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Imperial College London has introduced new technology to help its staff and students perform tasks that they might have previously had difficulty with.

The assistive technology includes all forms of devices and software which promote greater independence for the university’s staff and students.

Some of the software is available to download through Imperial’s Software Hub and others are available online or via app stores. The university added that there will be a range of training workshops available for students in the future.

Director of Student Services at Imperial College London Hannah Bannister said: “With this project the College has significantly increased the range of software available to staff and students. We couldn’t haven achieved such a comprehensive improvement without the insight of a number of groups across the College, such as the Disability Advisory Service.

“The College’s Learning and Teaching Strategy and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy both set out our vision for creating a welcoming and diverse community. Investment in innovations such as assistive technology demonstrates our commitment to deliver this.”

Professor Sara Rankin, from the National Lung and Heart Institute, was a member of the working group that delivered the project.

She commented: “Part of this project is about ensuring that students with specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, are supported with good assistive technologies.

“I believe that students with learning differences have the potential to be great scientists. Dyslexic people are known to have strengths in creativity, thinking outside the box and problem solving as well as having great verbal communication skills and be able to see the big picture, all these attributes mean they have the potential to be great scientists.

“This technology will help increase their chances of success by supporting them in areas where they have a weakness (such as spelling and reading) and allowing them to show their full potential.”

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