DLF announces webinar about assistive tech and how it facilitates greater independence
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has announced a new webinar, which explores people’s experiences of using the DLF’s popular AskSARA tool, a free guidance resource to help end-users find suitable and low-cost independent living aids, mobility devices and adaptations.
Entitled ‘Reflections on person-centred advice about AT and its role in maximising independence’, the webinar will feature speakers from Newcastle City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Newport City Council, who will share their experiences of using AskSARA.
The webinar will take place from 10.00-11.15 on Wednesday 26th May 2021.
It is aimed at those responsible for providing information on assistive technology to older or disabled people, who will have the opportunity to gain insights from people in a similar role.
The DLF says the session will be beneficial for anyone already using AskSARA or considering using AskSARA for their visitors, residents, clients or the general public.
AskSARA is a free-to-use tool that produces impartial advice, written by occupational therapists, about suitable aids and adaptations for over ninety topics of daily living for older and disabled people. It links to over 10,000 products for daily living listed in the DLF’s Living Made Easy marketplace, many of which can be immediately purchased from online retailers and delivered to their door.
Nationally available via the DLF, AskSARA is also licensed to local authorities, which can tailor the information provided to residents to include useful advice and signposting to local services.
The DLF’s latest webinar will present new data about end-users extracted from running the AskSARA advice platform, including topics most visited by users.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to pose questions to the speakers and the DLF team in a Q&A panel session.
Speakers at the webinar
Dawn Pridham
Dawn Pridham is an OT and Team Manager at Newport City Council. She will present on Newport’s experience of integrating self-assessment into its service delivery.
The council’s work led directly to the first regional programme for AskSARA in Wales. AskSARA for Gwent was funded by the Public Service Board, covering the combined areas of Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent, overall reaching a quarter of the population of the principality. This programme aimed to promote wellbeing through self-assessment online as part of a broader prevention programme.
Louise Lapworth
Louise Lapworth from Warwickshire County Council will share details of the multimedia campaign she ran to promote the use of AskSARA in Warwickshire. Using a variety of media, the campaign led to an outstanding set of usage figures, reaching older and disabled people in the county. Louise will share details of the project and data from analysing its effectiveness.
Kate Bowman
Your Equipment Newcastle is part of the Information Now programme in Newcastle-on-Tyne. Kate Bowman from the city council will share her experiences of running AskSARA as a frontline information and advice tool.
To find out more about the webinar, call the DLF on 0300 123 3084 or email enquiries@dlf.org.uk
Alternatively, interested attendees can register for free here