Information availability in AT

Current AT Products

If you are looking for current products, there are a number of organisations who provide credible independent information on AT [external links]:

• Disabled Living Foundation (information on wide range of available AT)
• ACE Centre (AT for communication support)
• ATDementia (AT for dementia)
• TechDis (access to IT)
• Emptech (access to IT)
• Ricability (user AT reviews and advice)
• RNIB shop (AT for people with a vision impairment)
• RNID shop (AT for people with a hearing impairment)
• Assist UK (local centres for AT advice)
• AbilityNet (advice on how to access IT) 
• National Centre for Independent Living (supporting independence)
• Inclusion (supporting learning needs with advice and links to further information)

Information is the first step towards empowerment and information provision is a good indicator of the level of support offered to individuals to self manage and direct care. 

• a greater take up of AT solutions,
• earlier take up of AT solutions,
• a better fit of AT within the care package,
• more appropriate use of the resources of professional and specialist services.  

The Department of Health are currently funding a three-year project (April 2008-March 2011), led by the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), who are working with FAST, Ricability and Assist UK to look at potential improvements to information provision about assistive technology.

There is also work underway to establish guidance and accreditation for information provision by health and social care information providers. A number of voluntary sector organisations, including the Disabled Living Foundation, are undertaking a pilot project to establish an Information Standard. More information can be found here [external link].

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