with care needs?
• What are the training and upskilling needs for those working to develop new AT?

Economic inactivity due to disability or ill health among working age adults costs the UK up to £100 billion a year. According to the charity Scope, investing in assistive technologies and helping one million more disabled people into work could boost the UK economy by up to £45 billion. Assistive technologies is a broad term covering everything from computer software for visually impaired user to advanced prosthetics. Aside from the economic benefits, these new developments can also remove the barriers preventing disabled children from achieving in school and help retired people maintain their independence into old age.