iDiversity Consulting Ltd are happy to announce they have recently achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification! ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a framework for organizations to manage information security risks and protect their confidential information.
Jay Cochran, COO of iDiversity, says “We are proud to be awarded ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, demonstrating our commitment to providing our clients with the highest quality services and support, whilst also ensuring the best possible protection for their data”.
To achieve ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, iDiversity underwent an assessment process which involved reviewing security policies and procedures by testing their effectiveness. By being awarded this certification it demonstrates a commitment to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our clients’ information including intellectual property, data, and financial information.
In conclusion, the certification is a very welcome addition to help prevent data breaches and other security incidents, whilst ensuring our customers continue to feel confident in iDiversity.
The iDiversity Coaching Conference aims to share best practice for coaching in the workplace, particularly for neurodivergent clients, promoting inclusion and disability confidence.
Themes for the day include; Coaching Techniques, Emerging Trends in Coaching, Coaching Leaders to enable inclusive workplaces, Clean Language for Neurodivergent clients, together with an introduction to the latest captioning and notetaking Assistive Technology and delivering quality Workplace Disability Needs Assessments.
This conference will also feature a Keynote Presentation: Practices to Encourage and Build Sustainable Habits for Good. Sara Milne-Rowe, Performance Coach & Author of ‘The SHED Approach – Making Better Choices When It Matters’. Founder/CEO of Coaching Impact Ltd.
Agenda
9.15am – Introduction to iDiversity, Coaching & Workplace Adjustments. Janine King CEO.
9.20am – Keynote Presentation: Practices to Encourage and Build Sustainable Habits for Good. Sara Milne Rowe : High Performance Coach, Founder & CEO, Author of ‘The Shed Method’.
10.15 am – Coaching for Leaders to support Neurodiversity and enable Inclusion and Disability Confidence in the workplace. David Kidd BSc, MA Education and ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors, EMCC.
10.55am – Break.
11.05 am – Emerging Trends in Coaching. Victoria Wilkin BSc (Hons) Psych; MSc Occ Psych; PGCE (QTS); ILM Level 5 Coach & Mentor: ILM Neurodiversity Coach. BPS Test User: Occupational Ability and Personality; Counselling Course (QUT, Australia).
11.40 am – Coaching Questioning Techniques to help clients explore their Options and Problem Solve. Chris Stribblehill – ILM level V certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Management; NLP practitioner, Clean Language Facilitator; with certificates in coaching supervision, career coaching, business coaching, life coach.
12.20pm – Lunch.
1.10 pm – Introduction to new assistive technology, transforming captioning and note-taking using Messenger Pigeon Pro for the workplace. Habitat Learn [Headline Sponsor].
1.45pm – Incorporating Clean Language into Coaching for Neurodivergent Clients. Dr Tanya Banfield.
2.40pm – Delivering Quality Workplace Needs Assessments. Chris Collier BA(Hons) Ling, PGCE, PGCert Business Leadership and Innovation.
There will be the main exhibition room and 3 different breakout rooms where the suppliers can demonstrate their software and hardware products to you.
These events are suitable for Learning Support Staff, Assessors, Disability Advisors, AT specialists and other professionals working in roles to support FE and HE students and Access to Work areas also. It is open to everyone in the UK.
iDiversity Consulting will be bringing together the very best Assistive Technology publishers to showcase new and innovating projects that follow a theme of supporting students through collaboration, inclusivity and accessibility.
Exhibitors Attending
Habitat Learn (Headline Sponsor) – have recently launched their new captioning and note-taking solution ‘Messenger Pigeon’.
Iansyst – supporting Needs Assessors & providing complete AT solutions, ergonomic assessments, training & helpdesk support.
Texthelp – provides an extensive software range of literacy & reading support, advanced spelling and also math support solutions .
Spellex – comprehensive literacy support software, including enhanced vocabulary and dictionary options.
Jamworks – new accessibility suite of software for students consisting of Jamworks Notes and Jamworks Captions .
Booost Education – delivers apps for students to organise tasks, optimise time & has recently launched ‘Luna’ learning support.
Douglas Stewart – Distibutor of many products that assist with learning. From software such as Nuance Dragon, to hardware like the NEO lab smart pen.
Phonak – committed to developing, producing, and distributing life-changing hearing solutions for more than 75 years.
Book My Assesment – deliver the highest quality assessment services which enable disabled students to access the specialist equipment and support they need to fulfil their potential at university or college.
Carescribe – offer Caption.Ed for education solutions including accessible captioning, transcript options and advanced note-taking support.
Too much information to process, summarise and learn from?
Taking good notes is a vital skillset, not only in education but the workplace too. Note taking is the largest academic support and to be an effective student or employee, the expectation is that you’ll keep notes.
