2017 Karten Network Events
We are pleased to announce the upcoming 2017 Karten Network Events.
There will be 3 webinars to be held on:
Thursday 23 November 16.00 – 17.00
Thursday 30 November 12.30 – 13.30
Thursday 7 December 16.00 – 17.00
Each webinar will include network news, updates and a themed delivery slot with facilitated discussion. Details regarding the themes to be announced, but they will be delivered by experts in the field.
On 30 November the webinar will be streamed from Beacon one of our Karten Centres. Very kindly the CEO of Beacon Arwyn Jones and Matt Harrison, Beacon’s new Technical Services Manager, have offered us the opportunity to run a Karten Network event alongside Beacon’s Tech Week. This event will take place between 10.30 – 14.30 and will give delegates the opportunity to access Karten Network specific content and to experience Tech Week too. The theme for this event and webinar will be visual impairment.
Event and booking details available soon.
Funding update – September 2017
Trustees of the Ian Karten Charitable Trust met in September and approved funding for additional equipment at the following Karten Centres:
- David Lewis – College and Eduprint
- Derwen College – Karten Print
- FitzRoy Malvern
- FitzRoy Petersfield
- Hedleys – Karten Media Suite
- Homefield College – Sip and Surf
- Lufton College and Lufton Manor Farm
- Ono Academic College
- Queen Alexandra College – Creative Media
- Vision North Somerset
- White Lodge Centre
- Young Epilepsy – St Piers College
Trustees also supported applications from New Centres:
- Hopes Hamlet, Hope School and College
- Natspec – TechAbility
Trustees were impressed with the high quality and the diversity of applications received. The range of technology requested included: iPads and mobile devices; acoustic technology; interactive plasma screens; PCs and laptops; sensory equipment; radio, photography and media technology; Sage and point of sale systems … and so much more. We wish the successful Karten Centres well in implementing their projects and look forward to case studies in due course.
The next Trustees meeting will be held in March 2018, applications need to be sent to dawn@karten-network.org.uk by 12 noon on 19 January 2018. Karten Centres intending to submit an application should notify Dawn at the earliest opportunity in order that relevant guidance and support can be given.
Funding Applications Closed for September 2017
The deadline for funding applications for the next Trustees’ meeting has now passed. I am delighted to report that I have received lots of high quality applications from our Centres.
The next funding deadline is 12 noon on Friday 19th January 2018.
I look forward to letting you know about the exciting projects Trustees decide to support in our September newsletter.
Dawn Green,
Karten Network Development Co-ordinator
EyeControl
EyeControl, an Israeli based company are developing an eye controlled communication device that does not require a screen to be placed in front of the user.
The existing devices are very expensive and even if the patient can afford them, the devices require a calibration for every use and a dedicated computer alongside. The current devices limit the communication span to times when the patients are situated in front of a computer screen. They do not enable the patient to communicate in countless situations, varying from lying in bed or being on the go (e.g. wheelchair, car etc.). These limitations are inconvenient for the patients, but much more important – the limitations can endanger patients’ lives.
More information about EyeControl can be found on their website: http://www.eyecontrol.co.il
EyeControl are looking to find someone with marketing of Medical devices/Assistive Tech experience in the UK to either to join the EyeControl team (or work on freelance basis) to assist them with marketing the device in the UK.
Should this be of interest to you, please contact Or Retzkin (E-mail: or@eyecontrol.co.il), CEO of EyeControl.
Funding update – March 2017
Trustees met in March to consider applications for additional funding and were pleased to award grants to the following organisations:
- Cedar Foundation – Belfast and Ballymena, Northern Ireland
- IrsALS – throughout Israel
- Kisharon – Hendon, North London
- Portland College – Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
- The Royal Manchester College, Seashell Trust – Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire
- Treloar’s College – Alton, Hampshire
Watch this space for exciting news and updates as our centres upgrade their equipment. The deadline for applications to be submitted for the Trustees’ meeting in September is 14 July 2017. Applications should be emailed to dawn@karten-network.org.uk.
Please ensure that Dawn is aware that you are planning to submit an application as she will need to arrange a visit to your Centre to discuss your requirements and to support you with the process.