Calling all disability assessors in higher education - there’s a brand new course for you.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Needs Assessment and Training of Enabling and Learning Technologies, (or NATELT for short) is being delivered by LLU+, part of London South Bank University.

The NATELT course includes content conceived and delivered by Keytools. The course will examine how to develop learning strategies and study skills using assistive and enabling technologies.

When LLU+ were designing the course, they approached Keytools to help deliver the course because of our experience and expertise of dealing with assistive technology.

Further details can be found on the LLU+ website here.

The BBC has asked THE ergonomic experts (that's us!) to give our opinion on their feature article, 'Five ways ergonomics has shaped your life.' You can read the story here.

The Beeb highlighted the ergonomic changes in the controls of a car's dashboard, sleek and chic objects like the iPod and of course the dramatic changes in ergonomics in the office - the solution to RSI.

Speaking about RSI, our very own RSI Expert, Paul Goddard, said, "It is any injury that is caused by any repetitive process, in the absence of trauma."

Assistive Technology Advisor, John Niven, told readers of the BBC that "Adjustability is the key."

To speak to the RSI experts yourself, call us on 023 8029 4500.

Health and Safety experts agree that the Keytools Assistive Technology and Ergonomic Workshop in Southampton is the best way to boost your assessor skills.

Designed specifically for Occupational Therapists, H&S Advisors, Disability Officers and all of you whose job it is to help people use computers.

Get ahead
*Be the first to know what's new in the world of assistive and ergonomic IT
*Touch, feel and use pioneering technology
*Discover new ways to help and understand the people you care for

Bursting with ideas
Our Training Workshops might be accredited by the Royal College of Nursing and the College of Occupational Therapists, but it's what you think that counts ...

"Thank you so much. I'm full of ideas now! Can't wait to recommend your products to my clients."S. Busk, Speech and Language Therapist, Glenside Manor "I've learnt a great deal and have a far better understanding of the range of assistive and ergonomic technology."
E. Bulavs, DSA Assessor, University of Northampton

Your first step to success Take a look at our website and decide which date is best for you. You can book online or call us on 023 8029 4500 for more information. The cost of the full day workshop is just £129. Bring a colleague and get a discount.

See you soon ...

P.S. Limited spaces are available in 2009, or why not make a fresh start in 2010?

Keytools Ltd has signed a contract with Becta to provide Assistive Technology hardware for the Home Access programme, which provides computers and connectivity to low-income families so that children are able to enhance their learning at home. Home Access is a government programme managed by Becta which will benefit over 270,000 households in England by March 2011. Grants will be provided to eligible families to purchase a computer and internet package when the programme is launched across England later this year.

Simon Colebrook, General Manager at Keytools, commented: “We are delighted to be playing a part in delivering this service. It is vitally important that children with additional needs are not excluded from the programme simply because they need extra support. Keytools has many years of experience in providing solutions to overcome all kinds of computer access needs and is looking forward to supporting Becta in delivering a successful programme.”

Neil Mclean, Executive Director, Schools and Families, at Becta said:“The new hardware provision will enhance the Home Access Package, which means that more children will be able to overcome the barriers that prevent them from getting online. By introducing this service, Becta are ensuring that more children and their families will be able to use technology to improve their learning and engage further with their schools.”

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective use of technology through learning. It is Becta's ambition to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.

The NHS are being attacked once again for their infection control standards.

The government and NHS trusts are having their focus on MRSA and C. difficile redirected to the wider range of hospital infections, which account for over 80% of infections.

However, the Public Accounts Committee have acknowledged there have been significant reduction in MRSA (down by 25% from the same period last year) and C. difficile (down by 42%) cases, for which it set national targets, with “hospital bug rate at record low” in Scotland.

Efforts to remain free of MRSA and C. diff are evident throughout the country. Significantly Hereford Hospital Trust, who were given a "clean bill of health" for MRSA between April and June this year. Various efforts have been made to cut infection rates, careful prescription of antibiotics and reminders for people to wash their hands.

However, there is no room for complacency. Recent reports are now showing that the focus needs to be extended to all "superbug" infections. A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We recognise that surveillance of other infections could be improved”. Curbing the use of antibiotics is important, as some strains of infections are increasing levels of resistance, which is concerning.

Keytools maintains that prevention is still the key to tackling hospital infections. Hitting the issue at the source is pivotal to reducing hospital related infections.

Use of innovative technology which has been specifically designed for clinical use, resistant to bacterial growth and easy-to-clean, will significantly reduce the spread of bacteria and infections.

There’s quite a few of us with dyslexia (actually, about 10% of the British population), but there are far more of us who don’t really understand what dyslexia is and how to support people with it.

Quick definition: Dyslexia can be defined as a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects development of literacy and language related skills.

Well, it’s certainly a bit more complex than that, with severity varying person to person.

But there are some simple and effective techniques, products and software to help people with dyslexia overcome challenges people.

Click here to learn more about dyslexia solutions to help at home, in the work place and in education.

Talk to the team
We have a great team experts on dyslexia, who are able to advise on the best solutions for you. Together, we can ensure dyslexia is understood and supported correctly.
Call us for a chat on 023 8029 4500!

Fire walking – Jubilee Sailing Trust

Keytools general manager, Simon Colebrook, volunteered himself “in a fit of madness” to do a firewalk for the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust owns and operates Lord Nelson and Tenacious, the only two tall ships in the world designed to enable able-bodied and disabled people experience the challenge of Tall Ship Sailing.

The firewalk took place in the Guildhall Square, Portsmouth on Thursday 29th October, where Simon walked across the bed of hot coals.

We are pleased to announce Simon raised over £240 for the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported Simon and the JST!