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Roger · Last edited by Roger on Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:24 am; edited 1 time in total

In partnership with 'AbilityNet', the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association has announced a new computer and information technology loan service for people living with MND.

The loan bank will be free to people with MND who have completed an 'AbilityNet' assessment and will enable access to a range of hardware and software solutions such as:

• specialist communication software, for example EX Keys, The Grid, Dragon
• keyboards
• pointing devices
• switches and switch mounting
• interfaces
• laptops – where the current laptop or PC is not compatible with the required software and hardware. For more information:

http://www.mndassociation.org/news_and_events/news_room/press_releases/new_computer.html
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Wayne · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 1955

Without sounding petty:

!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME !!!
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather.....It pays no attention to criticism.
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"Be yourself because everyone else is taken"

Jeannie · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 2299

GREAT NEWS Dancing

Thanks Roger

Ironically I received a letter this morning from my Speech therapist, she mention now going through ability-Net for a communication aid.

Is ability-Net PC products only?

From what I can make out from the website it is PC products?

cheers

Jeannie
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Best wishes

Jeannie

If I fail, if I succeed at least Ive lived as I believe.

"As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more."

ALS onset June 2000, dxed July 2001, I am 32 yrs old.
Living and loving everyday regardless of ALS
I'm singing and dancing inside!

Roger · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:38 am Post subject:

Yes, the idea is to get everybody with MND on the 'Net' (if they want to be) and provide them with a Laptop, suitable software, pointing devices, installation & support (at home if required) without cost. There are also tutorials available.

Your OT/ST will, in the fullness of time, get the info - your RCDA & AV from MNDA should also have or be getting all the info too.

web: www.abilitynet.org.uk
mail: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk

Free phone & Text: 0800 269545

(Light Writers etc will still be available from Toby Churchill)
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Support: http://www.everyclick.com . . . the search engine that helps charity!
(roger is helping ‘Motor Neurone Disease Association’ http://www.mndassociation.org

Tribute to Teresa:
http://teresa.holding.muchloved.com

Wayne · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 1955

Roger I know Ability net don't charge individuals for this service but they ask for a donation to cover expenses.

I also know that they charge organisations such as the MNDA to write up reports for individual needs of sufferers.

To save the MNDA a few £'s could sufferers just go direct to Abilitynet & get a report on their requirements then submit it to their local branch, RCA or HQ to get the equipment.

This makes sense to me to save on MNDA coffers.

Wayne....
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather.....It pays no attention to criticism.
.
"Be yourself because everyone else is taken"

Roger · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Wayne
I'm not yet had an opportunity to see the new loan bank in action myself so I checked with the loan service ~ this is the reply:

Quote:

Hi Roger

We have a contracted agreement with AbilityNet for the loan bank which actually includes set prices for assessments & training & has been fixed for the 1st 2 years. We also have a set referral process as part of the service level agreement which has also been agreed as part of our contract & so this cannot be changed.

Thank you for checking the possibility of saving the Association money with the AbilityNet assessment process but we are contracted as above.

Bare in mind that AbilityNet is itself a registered charity, so my guess is that the 'contract price' is probably an 'average cost' derived price.

Although the Service is free for people with MND, AbilityNet will assess individuals following a referral from Health and Social Care Professionals to the Association’s Equipment Loan Team.

Enquiries about the computer and information technology loan service please contact the Equipment Loan Team
01604 611802
equipmentloan@mndassociation.org

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Support: http://www.everyclick.com . . . the search engine that helps charity!
(roger is helping ‘Motor Neurone Disease Association’ http://www.mndassociation.org

Tribute to Teresa:
http://teresa.holding.muchloved.com

Wayne · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 1955

Abilitynet is run as charity but assessment for orgnisations as I stated earlier is chargeable as is confirmed in your reply.

