I’ve seen it time and time again, and many of my clients will corroborate: assistive technology, with the correct guidance and support, can drastically improve the quality of life of anyone living with a disability.
However, devices such as communication aids, specialist switches and bespoke gaming set ups can also be difficult to obtain, with barriers including the high cost of assistive technology, lack of awareness, and lack of support for individuals. But if you or a disabled person you know is having trouble accessing the life-changing benefits of assistive technology – there are charities, grants, and government schemes for disabled people that could help.
I’ve put together a simple list of 10 support services and trustworthy charities for disabled adults, children and their families across the UK, helping them access assistive technology. If you’re looking for ways to improve your life with a disability, have a read and see which services might be right for you.
In this list, you’ll find opportunities ranging from financial support e.g. charity grants for disabled adults; to job assistance; to advice and support for parents of disabled children.
This post includes useful information about services available to you, with contact details for each charity/service to help you access the support you need and deserve.
* Some of these charities/organisations may require a fee for assessment – I have reached out to each of them for the specifics and will keep the blog updated.
Image: 121captions.com
1. Government Access To Work Grant
Location: England, Wales & Scotland
Type of disability support: financial
The Government access to work grant provides financial support for disabled people who are in work, to cover the cost of adaptions or assistive technology in the workplace.
The grant will fund any type of assistive technology deemed to help the applicant improve their ability to complete work-related tasks.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you live in England, Wales or Scotland, over 16 years old, and are in or soon to be starting paid work. This includes disabled people who are:
- working full-time or part-time for an organisation,
- self-employed,
- apprentices,
- in paid work experience or work trials.
Government access to work grants can be a fantastic opportunity if you work from home or for yourself, to get access to assistive technology in your home which will help you in other areas of life. This in-depth guide by Diversity & Ability is brimming with advice on everything from the application process to discussing Access to Work with your employer.
Applying for Access To Work Grant
You can find out more about access to work grants in this easy-read guide on the Government’s website. They also provide accessible formats on request. Email accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk.
Image: X (@familyfund)
2. Family Fund
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: financial
This charity helps families raising disabled, or seriously ill children, by giving out thousands of grants to parents/carers every year. They provide grants for a wide range of items, including sensory play equipment, family breaks, technology, kitchen appliances, furniture and bedding, and much more.
In addition to financial support, they’re also a good organisation to contact for advice and support for parents of disabled children.
Eligibility
Your family may be eligible for a grant if you are raising a disabled, or seriously ill child, and receive one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
To decide if your family is eligible for a grant, Family Fund looks at your income and the impact of disability on your child. You can read more about eligibility at Family Fund here.
Family Fund grants can be used for assistive technology such as computers and tablets, sensory toys, gaming, and adaptions to your home, as well as the training necessary so that your child can get the most out of their new equipment.
Read other people’s stories here to find out what they have been able to use their grant for.
The charity also helps out with guidance and information, supporting you to spend your grant on the right equipment/services for your child.
Another great thing about Family Fund is that you can apply more than once – every 2 years if you live in England, Northern Ireland or Wales, or every 18 months if you live in Scotland.
Applying for a Family Fund grant
Click here to apply using the online form.
You’ll need a few supporting documents including proof of income or benefits, a disability benefit letter for your child (if you have one), your child’s education plan (if they have one) and a copy of a recent assessment or letter from a professional about your child’s condition or support needs.
Image: Facebook (Arcos)
3. Arcos (the Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills)
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: advice & equipment loan
Arcos are a national charity who provide support for disabled adults & children with communication and eating difficulties.
They offer free loans of assistive technology devices like communication aids and switches, which can help disabled people access computers and gaming.
Equipment loans can help you decide which device is right for you before purchasing, by giving the opportunity to “test drive” the equipment before committing. This is useful due to the large cost of assistive technology – loans give you peace of mind as well as temporarily helping with everyday tasks, entertainment, leisure activities, work and education.
The charity also employ therapists who provide free sessions, supporting disabled adults and children with expert witness statements and reports.
Eligibility
Arcos consider applications from any adult or child living in the UK with difficulties communicating or eating, sensory challenges or physical disabilities.
Contacting Arcos
Use their online form to get in touch with Arcos and discuss your needs.
Alternatively you can call 01684 576795 or email admin@arcos.org.uk.
Image: everyonecan.org.uk
4. Everyone Can
Location: Manchester
Type of disability support: assistive technology & gaming support
Everyone Can, formally known as the Aidis Trust, offer free advice, assessments & training on assistive tech & gaming equipment. They understand how gaming can enrich the lives of disabled adults and children, so are helping make gaming accessible to all.
This is a fun charity based in Manchester, with a serious ethos behind it. Using assistive technology for gaming is so important because the transferable skills learnt can help disabled people communicate, live independently, control their environment and have fun!
Everyone Can run gaming sessions at their bespoke gaming centre in Manchester, which is kept up to date with the latest assistive technology. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for disabled adults and children to access gaming in a social environment.
Book a gaming session
You can book into a gaming session by calling 0808 800 009 or using the contact form on the Everyone Can website.
What if I can’t get to Manchester?
