My name is Simon Wilson and I'm a disability trainer and consultant — Scope | Disability forum
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

My name is Simon Wilson and I'm a disability trainer and consultant

simonsable
simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
My name is Simon Wilson. I have Cerebral Palsy, and I have a disability consultancy called SimonsAble, which focuses on promoting independence and equality for disabled people. I work with many people including disabled people, professionals in the disability sector, and families who have disabled children. Whether you are a parent navigating the system to obtain the right equipment and support, or a disabled person planning to live independently, I can advise you on what steps to take and who to contact. I use a communication aid and have a lot of experience in supporting disabled people to make the best use of technology. As a disabled person with no speech, I have been through a lot in my life and feel passionately about helping others, so please get in touch.

I specialise in questions such as:
Direct Payments and managing the employment of Personal Assistants
Communication Aids
Eye Gaze Technology
Transition from school to college
«1

Comments

  • tw25
    tw25 Community member Posts: 17 Listener
    Hi Simon. Inspirational comes to mind. Any how a question i have is due to RSI and chronic pain i struggle on the computer. What tech can you reccomend for the computer mouse mainly. Tried dragon and dont really get on with it.
            Many thanks,
                                       James.
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    Hi James, have you thought about using the mouse with an onscreen keyboard? Microsoft Windows has its onscreen keyboard. Or another idea if you have speech is dictating software.

    Let me know if those sorts of things are any good?

  • tw25
    tw25 Community member Posts: 17 Listener
    Dragon is dictating software and in truth i struggled. Trying to limit using my hands as have RSI + shoulder pain that is currently undiagnosed. I can use a lap top for brief periods but can be quite frustrating. All about trying to find what works for you but as you will no most things on the market are so expensive.
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    Ideally, would you like to use your hands? Or would you prefer to use another part of your body? Let's start from the beginning.


  • tw25
    tw25 Community member Posts: 17 Listener
    Hands free is best for me ty Simon.
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    Have you thought about eye gaze technology?


  • tw25
    tw25 Community member Posts: 17 Listener
    I have been looking into that a little yes. Just wondered if any in particular you could reccomend ty.
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    You can contact Smartbox and ask for someone to show you some eye gaze technology. Their website is https://thinksmartbox.com/


  • tw25
    tw25 Community member Posts: 17 Listener
    Brilliant thank you Simon. Much appreciated
  • johnny100
    johnny100 Community member Posts: 125 Pioneering
    Simon I think tou already gave me an answer to this question.I have had my PIP and beem awarded 2 points only for the preparing meals.My report said I had bad grip in my left hand and numbness in my right fingers,My wife assists me in all my needs ,surely my wifes help should also score more point
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    Hi, are there other things you need assistance with? Is your wife doing stuff that you prefer your PA to do? Did you make it clear that your wife isn't your PA so doesn't help young you with everything?


  • johnny100
    johnny100 Community member Posts: 125 Pioneering
    sorry I was a little muddled with your commemt Simon.I have aleady written a phoned through my complaints over the fimal scoring.As stated my wife helps me to prepare meals but I am not allowed in the kitchem due to dizzyness for which I take Rampril for high blood pressure,also there is a danger of my passing out a vessels being on the cooker etc 
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    I am sorry I don't understand. I think because you have a wife, this has effected your points,. Is that what you're enquiring aboq?

  • johnny100
    johnny100 Community member Posts: 125 Pioneering
    i thought that if you had assistance from the wife you would get extra points.I can prepare with difficulty,i have a problem with restricted grip in my left hand I have dizzy spells for wuich I take Rampril for high blood pressure.my wife will not allow me near the cooker for safety reasoms ,My wife dishes out the food  
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    My understanding was when someone has a partner living with them, the system assumes the partner would help. For example if you were living on your own, you would get more points and more help
  • johnny100
    johnny100 Community member Posts: 125 Pioneering
    but what about the dangers of dizzyness and passing out when the cooker is on,surely the dangers are there,How is the person going to lift on/off hot pans etc.thats why I have been banished from the kitchem.Looking at the PIP points it does mention help
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @johnny100 There is some information here about PIP and eating and drinking that might be useful to you.  You might be better starting a new post and asking a benefits advisor your questions, you can do that here.
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • Bev123
    Bev123 Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hi Simon.I'm a job coach supporting a lovely woman at a well known retailer.  They are great and have made her feel welcome.  Part of my role is assessing my client's job to identify what the most constructively supportive interventions/strategies are.  Also, providing training both to my client and the retailer in raising awareness of my clients needs and how best to enable independence in her job.  I am in the process of discussing with my client her needs but do you have any pointers for us?  I was thinking of an individual/organisation that might be able to assess and give me feedback on what I am thinking of implementing.  Thank you in advance for your time, Simon.  Best wishes, Bev   

       
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @simonsable, would you be able to help with the above please? :)
  • simonsable
    simonsable Community member Posts: 75 Connected
    Hi Bev, what sort of disability does your client has? Are the adjustments to do with physical access or are they sensory?

Brightness