WCIT CHARITY REVIEW
CPOTENTIAL
08
Using assistive technology to help children achieve
their communication potential
Eyegaze has matured
rapidly in recent years,
meeting the needs of
the user as they
progress in their use of
this exciting, innovative
and important piece of
assistive technology
As well as
learning vital
communication
skills in a fun
way, Farah
controls the
activity. This
is so rare in all
aspects of
her life
CPotential works with children aged 0-18
who have movement disorders due to
conditions such as cerebral palsy or acquired
brain injury. Many of the children also have
associated communication difficulties.
CPotential offers a range of Early Intervention
and Sessional Services including speech and
language therapy, music therapy and
Conductive Education. It also runs Woodstar
School, its own independent primary school
and nursery. Its aim is to help children grow in
confidence and skills so that they can live as
independently as possible now and in the
future and achieve their potential.
A grant of £4,340 from WCIT funded a project
in 2017 which combined technology and
highly skilled professionals, including a
speech and language therapist. The aim of
the project was to teach children to
communicate with others through individual
communication systems and provide
structured sessions for the children to
develop these skills.
Assistive technology (including the use of
Eye Gaze and Soundbeam – previously
funded by WCIT in 2015) coupled with a highly
skilled speech and language therapist allows
a personalised approach.
Farah is nine and has severe quadriplegic
cerebral palsy. She is non-verbal and has great
difficulty communicating. Farah is attending
sessions to develop her communication skills,
using her own Eye Gaze computer. She has
been working on tracking objects/pictures
and maintaining her gaze, and responding to
questions with her eyes. These skills give
Farah a sense of control, which is so rare in all
aspects of her life. With Eye Gaze she is
thoroughly enjoying the experience of
playing with her sisters on her terms!
Learning to use the Eye Gaze system means
Farah and children like her can ‘have a voice’.
Calli Pellegrini, Head of Development at
CPotential, said, “The funding from WCIT cuts
to the heart of what we do at CPotential –
give the children the support they need to
make the most of their potential. The ability
to understand, and be understood, forms the
foundation of a child’s ability to learn.
Assistive technology such as Eye Gaze and
Soundbeam are vital tools for us and we are
deeply grateful to WCIT for supporting such
an important aspect of our work.”