It's interesting how the association is willng to throw money away with protocol & what I'm reading is:

"If individuals do not go through Social Care services, OT's or RCA then another assessment will be necessary."

what a waste.
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather.....It pays no attention to criticism.
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"Be yourself because everyone else is taken"

Stuart · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject:

When Speaking to my RCA on Monday I found out that she had not been made aware of the facts stated by Wayne, and was under the impression that all that was needed was a straight forward application for IT equipment. Whereas the final word on who gets equipment is entirely in the hands of Abilitynet. My personal feelings are, that we have to some extent been led up the garden path, by our leaders in Northamton.

After taking a long look at the MND Association, I would not be surprised to see major changes attempted to be made with the emphasis moving from care for pals, to one of providing money for research. Of course I could be wrong but, that is the direction I think the Association will take.
Stuart. Sad

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Dont just live with MND, MAKE IT LIVE WITH YOU. Diagnosed, September, 1997.

Wayne · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 1955

Stuart I think you're right with your assumption, it certainly looks that way.

Roger could you inquire if a person such as myselfwho knows exactly what software or hardware they require would they still have to be assessed by Ability net or can they just approach their local branch for funding.

I understand the MNDA is being cautious where equipment is concerned with people who have never used a computer/laptop before but I & others know what software we require so its pointless having an assessment for it.
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather.....It pays no attention to criticism.
.
"Be yourself because everyone else is taken"

Roger · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Wayne ~ yes I will do that.
I am having other conversations concerning other pwMND & AbilityNet so can ask them this question too.

I believe the correct answer, in your instance is; that this is not a matter to be referred to the loan service but to your local branch. At it's most basic form this is a 'funding request' rather than one of 'IT Support' . . . per-say!
(RCDA can make the funding requests to local branch.)

keefy98 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:36 am Post subject: AWESOME

I cannot speak highly enough about ability net and MND project of computers on loan. I was referred to ability net who sent me a computer and a box load of peripherals' to try out. Had an assessment online with a terrific assessor Karen and passed.
I was happy enough but got confused when they told me all the equipment was being picked up - when I queried they said that was just assessing equipment and now they would recommend what I should have.
Within a month I was approved for the equipment and it was delivered all brand new boxed every item of software including Dragon pre loaded. Guess what? - it was a state of the art Toshiba laptop - I am one lucky guy and I still have Karen who guides me through my online training. Again this is part of the package. Whoever got this on board - THANKS
If your in doubt take the leap and like me become a silver surfer GREAT FUN - whole new world opens.
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Roger · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks Keefy
I'm grateful to you for your feedback on this new service.
It is so useful to hear of people experiences.

If you wanted to say a frew words to AbitlityNet then I feel sure David Banes, Director of Operations would love to hear from you ~ banes@abilitynet.org.uk

You mentioned online training ~ is that from ITCH (IT can help) who work with AbilityNet ~ or AbilityNet 'in house' support?

keefy98 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: KAREN MAXWELL

In house training with Abilty Net is the answer to your question - I think Karen is the TOPS so patient with me
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Wayne · Highly Active Contributor Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 1955

This service is invaluable to us all.
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather.....It pays no attention to criticism.
.
"Be yourself because everyone else is taken"

MJA · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Hi, I would just like to say thank you for this service, the equipment, assessor Karen and whole process has been fantastic.

Some of previous comments however are relevant, mainly the costs, I had a copy of the quotation for my assessment and was shocked, the quotation was a ghostly £1500 ,basically i have a Toshiba laptop currently selling at £400 Dragon software +4 hours of tuition from ability net which I cannot fault but find it hard to come to £1500.

Maybe this MND Association should use abilitynet just for the assessment and source the equipment themselves.

The only confusion I had was that abilitynet do not support a broadband connection, they preload all the software including a dial up pay as you go connection, most people would have broadband in their house and if you do not understand computers reconfiguring would be hard as they will not help you with this, sorry to criticise and thanks again. Mark
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CARPE DIEM