AN entertainment and communication system designed to help disabled people has been unveiled by a Malvern firm.

Assistive Control has named the new system Helpmate.

The system provides a simple and effective way of helping individuals independently enjoy books, DVDs, music and photos, whilst providing a choice of symbol based communication options.

Based on a touchscreen tablet PC, the system is suitable for children and adults with severe physical or cognitive disabilities, with specialist options for the visually impaired.

Using four large onscreen cells and two control cells, Helpmate is extremely flexible and can have additional features added for increased independence. Among these are home controls and also TV controls.

Kate Browne, director at Assistive Control, said: “Occupational Therapy is a brand new exhibition and we are really excited about showcasing one of our biggest assistive technology breakthroughs in years. For too long, being able to access worthwhile activities on a PC, listening to music and browsing photos for example, has been very difficult to achieve for anyone with a disability.

“We’ve spent a lot of time developing a very simple system with a range of access controls that can be seamlessly incorporated into a PC tablet and be used in a way that allows the user to independently search for their favourite books, films and photographs.”

The product has been successfully trialled by individuals and independent specialists and will be available following its launch at the event.

Demand is expected to come from individuals, the education sector, charities and care providers that are looking to make leisure experiences available for all.

For more information visit assistivecontrol.

com/products/helpmate.