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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
o s a ai o o oca e

e ene s o ssistve ec nolo

In a recent issue of Community Living (1) Robin Jackson asked whether we

wanted to go in the directon of ‘Robocare’ and advised readers to wake up to
its harmful potental. all a en acknowledges that there could be a dark side
to technological care but argues that Assistve Technology can also be liberatng.

ile we nee o e ca e ul a ou calm down and then ask her to walk into The device also sends a message if the
W ossi le ea s o eo le s i ni a local shop. Cathy would then be asked batery is running low – again the friend
an well- ein we s oul e wa also to hand her phone to the shopkeeper. can let Cathy know it’s tme to charge
a ou s ea in an ant essa e a ou Her friend would then talk to the the device.
ssistve ec nolo . shopkeeper, fnd out where the shop
was, say he was on the way and ask the Cathy is really angry that she can’t read.
My everyday experience with three of my shopkeeper to chat to her and let her sit A leter coming through her leter box
friends with learning disabilites shows down untl he arrived. To be honest, addressed to her (she can recognise her
that technology can be liberatng but only most shopkeepers were very helpful name) is likely to make her extremely
if a person is supported by people who when this happened but Cathy would feel distressed. It may be that a supporter
love and care for them and think about embarrassed and ashamed for days and or friend is turning up later but in that
what would really beneft their life. One of would stop going out. moment Cathy’s distress can lead to her
these, Cathy, is happy to share her story. smashing up her fat and hours of
distress. Now she is learning how to use
Assistve Technology – or to use the the scanning pen. She drags the pen along
popular term ‘Robocare’ – is the use of the lines of the leter and the words are
technology rather than human labour read out. Not perfect, especially if the
to provide personal care and support. language is complicated, but Cathy is so
Examples are personal pendants, sensors proud of being able to understand some
to report that people have fallen, epilepsy of her leters and proudly demonstrates
sensors rather than night-tme checks, the pen to others.
telephone and computer prompts,
and so on. Fears have been expressed Simple eh? Gadgets will never replace
that such technology will lead to human contact but what a diference a
increased loneliness and isolaton, couple of gadgets, along with friends
online privacy invasion and cyber bullying. and good support, have made to
Cathy’s life.
Cathy is undoubtedly lonely but over
the years has shown massive strength
in saying very clearly, and sometmes Cathy using her iHelp device. Assistve technology –
very loudly, what she wants in her life. Gadgets will never replace human or to use the popular
She now has a ‘community circle’ which contact but along with friends and
truly listens, discusses ideas and supports good support they can make a big term ‘Robocare’ – is the
change to happen. diference to people’s lives. use of technology rather
than human labour to
PROUD
Cathy has recently had her funding for So where does technology come in? provide personal care
support increased. There is no doubt that Four months ago Cathy had her annual and support.
some paid support, human contact each review. She agreed to see the Telecare
day alongside natural help from church team. They arrived within three days of
and other friends, ensures she has the the review meetng and within a week
support she needs. But Cathy is proud; Cathy had technology which increases her 1. Back to Bedlam or forward to
she wants to do things for herself and independence and freedom. She loves it! Robocare? Robin Jackson,
doesn’t want to ask people all the tme. She now has a few ‘tech’ things but her Community Living, 30 (4), 2017.
favourite is the iHelp device. It took some For his full discussion of technology in
This is hard for her. She has always getng used to but now, if Cathy gets lost, care see Robin Jackson’s Back to Bedlam:
enjoyed going out on her own and would she can press a buton. The device is what kind of a future faces people with
walk locally or get the one bus she knows. connected to her friend’s mobile. learning disability?, Centre for Welfare
The challenge was when she got lost. The minute Cathy presses it her friend Reform, 24 July 2017.
This would cause her to panic. She would gets an alert that tells him exactly where
phone her friend, screaming and crying. she is – he can then phone her and make Sally Warren is CEO of Paradigm
Her friend would talk to her, help her sure someone goes to meet her. and a Community Living adviser.

www.cl-initatves.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 2 | Winter 2017 23