British Assistive Technology Association
What BATA does
BATA members are suppliers, AT professionals and organisations who provide support to individuals with disabilities who need Assistive Technology solutions. We provide an information and signposting service to the public in directing enquiries to relevant members (and other relevant groups/organisations).
On behalf of our members we represent Assistive Technology interest to government as a grassroots organisation. BATA is not-for-profit. Membership fees pay for our executive director and secretary, our council members are voluntary and serve a term of office.
Aims
．To campaign for the rights and interests of those needing Assistive Technology.
．To provide expert and impartial support and advice to government departments and agencies.
．To educate and inform widely on the benefits of Assistive Technology.
．To promote British Assistive Technology products and expertise at home and overseas.
．To develop the professionalism of those working with Assistive Technology through codes of practice, education, qualifications, accreditation, certification and networking.
BATA Council members
Rick Bell (Chair): Texthelp
Rick Bell, Head of Education at Texthelp Ltd, a world leading provider of literacy support assistive technology. Texthelp believes in digital inclusion and that absolutely everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential – in education, in the workplace and in later life too.
Antony Ruck (Vice Chair): Assistive Technology Consultant
Antony Ruck of Archent Consulting has worked in the AT industry for over 15 years at senior management level, working with manufacturers, publishers and service providers to deliver first class products and customer experience. Now working as a freelance AT Industry Consultant, Antony provides information, advice and guidance on service delivery, operations, commercial development, sales and marketing, and event management.
John Lamb (Executive Director)
John Lamb has been the publisher and editor of Ability about technology for disabled people. As a journalist John has covered information technology developments for nearly 40 years. He is a member of the BCS Digital Accessibility Specialist Group and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Accessibility Panel.
Carolyne Smith (Secretary): Sight and Sound Technology
Carolyne Smith is the DSA business manager at Sight and Sound Technology. Carolyne manages all strategic, commercial and delivery aspects of their education business. She has worked in the industry for over 12 years.
Louise Warriar (Director):DSA Needs Assessor
Louise is a Consultant DSA Needs Assessor with a background in one-to-one support and assistive technology. She has been supporting students with disabilities in Higher Education for over 15 years, focusing on assessing for the last eight years.
Sarah-Jane Peake (Director): Launchpad Assistive Technology
Sarah-Jane Peake is the founder of Launchpad Assistive Technology - a provider of AT training with integrated study strategies. As a consultant and learning strategist, Sarah-Jane has worked on a diverse range of projects with leading AT software publishers. She also recently launched a new YouTube tutorial channel, Launchpad TV and is one of the people behind FindMyFlow a new online AT training resource for students.
Myles Pilling (Co-opted): AccessAbility Solutions
Myles Pilling is an accessibility consultant at AccessAbility Solutions. Myles has over 30 years’ teaching experience. Myles was an Adviser for 10 years for a Local Authority where he operated a loan bank of ICT equipment. He is also a part-time external lecturer for Bath Spa University. He is a parent of an adult with learning disabilities. Has been involved with ICT and SEN since the early 80s and has a passion to see pupils reach their full potential through the use of ICT.
Matthew Dean (Co-opted): Assistive Technology Consultant
Matthew Dean is an assistive technology consultant working with clients across the education, corporate and public sectors to identify the right solution for individuals and organisations. With extensive insight into cloud-based and integrated software products, Matt has previously worked in both the DSA and corporate sector.
Paul Doyle (Co-opted):Bush & Company
Paul Doyle has been engaged in the field of Assistive Technology since 1995 in a variety of operational and strategic roles. He currently is an expert witness for Assistive Technology at Bush & Company. Prior to that he was at Hereward College (which played an integral role in the origin and development of the Disabled Students Allowance programme).
Paul also leads a team of researchers undertaking projects in and around the field of assistive technology, with objectives as diverse as capturing the user experience of innovations in AT to workforce development requirements projects for the assessment and installation of telehealth and telecare assistive technologies.
