Draft:Access Technology North

Access Technology North is a United Kingdom-based assistive technology consultancy providing assessment, training, and support services for disabled children and adults. The organisation works primarily in the areas of communication, learning, leisure, and digital access, including within medico-legal and rehabilitation contexts.[1]

The company’s co-founder Mike Thrussell developed Access: YouTube, an accessible interface for YouTube intended to reduce cognitive and sensory barriers for disabled users.[2]

History

Access Technology North was founded in 2017 by Mike Thrussell and Kelly Thrussell.[3] The consultancy was established to provide personalised assistive technology support, particularly for individuals with acquired brain injury and complex communication needs.[3]

Since its formation, the company has operated across the UK, working with individuals, families, and professionals in education, rehabilitation, and disability support settings.

Work and services

Access Technology North provides assistive technology assessments, recommendations, and training tailored to individual needs. Its work typically focuses on enabling access to digital tools for communication, education, and daily living.[3]

According to a feature article in NR Times, the organisation works with individuals, families, and professionals in settings including education, rehabilitation, and medico-legal assessments.[4]

The organisation has operated within clinical, educational, and legal contexts, including supporting rehabilitation teams and case managers working with disabled clients.

Access: YouTube

Access: YouTube is an accessible interface for YouTube designed to simplify navigation and reduce distractions such as advertising, comments, and recommended content. The tool was developed to support users with learning disabilities, autism, and cognitive impairments.[2]

The project was developed in collaboration with Henshaws College and supported by Jisc.[5] It has been referenced in UK government documentation relating to further education learning technology, which noted its role in supporting accessible digital learning environments.[6]

Access: YouTube has also been referenced by disability and education organisations as an example of inclusive digital design.[7][8]

Professional engagement

Representatives of Access Technology North have contributed to professional conferences and training events related to assistive technology and disability support. This has included presentations at sector conferences such as Communication Matters and invited webinars for professional bodies involved in brain injury rehabilitation and case management.[9][10]

See also

  • Assistive technology
  • Augmentative and alternative communication
  • Accessibility

References

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NRTimes20203 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "College launches accessible version of YouTube". Learning Disability Today. February 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Why assistive technology must be people-focused". NR Times. October 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference NRTimes20202 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Assistive website opens YouTube for disabled learners". EdSurge. April 2013.
  6. ^ Government response to the recommendations from the Further Education Learning Technology Action Group (Report). UK Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. 2014.
  7. ^ "ACCESS: YouTube – an accessible version of YouTube". LINK Magazine. Autism-Europe. 2015.
  8. ^ "Simpler access to YouTube". CALL Scotland. June 2020.
  9. ^ Communication Matters Conference Book of Abstracts. Communication Matters. 2018.
  10. ^ "Assistive Technology Intervention: Delivering Positive Outcomes". BABICM. July 2024.

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