Our Aims
The Aidis Trust is a charity that provides free, impartial technology advice and support to people with disabilities across the UK. It is our aim to empower people with disabilities, through knowledge of assistive technology, to help them communicate and increase their independence by using technology to help reduce isolation. Our services are offered free of charge to those who receive no statutory support.
Our Past
The Aidis Trust (Aidis) was originally formed in 1975 to help disabled people communicate more easily and effectively through technology. Modern technology then was very different to what it is today.
Our first assessment was to help a boy with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy who enjoyed writing. The outcome was that a new mechanical typewriter was provided.
As the boy's condition worsened he no longer had the strength to press the keys down sufficiently to type. Aidis then re-assessed him for an electric typewriter to enable him to continue communicating through writing - this was cutting edge modern technology!
Aidis continued helping disabled people by expanding their own knowledge base of existing and new products. This enabled us to assess and provide impartial and practical solutions to help overcome access issues.
With the emergence of computer technology the range of solutions grew, as did the Aidis Technician's knowledge base. Not only did technology bring a steady growth of mechanical solutions, but it exploded with a huge range and choice of software. This increase of options enabled Aidis to expand the range of people it was able to help. We started by helping disabled people improve their level of communication by mechanical means. We now help people with disabilities to overcome their communication and access issues by empowering them with knowledge and impartial advice.
Our Present
Aidis has evolved in line with technology and the economic climate. At its core Aidis continues to provide free, impartial advice and support for people with disabilities, either directly or through their support network.
We visit support groups and organisations without charge to explain and demonstrate products that are available.
Aidis now has a free helpline which provides support on general computer issues as well as specialist hardware and software. Technology enables our technicians to remotely access a client computer to carry out remedial work, or to fine tune the settings. Remote access is also used to provide free individual training to suite a clients needs.
Our Future
It is the intention of Aidis to continue it's work in the field of disability access; to be aware of developing technology and it's implication for disability access and to continue providing free, impartial advice.
We will continue to provide our free services to those most in need of the advantages that technology can offer, to help reduce their isolataion through inclusion and communication.
We look for new ways to deliver our services so that more people with disabilities can learn and understand what technology exists to help them. As with now, we will continue to support each individual to make sure that they have up-to-date knowledge and that training and support is continually given.
We look to work in partnership with like-minded organisations to help empower such organisations to pass on technological knowledge to the people that they support.