Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: Advice please - spinal injury
> RE assessments - he should be entitled to an assessment through an HE
> assessment centre.
>
>
http://www.nadp-uk.org/resources/links.php>
> EA from
emptech.info was also compiling a map of centres, but this doesn't
> seem to be public yet (EA?). Also,
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/ may be able
> to help find an appropriate centre.
>
>
> Cheers.
>
> Simon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A discussion
list for Assistive Technology professionals.
> [mailto:
[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian F.
> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:23 PM
> To:
[log in to unmask]> Subject: Advice please - spinal injury
>
> Hi
> Wonder if anyone can offer any advice. A student with a spinal injury
> contacted me today. He says he cannot attempt to sit and read or use a
> computer for even brief periods because of chronic pain, and that he is
> only
> comfortable when he is lying flat on his back, when there is "no pressure
> on
> the spine". I don't have access to the details of his condition at this
> time.
>
> He asked for advice on aids that could allow him to read and undertake
> computer based coursework tasks while lying flat on his back. He thought
> some way of
"projecting the pages of a book onto a screen over his head"
> might work. I made some basic suggestions he didn't think would help. In
> the
> end, I could only suggest some specialist equipment suppliers he could
> investigate and that he might want to contact AbilityNet or local British
> Computer Society volunteers.
>
> The student studies at University of Essex and I think he could benefit
> from
> expertise I'm not able to offer. Is there a specialist assessment service
> I
> can refer him to, or tell him to ask to be referred to by his GP or Social
> Services, where he can try out potential aids and adaptations that allow
> him
> to use computer equipment and read in bed that take into account any
> medical
> implications of his condition, ideally in the London or Essex area? Any
> suggestions on how best to advise this student will be gratefully
>
received.
>
> If necessary, I can approach his local education authority to pay for a
> specialist assessment. However, I'm concerned that the nature of the
> assessment might require involvement of medical specialists, which might
> not
> happen if a private assssment is arranged. It wasn't possible to explore
> his
> current treatment but I got the impression he is struggling to get medical
> support that he's happy with, as he also asked if I knew of any charities
> he
> could approach to pay for surgery.
>
> Maybe people know of a good spinal injuries organisation I can refer him
> to
> that can provide practical, realistic advice and support e.g. arranging
> appropriate treatment through the NHS, understanding why treatment isn't
> being offered, pursuing alternative options etc?
>
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions people come up
with.
>
> Regards
> Ian Francis
>
>
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