A new online training course on personalised technology has recently been launched by Hft, a national charity that supports adults with learning disabilities.
Personalised technology (PT), also known as assistive technology, allows people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable groups to live with a greater level of independence in a safe manner.
Emma Nichols, Personalised Technology Manager at Hft said they chose the name “personalised technology” because “the person is always at the centre of what we do: we focus on their abilities, not their disabilities.”
PT products vary greatly, from kettles which only dispense a precise amount of boiling water into a mug, to sensors that send an alert out when someone is having a seizure. There are also easy-to-use mobile phones and tablets on offer, which have helped to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The virtual training course covers all aspects of PT in six parts, from uses and implementation to maintenance and ethical considerations, using video case studies and quizzes throughout.
The training is based on the charity’s internal e-learning package and is available to both individuals and organisations who are interested in gaining an awareness of how PT can be used to increase the independence, safety, privacy, and choice for people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
Those who successfully complete the training will be issued with a certificate and will have access to resources that help prompt learners to think about how to successfully implement PT within their service.
Ms Nichols added: “Technology doesn’t have to be complicated, we seek to find simple but effective solutions. The positive impact that it can have became even more apparent during the pandemic, when PT played a vital role in helping loved ones stay connected. Our aim is to raise awareness of the assistive devices available which can give people a greater level of independence, choice, and control in their lives”
If you are interested in the course or want to find out more, please email [email protected] or call 0117 906 1700.