If you’re outside of Manchester and interested in finding out how assistive technology can help you become a disabled gamer, get in touch with Sensation CTS. We offer bespoke gaming set ups, try-out sessions and advice for disabled adults and children across the UK. Do you have a game you’ve always wanted to play? Let us know and we’ll give it a try using assistive technology!
Image: lawgazette.co.uk/charities
5. Guide Dogs
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: assistive technology for blind children
The Guide Dogs Association, as well as providing, well, guide dogs, also help out with funding for assistive technology through their Access Technology Service for children with sight loss.
They help fund:
- Tablets & IPads
- Braille devices
- Laptops and specialist software
- Video magnifiers (CCTV)
- Bubble tubes
- Tactile toys
- Sensory lights
Eligibility
This service is available to children aged 18 or younger living in the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey.
There are few terms, for example the applicant or their family must contribute 10% of the total cost of the assistive technology, and items will only be funded if they are not available from government backed services. However this funding can help blind children who may not have otherwise had the means to benefit from specialist tech.
Read the full eligibility criteria here.
Applying for the Access Technology Service
Contact Guide Dogs on 0333 070 3706 or email techforall@guidedogs.org.uk to enquire.
Image: Facebook (JankiSaye)
6. Janki Saye Foundation
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: financial
The Janki Saye Foundation is a family run organisation that provides grants to fund assistive technologies, in order to transform the lives of people with disabilities and special needs across the UK. They have previously funded electronic pointing devices, touch screens, screen readers and text to speech communication aids, plus a Prodigi Duo 2 in 1 reading device.
Their informative website contains plenty of useful assistive technology advice and support for disabled adults and children.
Eligibity
Janki Saye accept grant applications from anyone living in the UK who is unable to meet the cost of assistive technologies. The foundation will consider your application and decide your eligibility before offering a grant.
Applying for an Assistive Technology Grant
Email grants@jankisaye.org to request an application form.
Be prepared to include some supporting evidence from a qualified medical professional such as a speech and language therapist or occupational therapist.
Image: Facebook (NDCS)
7. National Deaf Children’s Society
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: Equipment loan for deaf children
The NDCS offers deaf children and their families a “Technology Test Drive”, which is a loan of radio aids and other specialist equipment to test and assess in their own homes. The aim is to allow families to gain evidence about the benefits of any equipment to help them to obtain the equipment long term from either the local authority or social services, or purchase it themselves depending on individual financial situations.
The NDCS are currently able to offer the following assistive technology for deaf children:
- Alerting devices
- Communication technology
- Listening aids for TV and MP3 Players
- Radio aids
- Computer software
Contact the NDCS
To find out more about equipment loans from the National Deaf Children’s Society call their free helpline on 0808 800 8880 or email helpline@ndcs.org.uk.
Image: www.westnorthants.gov.uk
8. The Sequal Trust
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: financial
The Sequal Trust specialise in providing help to severely disabled people who rely on electronic communication aids (AAC) and specialist computer access equipment.
Due to their understanding of the challenges and cost associated with finding and funding the right electronic communication aid, their team are dedicated to making sure everyone can access their voice.
The organisation fundraise on behalf of their members to provide them with fully funded communication aids, as well as advice and assistive technology training.
Eligibility
You must become a member to access support from the Sequal Trust. They will ask for details of your disability and individual requirements.
Once you have completed this online membership form, an assessment form will be sent to your healthcare professional to complete.
If successful, the Trust will help you to access the right communication aid with funding and support.
There are no fees involved for an applicant who is accepted for help.
Image: Royal College of Occupational Therapists
9. Ability Net
Location: UK wide
Type of disability support: IT help
Ability Net offer free online and home IT support, helping disabled people to use computers and the internet for work, education or everyday tasks. Their network of volunteers provide home support to disabled people of any age, anywhere in the UK.
The “My Computer My Way” database on the Abilty Net website is a treasure trove of free digital resources in the form of simple how-to guides. Their options to search and filter mean you’re pretty much guaranteed to find the help you’re looking for.
How to access free IT support
To access Ability Net’s home IT support services, call 0300 180 0028 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk, or fill in their home visit request form.
Image: Ace Centre
10. Ace Centre
Location: North West of England
Type of disability support: provide communication aids
Ace Centre is an assessment-based NHS service, primarily available to residents of the North West, Wessex & Thames Valley. They provide communication aids and support to adults and children on the NHS, which can be an accessible option for families who are unable to fund expensive assistive technologies.
Looking for more information about the types of communication aids and how to use them? The Ace Centre website is packed with free resources anyone can use to help you get the most out of your communication aid.
Eligibility
Support from the Ace Center is available to some disabled people living in England. Their assessment process will determine if you are eligible, then the type of communication device you could be offered. The organisation will then arrange the purchase and install of the equipment to help disabled people communicate independently.
Access support from Ace Centre
The centre offer free online information appointments. Call 0800 080 3115 or email enquiries@acecentre.org.uk to find out more.
Conclusion
The charities and organisations included on this list offer a wide range of assistive technology support for disabled people, whether it’s financial, training, equipment loan or advice. It could be that you need help with the cost of an eye gaze device, support with a communication aid, or specialist assistive technology for work, education or leisure. One of these charities for disabled people may be able to help.
If you’d like personalised in-home assistive technology support, equipment try-out sessions, assistive technology advice or at home IT support, then contact Sensation CTS:
t: 07790648338