Donation boosts disabled computing project (From The Oxford Times)

Donation boosts disabled computing project

5:38pm Tuesday 24th November 2009

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AN OXFORDSHIRE charity that helps severely disabled people communicate with the world has been given a helping hand.

Printing firm Webmart, in Wedgwood Road, Bicester, has donated £12,000 to Charlbury charity Special Effect.

The money will be used to pay for a specialised computer system that will open doors for a child or adult to play games and communicate.

Special Effect has developed computer hardware that allows people to operate the equipment by simply moving their eyes.

A basic computer costs about £12,000 – the biggest cost is a camera built into the screen which tracks eye movement.

Webmart’s donation will pay for a computer that will be loaned to people until a personally-tailored computer is ready for installation.

Special Effect director Mick Donegan said the equipment could be used by a people with a wide range of disabilities, from paralysis and stroke victims to those with cerebral palsy.

The charity is also appealing for donations for a project to create the world’s first fully accessible games suite at Helen and Douglas House, in Oxford.

Another £30,000 is needed to complete the project. Anyone who can help should call 01608 810055 or see specialeffect.org

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