Responding to the Coronavirus: free resources from the AT sector

Here is a selection of Coronavirus resources gathered with the aid of BATA members and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for AT. If you know of other initiatives that should be listed please contact John Lamb on john.lamb@bataonline.org.

AbilityNet is running a series of excellent live online events every Thursday at 1.00pm to share useful information for disabled people and their carers and employers. 

The Ace Centre has published remote working during Covid-19; tips and strategies for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) professionals.

Blackboard Ally’s File Transformer allows users to upload a course file and download it in an alternative format.

Brain-in-Hand has produced digital mental health support for Covid-19. The company is offering an interim 3-month package that provides remote digital support linked to a response service accessed via mobile. The support solution can be deployed within two weeks.

The British Dyslexia Association is now taking bookings for a large range of virtual training sessions. Organisations can also book bespoke virtual training via onsite@bdadyslexia.org.uk. 

The Business Disability Forum, which helps its employer members to improve the opportunities and experiences of disabled people in employment, has put together a collection of PDF downloads and video webinars containing advice about how COVID-19 affects disabled employees.

CALL Scotland has a range of aids and information to help children and young people across Scotland overcome disability and to fulfil their potential.

Claro Software says it has a number of free options if people are suddenly having to work or educate at home.

Crick Software is offering anyone affected by school closures free access to its literacy software programs, Clicker and DocsPlus, for six weeks. Applicants need to complete a short form and Crick will be in touch with installation instructions and a serial number. 

Dolphin Computer has been running a series of webinars on the topic of learning at home. Aimed at children with autism (ASD), dyslexia, ADHD, partial sight, blindness or other disabilities, the programme includes free accessible textbooks.

The DSA Student Support Portal is runing free webinars on topics such such as on how to set up a home workstation, accessing remote DSA assessments and accessing free assistive technology resources. The portal is an online community of disabled students, their parents and professionals. 

FindMyFlow has created a resources page to help assessors making remote assessments. 

Hereward College near Coventry has opened a virtual college with useful resources, links and videos to help youngsters with their learning and wellbeing while they are not in college.

JISC, the UK organisation that provides digital services and solutions for those in education post-school, will be holding an online conference called Network48 from April 22 to 24. JISC has also assembled a range of resources to help institutions ensure continuity of learning during enforced absence.

Home learning support advice and guidance is available from the Karten Network charity, which runs a string of centres for computer-aided vocational training, education and communication for disabled people.

Leonard Cheshire has Covid-19 information and advice. The charity, which supports more than 30,000 people, is also appealing for funds for PPE for its carers.

Lexxic’s guide to working from home has handy advice on running a home office. The company is also offering online screening assessments, coaching, learning and consultancy.

Liberator is running free webinars by guest rpesenters on aspect of using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Go here for a full list.

Mantra Lingua has been giving free access to its ebook library of 550 titles aimed at infants through to early secondary. 

Microsoft’s accessibility blog tackles some of the issues encountered when disabled people work remotely.  The company also has a range of tools and games to improve accessibility, while it its international response to Covid-19 is detailed here.

Muscular Dystrophy UK has been working with clinicians and other charities to gather the facts and latest guidance to help answer the most common questions people with muscle wasting conditions been asking about COVID-19.

The National Association of Disability Professionals (NADP) has a Covid-19 resource hub with a number of useful links, including an article on home working by Lynn Wilson.

Natspec, the membership association for organisations that offer specialist further education, has put together an in-depth list of resources to support student learning.

NHS England’s specialised AAC and environmental control (EC) service has curated links to useful sources of information in the UK and abroad.

Note Taking Express is offering free Nhub licences for students during the stay at home period.

Pocklington Trust has produced a range of resources for students and professionals, including information in response to COVID-19.

Pretorian has made its Smooth Talker AAC app, available free during the pandemic. The app normally costs £12.99.

Scanning Pens, the award winning pen scanner company, is offering free trials to parents to support literacy progression in the home:

Using technology to support people with disabilities, their families and those who support them during the Covid 19 pandemic by Siobhan Long. Read here.

Sonocent  is offering further and higher education institutions free, unlimited access to its new note taking software, Glean. To apply, click here.

The Student Loans Company has answers to students’ Covid-19 frequently asked questions.

Communication aids company SmartBox is enabling people to trial its technology at home. SmartBox sends out devices which are then followed with a virtual visit by an AT specialist.

TechEd Marketing has distributed 800 free licences for Inspiration 9 to non-DSA students who require access to the software but cannot get onto campus due to social distancing measures. Inspiration 9 site licence customers should email inspiration@techedmarketing.com.  

Literacy software company TextHelp has a selection of remote tools to support people in education and at work.

Tobii Dynavox has embedded free Coronavirus materials within its communication support tools.

Symbol company Widgit Software has developed new symbols relating to the Coronavirus. The firm is also offering free access to its Widgit Online service for 30 days. You can create an account at www.widgitonline.com/offer. Use code WIDGIT30.