Adam Hyland (Co-opted): Diversity & Ability
Adam is an experienced disability equality consultant and trainer as well as Campaigns and Equalities Director at Diversity & Ability (D&A). After graduating. Adam was elected as the National Disabled Students Officer At NUS. Having been an end-user of assistive technology most of his life, Adam now oversees the AT training service at D&A and heads up the quality assurance of the service. Adam is also a board member of the Global Disability Innovation Hub which is a London 2012 legacy project.
Jack Churchill (Co-opted): Scanning Pens
Jack Churchill is the Co-founder and CEO of Scanning Pens, the world’s leading supplier of portable pen scanners. Scanning Pens provide AT devices that support struggling readers in the classroom, exam hall and workplace. Jack takes an active interest in the fast-developing worlds of dyslexia and assistive technology.
Paul Smyth (Co-opted): Barclays
Paul Smyth is responsible for identifying, anticipating and addressing technological barriers faced by disabled and older customers and colleagues in doing business with or being employed by Barclays . His remit includes equipping digital and change teams with training and tools, boosting business awareness, setting/policing accessibility standards and measuring the benefits that accessibility brings.
Esther Dakin-Poole (Co-Opted):Smile Smart Technology
Esther is Head of Education and Development at Smile Smart Technology, manufacturer of the Drivedeck, Smile Smart System powerchairs and specialists in mounting, neurodisability switching and controls. Her background is in anthropology, international relations, business, design and manufacturing with historic regional focus on East and Southern Africa and South East Asia.
Clive Gilbert (Co-Opted):Policy Connect
Clive is Policy Manager, Assistive Technology at Policy Connect. He has held public policy researcher roles at Scope and the Policy Research Unit. He has also worked as an independent consultant and writer on disability, education and skills, health and social services to organisations across the public, private and charitable sectors.
Chris Collier (Co-opted): eQuality Solutions
Chris has worked in the disability sector for ten years as a study skills tutor and DSA needs assessor, and later managing a non-medical helper service and needs assessment centres. He currently works for eQuality Solutions, helping to deliver high-quality services, including an interactive online learning platform, to disabled students.
Website：BATA
British Assistive Technology Association
What BATA does
BATA members are suppliers, AT professionals and organisations who provide support to individuals with disabilities who need Assistive Technology solutions. We provide an information and signposting service to the public in directing enquiries to relevant members (and other relevant groups/organisations).
On behalf of our members we represent Assistive Technology interest to government as a grassroots organisation. BATA is not-for-profit. Membership fees pay for our executive director and secretary, our council members are voluntary and serve a term of office.
Aims
．To campaign for the rights and interests of those needing Assistive Technology.
．To provide expert and impartial support and advice to government departments and agencies.
．To educate and inform widely on the benefits of Assistive Technology.
．To promote British Assistive Technology products and expertise at home and overseas.
．To develop the professionalism of those working with Assistive Technology through codes of practice, education, qualifications, accreditation, certification and networking.
BATA Council members
Rick Bell (Chair): Texthelp
Rick Bell, Head of Education at Texthelp Ltd, a world leading provider of literacy support assistive technology. Texthelp believes in digital inclusion and that absolutely everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential – in education, in the workplace and in later life too.
Antony Ruck (Vice Chair): Assistive Technology Consultant
Antony Ruck of Archent Consulting has worked in the AT industry for over 15 years at senior management level, working with manufacturers, publishers and service providers to deliver first class products and customer experience. Now working as a freelance AT Industry Consultant, Antony provides information, advice and guidance on service delivery, operations, commercial development, sales and marketing, and event management.
John Lamb (Executive Director)
John Lamb has been the publisher and editor of Ability about technology for disabled people. As a journalist John has covered information technology developments for nearly 40 years. He is a member of the BCS Digital Accessibility Specialist Group and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Accessibility Panel.
Carolyne Smith (Secretary): Sight and Sound Technology
Carolyne Smith is the DSA business manager at Sight and Sound Technology. Carolyne manages all strategic, commercial and delivery aspects of their education business. She has worked in the industry for over 12 years.
