Planit South East

The South East Planit Group who are people who use services and support continue to meet 6 weekly. There is also a group who meet in Carlton Day Centre who meet every month. They are actively engaged in the modernisation of day services making sure their voices are being heard. They are supported to be involved in the South East Local Planning and Implementation Group too. (LPIG) Each quarter this group and one from Toryglen Centre produce a quarterly newsletter for people who attend the centres.

A carers Group has recently been set up via the Carlton Centre and members attend the Carers Planit Group.

The South East Planit Group have recently held a very successful assistive technology event. It was called

"Planit, Try it, Buy it".

Held in the Touchbase Centre a number of organisations came along and displayed their equipment. Everyone got a chance to try out the equipment and check what could work for them.

The conference was organised by Colin, Kenny, Stuart, Gordon, Peter and William. They secured some funding from the Scottish Consortium of Learning Disability and Castlemilk Credit Union and want to thank them.

The day was great fun but also very informative. Some people are likely to spend some of their individual budget on equipment and need to know what is available!

Here is some useful information from the day!

Julian and Tony from Aidis Trust

They explained to people that the Aidis Trust was founded in 1975 to help disabled people communicate more easily and effectively through technology.They help disabled people make best use of information and communication technology by giving information, help and support on all aspects of disability computing. They can be contacted on http://www.aidis.org/

Alan and Joanne from CALL Scotland

They told us how CALL (Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning) Scotland is both a Service and a Research Unit. It is for anyone in Scotland concerned with communication difficulties, particularly in a learning context. They can help people make best use of technology to maximise their every day living and communication opportunities. They did a demonstration on the day showing a range of communication aids. They can be contacted on http://www.callscotland.org.uk/Home/

Sandra from Tunstall

Sandra explained that Tunstall has a very simple philosophy which is to protect and care for people by providing healthcare technology and services that enable anyone requiring support and reassurance to lead an independent life.

They provide complete and fully-integrated telecare solutions for people living at home with a response centre and monitoring services. They have a wide range of equipment for helping keep people safe while at the same time maximising their independence. They can be contacted on http://www.tunstall.co.uk/About-us

Joyce and Patrick from Hanover

They told people that Hanover Telecare is a round-the-clock emergency call and response service, with more than 25,000 connections from all over Scotland. Operating since 1987, Hanover Telecare’s team of trained operators are on hand all day every day to provide assistance to a wide range of users, with an even wider range of needs. They provide a range of equipment and alarms to keep people safe and secure with the back up of a response team for when you need it. They can be contacted on http://www.hsha.org.uk/telecare/default.asp?ID=29

Eve from Omniqare

Eve showed people how they could manage their whole support arrangement if neccessary through a single touchscreen. This would allow someone to keep safe, communicate with people, contact others, shop, contact and organise services they might need and manage their own well being. It was truly amazing! Eve can be contacted on http://www.omniqare.com/index.htm

Euan from Dynavox

Euan and Debbie from Dynavox set up their equipment to show how someone who could only move their eyes could still communicate. It meant someone could ask for what they wanted by looking at the screen and blinking or even just staring at the option they wanted if they couldn't blink. They had a range of other equipment to help ensure people could communicate effectively. They can be contacted on http://uk.dynavoxtech.com/Default.aspx

Mark and Sam from Tynetec

Tynetec designs and manufactures telecare equipment. They showed people a range of equipment that could help people feel safe and secure living in their own home. They had alarms and other detectors that people could try out and they explained it was important to keep people safe while at the same time making sure they had the maximum amount of independence they wanted. They can be contacted on http://www.tynetec.co.uk/page/home

Liz from Asda

Liz is the community events co-ordinator for the local Asda store and came along on the day to show people the options of shopping on line for their goods and groceries. People were able to explain to Liz the difficulties they had doing this using the site and paying for what they ordered. She understood the problems and agreed to take them back to Asda to help find solutions.

James from Unity Trust

James spoke to people about Unity Trust and how they were an ethical bank and specialist bank for social enterprises, charities and trade unions. He said they wanted to listen to customers and understand their needs. He is also a supporter of the prepaid cash card scheme that is being considered for people who direct their own support using and individual budget.

He can be contacted on http://www.unity.co.uk/

Vashi from CKUK

Explained to people about the work of CKUK and that it is a small independant charity that provides people with learning difficulties with opportunities to make friends, tell their stories, learn about life, their rights and share with others their skills, talents and interests.

She showed them the social networking site and the range of other projects they are involved in. She told them about how they maximise the use of the computer and other technology for supporting people with learning disabilities to have their say and ensure they are included. Vashi can be contacted on http://www.ckuk.org.uk/index.html?pid=175