ICTS Trainers and Administrators : Profiles
 Janet Larcher
Email address:
janet.larcher@inclusive.net
Independent Consultant on Microtechnology Aids for People
with Disabilities
"I am an independent consultant on Microtechnology Aids for
People with Disabilities. This involves the identification of speech output
communication aids, computer systems to support education, writing and leisure
activities, specialist input devices to operate communication aids, computers
and environmental control systems and to allow independent mobility via powered
chairs. Training and ongoing support to ensure efficient and effective use of
these aids and devices is an important part of my service. I also provide
tailor made training courses on the use of computers and communication aids in
educational, day and residential sectors.
Organisations with which I am currently working include
Surrey LEA as consultant on IT and SEN doing all IT assessments for statemented
children; Microtechnology Assistance in Continuing Education (MACE) - a charity
to support people with disabilities using microtechnology in the London area;
The Lionel Wigram Memorial Trust which provides e-mail and the Internet to
people housebound by severe physical and/or communication difficulties; and
Penta Housing Ltd, a housing association for people with learning disabilities.
I have also provided medico-legal assessments on both children and adults, for
a number of solicitors.
In the past I have headed the Spastics Society (now Scope)
Microtechnology Support Service and have been a senior lecturer at King
Alfred's College in Winchester. I conducted an evaluation of the ACE Centre
assessment service, was a member of the steering committee of the DfEE and DoH
joint Initiative on Communication Aids for Children (ICAC) project, and am
currently a member of the Department of Health working party on the provision,
funding and support of communication aids. I am the immediate past Chair of the
national charity Communication Matters and Chair of the board of the
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(ISAAC).
I am a Chartered Psychologist, have a BSc in Human Sciences
and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Surrey, and currently hold an
honorary research fellowship in the School of Engineering, Computing and
Mathematical Sciences from Lancaster University.
My cerebral challenges at the moment (other than remaining
sane) are developing vocabulary structures for a variety of communication
systems!"
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