-----Original Message-----
From: Anne Whateley [mailto:anne.whateley@...]
Sent: 27 October 2003 15:24
To: SLT-LIST-UK@...
Subject: FW: Assistive Technology

Received at RCSLT - for interest

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ICAT 2003)

2nd - 3rd December 2003, BSG House,LondonEC1V 2TT

I am writing to draw your attention (and that of any of your colleagues who may have an interest in this topic) to this forthcoming event.   We are aware that many conferences are held on Assistive Technology and have made every effort to make ICAT 2003 a little different. 

The plenary speakers are all involved with either the politics or projects involving "Assistive Technology of the future". The theme of this year's conference is how the design and provision of future technology can impact on people through all ages.  We wish to explore technology and consider if trends are leading to empowerment or the opposite.  

For example, The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) requires all mainstream technologies to be accessible to disabled people.  However if the trend towards miniaturisation continues then it will become a disabling factor to many potential users, so developers in the future will be required to be much more innovative in the area of human interface.

We are very fortunate in having keynote speakers who are in the forefront of the ICT industry.  Dr Geoff Busby, Disability Advisor to The British Computer Society, will be introducing the conference and will outline the desired outcomes.    The conference will end with workshops for delegates, enabling them to express their opinions on the ways in which technology should develop in the future.

Although the conference concentrates on tomorrow's technology, we cannot fail to recognise the importance of what is already available to us, and will be organising an exhibition of current technology to run alongside ICAT 2003 on 2 December, providing the opportunity to gain hands on experience and knowledge of the same.

For further details about ICAT 2003, and a booking form if you are interested in attending or exhibiting at ICAT 2003, visit our web site http://www.bcs.org/disability/icat.  or check the attached files. Alternatively email your postal address and we will send you details in the post.

Email Christine Duma at BCS HQ cduma@hq,bcs.org.uk with your details.