The Sound of Independence: Supporting Laura with Assistive Technology
By Toby Wallace, Assistive Technologist (North Region Team, Leonard Cheshire)
When I first met Laura, it was clear she had a wicked sense of humour, a fierce loyalty to Newcastle United, and a mind that was constantly working—despite how often her body has been underestimated.
Despite being cognitively sharp, Laura’s physical support needs meant she couldn’t move around independently or control her environment. And until recently, no one had asked her what she actually wanted. The focus had always been communication—understandably so—but that focus often came through the lens of others’ expectations, not Laura’s own voice.
That changed when we used Talking Mats—first with one of our partners from ACE Centre and then later with support from our local AT team—to really understand Laura’s goals. That’s when she told us something simple but powerful: she wanted control over her environment. Not just to say more things, but to do more things for herself.
So we got to work.
Commutative comfort within easy reach
Together with Nathan (my northern team partner-in-crime), we set up a temporary Grid Pad 12 communication device from Smartbox in Laura’s room, paired with a Pretorian Bluetooth adapter and a button switch, mounted to her chair in a position she could intentionally hit with her left arm. It wasn’t perfect right away—we spent some time finding the perfect spot where she could activate the button comfortably—but Laura was patient and determined.
We configured the Grid Pad to work with Alexa so she could control things like her TV, fan, and even the radio. One of my favourite moments was when, on a sweltering hot day, Laura beamed after turning on her fan all by herself for the first time. Immediately feeling that cool breeze after her own control was absolutely amazing. And that smile? It stayed with me all day.
She’s now using auditory scanning to navigate her Grid Pad menus and trigger Alexa commands, and every time we visit, she’s more confident, more in control, and a little bit cheekier.
Speaking of cheeky—one moment that still makes us laugh happened during setup. Nathan, who’s dyslexic, had been programming Laura’s Alexa commands. He was trying to set it up so she could ask for Smooth Radio… but accidentally typed in “Smooth Rod.” Let’s just say Laura loved it. She laughed for 15 straight minutes and wouldn’t let us live it down for a while.
Her parents have also gotten involved, practising voice commands themselves—though Laura is quick to correct them if they mess it up. It’s been a beautiful shift, watching Laura not just use the tech but own it.
From tool to turning point
What’s been most powerful is how Laura has become an ambassador for what’s possible. Word about Laura’s success has spread to other residents, who are now inquiring to learn more about technology they could benefit from learning. She has even begun to advocate for the AT team to quickly begin working with her peers – sharing is caring!
This isn’t just about a fan or a TV or a radio. It’s about independence. About self-determination. About building a support system that listens to Laura and moves at her pace, not anyone else’s. These technologies have not only empowered Laura but have enabled those around her to see her abilities rather than limitations – her sharpness, her preferences, and her humour.
Next up: the RECS office in Newcastle is coming for a visit with Laura for a meeting to explore next steps. She’s excited about the tech road ahead of her—and honestly, so are we.
Working with Laura has been one of those experiences that reminds me why we do what we do. With the right tools, a bit of creativity, and a good laugh along the way, real change is possible.