Finding Appropriate Solutions
and Changing Lives

we recognise the benefit of technology in everyday life.

We rely on technology for everything from communication to travel, from managing our lives and homes to being entertained. Of course, this is the case whether or not we have a disability. However, for someone with a disability there may be other considerations, whether the technology is accessible and whether, once accessed, it can be useful.

So, a smartphone can make an excellent memory aid. But how do you access it if you can’t see very well, or at all? Amazon Echo is a great device for playing music, controlling the environment, accessing news. You just ask it questions, tell it to do something. But if you can’t speak- how to communicate with it?

we are always client centred.

At Steve Wiseman Associates we find ways of getting technology to work for those with a wide range of disabilities. It may be that mainstream tech, such as the Amazon Echo will work for a person, or they may need something more bespoke. Either way we can advise and support them in learning to use it.  When deciding what is the best solution, we first get to know what is important to them; what are their aspirations, their interests etc.  Finding something that is meaningful can be a huge motivating factor.  We then consider the individual’s cognitive and motor abilities, their previous experience of technology and those around them who may need to support the person using the technology.   If we don’t feel that technology is the best solution we would advise this also.

we are goal focused.

Through years of experience, we have learned the vital role that technology also has in rehabilitation.  As a team of professionals, most of our work has a rehabilitation focus.  As part of our interventions we set clear, client centred, rehabilitation goals so we can evidence progress.  We frequently work alongside a wider team such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and physiotherapists.  Team working is very important to us and so we always ensure that both our goals and the equipment we may recommend fit with what the wider team is wanting to achieve.  It is very rare that we work in isolation.

we are experts in ensuring the technology works for the client.

Understanding the goals of the client and their cognitive and motor abilities is a starting point for us.  Our skills of working with a range of illnesses and disabilities allow us to adapt/alter/grade technology on an individual basis to help the client do what they want to do.  Sometimes this can be as simple as developing an awareness of cause and effect.  

More and more, technology is helping promote independence in a person’s environment.  We also work closely with architects, builders and specialist electronic companies to ensure that environmental controls are fit for purpose and the client can, or has the potential, to use them.  Controlling their own environment can be a huge motivator for an individual  and so we often include the grading of this as part of an overall rehabilitation programme and not just a solution to open doors and windows etc. The client’s needs, abilities and desires are always at the centre of what we do and we actively promote a functional but attractive solution to environmental controls, where possible.