Why we walking to raise funds for AT

There are over 13m disabled people in the UK and many could have a better quality of life if only they had access to assistive technology. That is why 10 members of the British Assistive Technology Association walked on June 16 to raise funds for our projects and those of the RNIB and British Dyslexia Association. All three organisations are committed to pushing forward the boundaries of assistive technology and raising awareness of its benefits but are in urgent need of your support to continue this work.

How BATA will be spending your donation

We are running a number of projects, including a campaign to remove the £200 charge that disabled students are currently asked to pay towards a laptop to run their assistive technology. In protest at this tax on learning we are asking walkers and our supporters to raise £200 each from workmates, friends and family.

Your contribution will fund BDA's helpline

The British Dyslexia Association will be putting your donation towards the cost of running the Association's helpline, which provides invaluable information on assistive technology. "As a specific learning difficulty, dyslexia can affect people in different ways and at different times. The Helpline supports parents and teachers ; it supports students and employers and employees trying to cope in the ever-changing workplace, including pointing all ages towards the use of assistive technology as a useful, lifelong strategy," says the BDA.

RNIB targets Technology for Life

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the UK’s leading charity supporting blind and partially sighted people, offers practical and emotional support to those that need it, so they can continue living life to the full. RNIB believes in the power of technology to assist people with sight loss.

For example, RNIB’s Technology for Life team works alongside its 12 Regional Network Managers across the UK, and local partners, to support their learning, share knowledge, develop their services; we will support, enthuse and enable partners, volunteers, and the connect community to deliver localised technology support services. The RNIB Technology for Life Co-ordinators, one based in each region, will lead and coordinate this work.

Where we will be walking

We will be meeting on June 16 for a 12 mile trek around the shores of the beautiful Derwent Reservoir in the Peak District. This year Derwent Reservoir is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the dam busters raid when the reservoir and dam was used to practice for the famous bombing exploit.Please donate to our walkers via this page and if you are a BATA member and would like to raise funds by walking please contact Sarah-Jane Peake or Nicole Reid .

3D Aerial flyover of the walk (1min!)