But we’re never really taught how to take effective notes, and moreover never told what to do with them afterwards – we’re just told they’re useful.
Students also receive PowerPoint or PDF slide presentations, citations, media images, audio and video content which needs to be digested, summarised, and assimilated into our notes.
Messenger Pigeon enables students to record lecture content, which is turned into an accurate automated transcription, make their own notes or request notes from a human note taker and then use an intelligent Study Assistant to help them engage with all their learning material.
Messenger Pigeon Key features
Cross-platform availability: Messenger Pigeon App is accessible on smartphones, tablets/iPads, browsers, and desktops, providing users with flexibility and convenience across multiple devices.
Fig.1 Browser and laptop version
Fig.2 Mobile version
Generative AI Personal or Study Assistant: Messenger Pigeon’s Assistant is powered by a Large Language Model specifically designed for education. It has been approved by learning strategists in the education industry, offering valuable support to students.
Multi-screen display: Users can simultaneously view the transcript, their own notes, and make Study Assistant queries on multiple screens, enhancing their study experience and productivity.
Modern and intuitive design: Messenger Pigeon has a user-friendly and visually appealing interface that prioritises the needs and preferences of users, making it easy to navigate and use effectively.
Emoticon tagging: Content within the app can be tagged with emoticons, allowing users to express emotions or sentiments related to specific study materials, adding a personalised touch to their learning process.
Grammarly integration: Messenger Pigeon seamlessly integrates with Grammarly, a popular grammar and writing enhancement tool, enabling users to improve the quality and accuracy of their written work.
Messenger Pigeon Study Assistant
Quiz and Test Preparations:
Make me a study quiz based on this text.
Can you quiz me on the content covered in this lecture to test my understanding?
Help me study by asking me 5 questions about this information.
Can you give me some examples or real-life applications of the concepts discussed in this lecture?
Study Material Analysis:
Make me a list of keywords and topic found in this text.
Are there any key terms or vocabulary words i should focus on in this lecture?
Can you summarize the main points of this lecture?
Can you explain the concept of [insert topic here] in simpler terms?
Can you provide any additional tips or study strategies for mastering this material?
Resource and Reference Assistance:
Are there any resouces or articles you can recommend for further understanding of this topic?
Study Aid Creation
Can you help me create flashcards for the important terms and concepts in this lecture?
Can you help me create an outline or summary of this lecture for easier studying?
Browser and Desktop Versions
Browser and desktop versions
•Messenger Pigeon automatically syncs mobile app with desktop or browser version
•Student can write own notes, copy and paste text from the transcript or request curated notes from a note taker
•Study assistant helps student engage with their lecture content
Assistive Technology & Disability Solutions Event
Habitat Learn will be exhibiting at our Assistive Technology event in Belfast on Wednesday 6th September 2023. To book your free ticket click the image below.
iDiversity Consulting in partnership with Iansyst Ltd welcomes you to attend an event to raise awareness of the latest Assistive Technology solutions.
This event is designed to bring together the very best Assistive Technology publishers to showcase new and innovating projects that follow a theme of supporting disabled students in various stages of education and into the workplace.
The event will include a keynote presentation with a focus on ADHD and will showcase innovations in Assistive Technology software.
Exhibitors Attending
Jamworks – Headline Sponsor
FindMyFlow
Scholarcy
TextHelp
Glean
Inspiration
Caption.Ed
Spellex
Event Agenda (Final agenda to be confirmed)
9.00: Registration. Refreshments available.
9.30: Welcome – Introduction from Gill Hudson Director at Iansyst Ltd.
9.45: Keynote Presentation: TBC
10.20: AT Presentation.
10:40: AT Presentation.
11: 00: Refreshment break.
11.20: AT Presentation.
11:40: AT Presentation.
12:00: AT Presentation.
12.20: Lunch and an opportunity to meet the exhibitors.
13:10: AT Presentation.
13:30: AT Presentation.
13:50: Refreshment Break.
14:10: AT Presentation.
14:30: AT Presentation.
15:00: Refreshments & Close. All attendees will receive a CPD certificate.
iDiversity Consulting in partnership with Iansyst Ltd welcomes you to take part in this exclusive event held in Dundee to bring a hands-on approach to an Assistive Technology event.
CPD certificates will be issued for each session as completing a ‘training workshop’, not just attendance at an overall CPD exhibition event.
iDiversity Consulting in partnership with Dyslexia Matters and Iansyst Ltd welcome you to attend an event to raise awareness of technology approaches to support dyslexia students in education. This event is designed to help professionals support neurodiverse students in an education environment. It will include latest developments in assistive technology software.
We are teaming up with Dyslexia Matters to bring the latest AT solutions to Cambridge so people can get a chance to see these new software innovations in person.
