Here is their article below and if you want to find out more then feel free to contact them at www.efc.ac.uk.
College helps students to find a voice
Two students from Epping Forest College have been given a “voice” for the first time thanks to new communication technology.
Gavin King and Susan Collins are students in the College’s Preparation for Life and Work (LDD) department. Both students are in their late 50s, and have cerebral palsy. Susan has no speech whatsoever and Gavin has virtually unintelligible speech, leaving him repeating the most basic of messages over and over again until his communication can be understood.
After years of trying to teach and find alternative forms of communication that they could use, tutor Andrea Slade came across a device that she thought could be the answer.
The new assistive technology they now have are electronic AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) devices called Allora 2, which have given them both a voice for the first time. The devices allow Gavin and Susan to communicate using text to speech.
Andrea said: ”I’ve been working with Gavin and Susan for 7 years to find an answer to their issues, trying signing, using symbols, basic electronic communication devices etc, until finally I found the perfect solution.
“I am the College lead and link for ICE (Inclusive Communications in Essex) in Chelmsford, and after a recommendation from Jason Boyce the Resource Manager, I contacted Ian Foulger from Techcess, developers of the Allora 2, who brought the devices for Gavin and Susan to test.”
After trialling the devices for the first time, Gavin and Susan had found something that could meet their needs. However, at a cost of over £3,000 each, the devices had a hefty price tag. The hunt for funding then began.
After exhausting all usual routes of funding without success, Andrea made an application with The Sequal (Special EQUipment and Aids for Living) Trust, a national fundraising Charity that is committed to bridging the communication gap for people with disabilities of all ages throughout the UK.
Andrea said: “We’re extremely grateful to Sequal for all their support in helping us to secure the
After considering the students’ cases, the Trust agreed to raise the funding needed for the devices. The College made a contribution, with the rest of the funds coming from private donations. Eventually the finance was in place, and the Allora 2 devices were bought.
Gavin said: ”This has been nothing less than life changing for me.”
Susan said: “This has given me a voice for the very first time in my life.
“We would both like to say a massive thank you to both Sequal and Epping Forest College for helping us to finally be able to talk freely with our friends and families.”
If you would like to know more about the Allora 2 specifically then please contact Techcess through our Allora minisite www.techcess.co.uk/allora or complete the form below;
