Guide Dogs UK

Sync have teamed up with Guide Dogs to support the charity’s ‘Tech for All’ scheme, a programme aimed at improving the wellbeing and autonomy of children living with visual impairments through assistive technology. With features such as magnification, VoiceOver and audio descriptions, day to day activities are made much easier. Technology in schools is becoming more common place so it is just as important for children to have access to a device outside of the classroom.

Tech for All provides free assistive technology to children with a vision impairment aged 3 – 18 in the UK. With built-in accessibility features, iPad allows children to play their favourite games, listen to music or connect with family and friends in a format that works best for them.

Method of Delivery

Sync is joining the project to support Guide Dogs in the procurement of devices going forward, and officially commencing the partnership in October 2022.

The continuation of the Tech for All service follows its pilot scheme in 2021, where 5,000 devices including iPhone and iPad were given to children with visual impairments.

Delivery

Tech for All has helped to significantly improve children’s confidence, creativity and independence. The results of a survey completed by users indicated that after just four months with a device, a child’s reported autonomy increased by 18%, engagement by 13% and sociability by 5% on average.

Tom Crump, Head of Sales at Sync, commented: ‘We’re immensely proud to be entering into partnership with Guide Dogs, and to be supporting the organisation’s brilliant Tech for All programme. The scheme has been created with children’s needs in mind, and we have always felt strongly that technology is a great way to maximise both a child’s confidence and autonomy.

‘The technology provided is easy to use by design and Guide Dogs has uploaded tutorial guidance online for families seeking further assistance once their child receives their iPad.’

Head of Operations at Sync, Scott Bordoni added: ‘Sync has long recognised the need for strong partnerships not only with schools and Academy Trusts, but also charitable organisations that support learning and development. We know that iPad has incredible educational benefits, but the use of the devices in the Tech For All scheme also allows children to socialise with family, friends and classmates from the comfort of their own home.’

Emma Foulds, Director of Marketing and Strategy at Guide Dogs, also added: ‘Tech for All has been designed to enable children with sight loss to be more independent and do whatever it is they want to do. We know how important these devices are to your child’s development — both to support their learning at home or to explore the activities and interests they enjoy. The accessibility features on an iPad or iPhone will prove key to unlocking and maximising a child’s potential.’