We are also having up a range of keynote presentations and will showcase innovations in Assistive Technology software. Providing opportunity to reach out to each exhibitor and catch up about all the latest products and services
Technological progress over the past 50 years has been utterly astonishing. The internet has only existed for thirty-one years, and has only become widely used more recently. In the last 10 years, the introduction of smart phone has both connected the world, and simultaneously put all of its knowledge in the palm of your hand. The pace of technological innovation is exponential as we currently see the real-world applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
I truly believe we are on the cusp of fantastic things, particularly when it comes to assistive technology. Every day we are taking steps toward a more accessible world. Did you know that for the first time ever, a project led by the University of Tübingen in Germany has helped a person with motor neurone disease to express himself in full sentences using a new technology capable of reading his thoughts? That was in March!
The future of assistive tech is bright.
Putting our foot on the gas post-pandemic
The pandemic and scramble to online working and education did a lot to increase awareness of assistive technology and its many uses. People are beginning to see the numerous benefits of assistive technology from increasing accessibility to aiding productivity. Society is also starting to have a better understanding of the spectrum of neurodiversity and the ways in which people access the world.
The world is a diverse place, and our working environment should reflect this. When organisations consist only of people from the same backgrounds and beliefs, they often leave diverse ideas and perspectives behind and create tech that only speaks to a narrow cohort of society. As we move forward, tech companies should ensure diversity and inclusion is always front of mind. It’s great to see more businesses taking an active approach to diversity and inclusion post-pandemic but we need to keep these important conversations going.
Assistive tech will no longer be an afterthought
An accessible future means businesses making assistive technology available by default, rather than it being only considered when somebody calls for help. Businesses need to ensure they are arming their teams with the tools they need to do the best job possible, and offering them assistance before they even encounter a problem.
The aim is a more accessible world and assistive technology has so much to offer. I’m sure in a matter of years we will be seeing assistive tech that we currently couldn’t dream up if we tried. Ultimately, the accessibility conversation needs to continue on. We as a society need to ensure we’re putting our foot on the gas when it comes to developing tech and making cultural changes to create a world accessible to everyone. I’m positive about the direction we’re heading. Let’s keep going.
Article provided by Caption.Ed
Caption.Ed provides instant and on-demand captions for almost any live or pre-recorded media. It’s quick and easy to use, simply press start captioning and start your media. To find out more information about this product follow the link HERE
Do you understand the dangers of sitting at a desk for lengthy periods of time? Do you know how to set up display screen equipment so that people can work without interruption? are they feeling strained at their workstation? These simple steps below can help you manage your workspace to make it as comfortable and ergonomic as possible
Eyes should be level with a point on the screen 2”-3” below
the top.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
According to patient.co.uk, neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints. About 2/3 of the population will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Poorly positioned screens cause users to adopt straining neck positions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”25746″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Keyboards
‘H’ key in line with the centre of the user’s body.
Plenty of space in front of the keyboard to rest hands and forearms.
Wrists and forearms kept straight and not need to stretch or bend.
Arms bent at or near a 90 degree angle at the elbows.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
Statistics from the Labour Force Survey suggest that there are over 200,000 cases of work-related upper limb disorders (ULD), including repetitive strain, every year in Great Britain. Poorly positioned keyboards place strain on wrists and forearms, which will lead to repetitive strain disorders, e.g. carpal tunnel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”25747″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Mouse
Fits comfortably in the user’s hand – fingers in a relaxed position.
Supports the neutral position of the user’s wrist.
Placed near the keyboard and within easy reach.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
Having to overreach for the mouse or hold it too close to
the body will lead to repetitive strain disorders[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”25748″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Work Surface
Made of a low-retectance material, e.g. wood.
Enough room above and under the surface – user can adjust their legs and arms comfortably.
Is a suitable height – user’s elbows should be bent at.
or near a 90 degree angle when resting forearms on it.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
Materials that cause light to reflect can cause glare and make people adopt awkward postures to avoid it. A lack of room for adjustment means people will retain static positions, leading to stiffness and fatigue in joints.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”25749″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Chairs
User’s feet flat on the floor.
Knees bent at roughly 90 degrees.
Footrest provided if needed.
Lumbar support for the user’s lower back.
1 inch between the user’s legs and the sides of the chair.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common form of occupational ill-health in the UK, they accounted for an est. 553,000 out of the 1.2 million work related illnesses reported). An inappropriate chair will lead to the user adopting poor posture and as a result strain being placed on the upper and lower back. This will lead to musculoskeletal disorders in the back and upper limbs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”25768″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Stretching and breaks
Users should get up at least once an hour so to stretch and change their position.
Users should carry out small exercises at or away from their desk to prevent prolonged strain.
Users should take their designated breaks and break up long periods of DSE work with other tasks.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Why?
Regular stretching will relieve tension and strain, while breaks will give their body a chance to relax and recuperate after intense work periods.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