Louise Warriar (Director):DSA Needs Assessor
Louise is a Consultant DSA Needs Assessor with a background in one-to-one support and assistive technology. She has been supporting students with disabilities in Higher Education for over 15 years, focusing on assessing for the last eight years.
Sarah-Jane Peake (Director): Launchpad Assistive Technology
Sarah-Jane Peake is the founder of Launchpad Assistive Technology - a provider of AT training with integrated study strategies. As a consultant and learning strategist, Sarah-Jane has worked on a diverse range of projects with leading AT software publishers. She also recently launched a new YouTube tutorial channel, Launchpad TV and is one of the people behind FindMyFlow a new online AT training resource for students.
Myles Pilling (Co-opted): AccessAbility Solutions
Myles Pilling is an accessibility consultant at AccessAbility Solutions. Myles has over 30 years’ teaching experience. Myles was an Adviser for 10 years for a Local Authority where he operated a loan bank of ICT equipment. He is also a part-time external lecturer for Bath Spa University. He is a parent of an adult with learning disabilities. Has been involved with ICT and SEN since the early 80s and has a passion to see pupils reach their full potential through the use of ICT.
Matthew Dean (Co-opted): Assistive Technology Consultant
Matthew Dean is an assistive technology consultant working with clients across the education, corporate and public sectors to identify the right solution for individuals and organisations. With extensive insight into cloud-based and integrated software products, Matt has previously worked in both the DSA and corporate sector.
Paul Doyle (Co-opted):Bush & Company
Paul Doyle has been engaged in the field of Assistive Technology since 1995 in a variety of operational and strategic roles. He currently is an expert witness for Assistive Technology at Bush & Company. Prior to that he was at Hereward College (which played an integral role in the origin and development of the Disabled Students Allowance programme).
Paul also leads a team of researchers undertaking projects in and around the field of assistive technology, with objectives as diverse as capturing the user experience of innovations in AT to workforce development requirements projects for the assessment and installation of telehealth and telecare assistive technologies.
Adam Hyland (Co-opted): Diversity & Ability
Adam is an experienced disability equality consultant and trainer as well as Campaigns and Equalities Director at Diversity & Ability (D&A). After graduating. Adam was elected as the National Disabled Students Officer At NUS. Having been an end-user of assistive technology most of his life, Adam now oversees the AT training service at D&A and heads up the quality assurance of the service. Adam is also a board member of the Global Disability Innovation Hub which is a London 2012 legacy project.
Jack Churchill (Co-opted): Scanning Pens
Jack Churchill is the Co-founder and CEO of Scanning Pens, the world’s leading supplier of portable pen scanners. Scanning Pens provide AT devices that support struggling readers in the classroom, exam hall and workplace. Jack takes an active interest in the fast-developing worlds of dyslexia and assistive technology.
Paul Smyth (Co-opted): Barclays
Paul Smyth is responsible for identifying, anticipating and addressing technological barriers faced by disabled and older customers and colleagues in doing business with or being employed by Barclays . His remit includes equipping digital and change teams with training and tools, boosting business awareness, setting/policing accessibility standards and measuring the benefits that accessibility brings.
Esther Dakin-Poole (Co-Opted):Smile Smart Technology
Esther is Head of Education and Development at Smile Smart Technology, manufacturer of the Drivedeck, Smile Smart System powerchairs and specialists in mounting, neurodisability switching and controls. Her background is in anthropology, international relations, business, design and manufacturing with historic regional focus on East and Southern Africa and South East Asia.
Clive Gilbert (Co-Opted):Policy Connect
Clive is Policy Manager, Assistive Technology at Policy Connect. He has held public policy researcher roles at Scope and the Policy Research Unit. He has also worked as an independent consultant and writer on disability, education and skills, health and social services to organisations across the public, private and charitable sectors.
Chris Collier (Co-opted): eQuality Solutions
Chris has worked in the disability sector for ten years as a study skills tutor and DSA needs assessor, and later managing a non-medical helper service and needs assessment centres. He currently works for eQuality Solutions, helping to deliver high-quality services, including an interactive online learning platform, to disabled students.
Website：BATA
