Aidis Trust was formed in 1975 to help a young disabled boy complete his schoolwork with the aid of an electric typewriter. Today, computers are much more widely used but there is still a physical barrier to accessing them if someone cannot use a computer mouse, a keyboard or a touch-screen. Aidis Trust helps disabled children by showing them software or hardware (assistive technology) to help them overcome these difficulties or to help them communicate.

The charity offers free services to families, disability groups and support workers. Aidis assesses the equipment that will benefit individuals, offers training in how to use specialist software and operates a freephone helpline to give additional advice and support. Also, Aidis visits many groups of parents or charities each year, giving impartial advice, demonstrating technology and helping disabled children to access technology.

A good example of the technology would be a piece of software called Proloquo2go. This software uses grids of customizable choices that when touched can speak a phrase. When this software is installed on an iPad it becomes a portable method for someone with learning difficulties or verbal communication difficulties to communicate with other people.

Aidis researches the software and hardware available to give the best possible advice to help disabled children and their families. The Barbara Ward Children’s Foundation generously supported Aidis with a grant of £5,000 towards this work.