Latest Projects

• FIRST - Flexible Interactive Reading Support Tool EU-funded project using language technology to convert documents into personalised versions to meet the needs of readers with autism.
• TeleSynth University of Edinburgh researchers have assessed the use of phone-based interactive voice systems for use in medication reminders and other prompts.
• REWIRE: Rehabilitative Wayout In Responsive home Environments University of Oxford is a partner on EU project to create a virtual reality based rehabilitation platform for use at home under remote monitoring by the hospital

To search our database of all UK research projects go here.

FAST Breaking News 

• Oxford ACE Centre, specialist communication aid resource, to close June 2012 due to loss of funding. More here.
• Government announces 3millionlives campaign to stimulate uptake of telecare and telehealth over next five years. Details here.  

FAST Monthly Newsletters - May 2012 

• Long-term Neurological Conditions Research Initiative report
• Digital talking televisions 
• Read more in AT Policy News 
   
• Biomedical Catalyst scheme launched
• Robotic exoskeleton
• Read more in AT R&D News

Annual Parliamentary report on R&D in AT

The definitive report on publicly funded research work across the assistive technology field.

The 2011 report is on the Department of Health website here, and on the FAST website here.

RAATE 2012 Conference 

• This year's RAATE conference will be held on Monday 26th November 2012. The Call for Papers opened on 1st April 2012 with a submission deadline of 16th July 2012. Details are here. [external link].

AT Alliance

• FAST is a founder member of the AT Alliance linking four national charities that provide independent AT information. Details here [external link].
• Read the AT Alliance report  “Anarchy or Opportunity? The future for Assistive Technology information services” here.

FAST Publications

Communication Champion report on AAC

Commissioned by the Office of the Communication Champion and authored by FAST, this report aims to inform arrangements for commissioning of specialised Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services under new NHS arrangements. The Communication Champion recommends that the models proposed in the report are adopted by the NHS Commissioning Board and by local NHS and local authority commissioners. The report is available here. 

Provided separately is a model Service Specification for specialised AAC services, available here.

Quality Standards for AAC

Document setting out a Quality Standard for AAC which provides specific, concise quality statements and measures and identifies those services that should comply with them. Based on sector expertise and compiled and edited by FAST, the document is available here.

Assisted Living Installation Practice

Report by FAST looking at the technical and person-centred competences needed to install a range of next generational assisted living services in a recent project led by Tynetec. The report identifies changing business and workforce practice and the implications for training and education. Read the report here. 

'Lifetime Digital Homes' 

Publication edited by FAST, aimed at commissioners and installers of data, power and telecommunications networks in new build homes to support assisted living - a decision support tool. Available via this link.

Press release for the guide is here.  

Getting Equipped to Tackle Forgetfulness

Guide to help friends and family understand how equipment and technology can support the independence and safety of people with the early symptoms of dementia. 

Download the guide here

Getting Equipped for Active Ageing 

• This course material is freely available to anyone who wants to understand what equipment is available to support active aging, increase people's confidence to choose and use it and find out how to get hold of it. More information and materials available here.