Communication Matters - The view from Techcess

It has almost been a whole week since we visited the Communication Matters National Conference.
The whole of the team from Techcess were present ( Bart, Ian, John, Martin and Neel) and for Techcess the meeting signalled a change for the company.

Many people know about Techess, but what they didn't know (until CM) was that Techcess was purchased some 3 years ago by the owners of Jabbla , Bart Noe and Jo Cremelie.
Whilst this has been a little known fact, slowly Techcess and Jabbla have effectively grown together to work as the same company which is great news for the customers of Techcess.  At CM 2013 this was a major message for our customers and is reflected in the change of branding for Techcess.

Why is this good news for customers of Techcess?

For starters, Techcess is no longer just a sales company for AAC equipment.  It is a crucial part of a larger organisation that is passionate about helping people with communication impairments.  Jabbla is always seeking to find innovative ways to use technology to support AAC needs.  Techcess feeds back everything they learn about what could be done better from their customers and this information goes back into the 'ideas melting-pot' with the aim to always make access to communication easier for Techcess customers.

What is also good for customers is that our technical support is backed up by the developer and support engineers at Jabbla too.  Techcess is not working with faceless suppliers who barely honour their warranties effectively.  They are working with a trusted partner whose agenda for business is totally aligned with that of Techcess' agenda for business.

New exciting technology

At CM this year, Techcess launched the all new Allora.  This communication aid is used by people who like to access communication via a keyboard, or a switch, or both at the same time!  Techess launched the product online in May, but CM 2013 was the first major meeting where therapists and AAC users alike could come along and take a look.
In an AAC world where it seems that consumable tablet computers are becoming very popular, it seemed to the team that there is a recognition that devices that have been designed to be dedicated communication aids are key solutions to supporting the communication of people with communication challenges.  Having a device that does communication well along with a great level of robustness seems to be something that consumable electronic devices do not necessarily provide.
Added to this the Allora gives the ability to detach the conversation partner's display which provides a whole range of interesting ways to support communication.


This novel use of display technology has important implications for using an AAC device in class at school or when sitting in a group of people.

The Team at Techcess had a really good time meeting with customers old and new and if you were there and came to visit the stand, thank you for your support.  If you didn't get to meet the team and find out more about Techcess then we are very happy to visit you to find out more about your interest. Just drop the team a line by clicking here.

Looking forward to enjoying CM with you again next year!

The Team at Techcess.

Techcess welcomes Neel Shearer, our new AAC Product Specialist.

The Team at Techcess are delighted to announce the appointment of Neel Shearer as the AAC Product Specialist.


Neel Shearer - AAC Product Specialist at Techcess

Neel has a long history of working in the world of AAC from working with famous AAC using physics professors through to working with people to understand their communication challenges, translating their needs into the designs of innovative communication technology.

We asked Neel to answer some questions about himself....

Tell us a bit about yourself?
 

'Well,I live on a farm with my wife and three young children who keep me busy!  Over the summer, I have helped my wife set up an 'Eco Campsite' which has been developed with sustainability in mind.  I also love walking, and I recently completed a 'Coast to Coast' challenge, walking from St. Bees, Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire.
 

Why choose a career in Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
 

I seem to have always worked in this or a related industry throughout my career.  I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people to gain access to the basic human right that is communication.
 

What do you hope to achieve in your role as AAC Product Specialist?
 

To help more people find ways to communicate more effectively through using our products. 

As you settle into your new role, who will you be wanting to talk to as you travel around the UK?
 

I will happily talk to anyone, however, in this role I would be really pleased to hear from anyone who would like to explore being able to communicate more effectively using AAC or from speech and language therapists who want to do the same for their clients.

Neel can be contacted by email at neel.shearer@techcess.co.uk .