Technology supporting people with disabilities

We are thrilled to announce some inspiring guest speakers in the disability tech space for our upcoming event which will be sponsored by Riviam Digital Care. Riviam Digital Care offer a secure platform for health and social care providers to collaborate and co-ordinate care delivery.

Confirmed event speakers include:

1. Barry Farrimond MBE, Chief Executive of Open Up Music (http://openupmusic.org/)

Barry has over 10 years experience developing, strengthening and leading social enterprise and third-sector arts organisations. He co-founded OpenUp Music in 2014 and, as CEO, has overseen a range of ambitious projects including the establishment of the UK’s first Open Orchestras (school orchestras within special schools) and the South-West Open Youth Orchestra (http://www.noyo.org.uk/), the UK’s first disabled-led regional youth orchestra.

OpenUp Music was recently championed by NESTA as one of 2016’s New Radicals – a list of 50 pioneering initiatives from across the UK. In 2017 the South-West Open Youth Orchestra was awarded a much coveted Royal Philharmonic Society award. In Autumn 2018 OpenUp Music is set to launch the National Open Youth Orchestra - the worlds first disabled-led national youth orchestra.

Respected as an authority on the development and application of accessible music technology, Barry has also led the development of OpenUp Music’s award-winning Open Musical Instruments programme - a new generation of accessible musical instruments that can be played with any part of the body, including the eyes. He was awarded an MBE for services to Accessible Music Technology in 2018.

Additionally, Barry is an experienced actor with over 25 years of experience performing on stage and screen. Notably, he plays the part of Ed Grundy in the long-running BBC Radio 4 soap 'The Archers’ and is also the inventor of the Farrimond Friction Hitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrimond_friction_hitch) - a quick release adjustable friction knot for use on lines under tension.

2. Hazel Boyd, Designability

Designability (https://designability.org.uk/) are a charity transforming the lives of disabled people through innovation and technology, in particular the WizzyBug, an innovative powered wheelchair designed specifically for disabled children under five so that they can experience mobility and fun, and also music players and radios for people with dementia.

3. Liam Smyth, Bristol Braille
   Bristol Braille is a Social Enterprise working from the Bristol Hackspace to develop Canute, a radical technological solution to the problem of declining Braille illiteracy. Canute is the world’s first viable multi-line refreshable Braille e-reader; a ‘Kindle for blind people’. Liam will be joining us to showcase Canute and to discuss opportunities this braille tech will bring with a focus on their cooperative design approach, and how the product has evolved.

4. Louise Rendle, Wiltshire Service Users Network
   Wiltshire Service Users’ Network was formed by people who use health and social services, to promote user involvement and support people to have a voice. Louise will be talking about engaging the community in the development of technology.

Bath Mind's Food for Thought will also be catering for our event. The Food For Thought project provides opportunities for participants to gain skills, boost self-esteem, socialise and progress on their mental and physical wellbeing recovery path.

Overall - it's an event you wont want to miss and we look forward to seeing you all there!