The Tech4Good Awards shine a light on the amazing people who use technology to make the world a better, more inclusive place and there is no better example of this than double-award winners SpecialEffect. They help disabled people of all ages play computer games by adapting standard gaming equipment to cater for a wide range of needs, and in 2014 they won both the Accessibility Award and the Winner of Winners Award, voted for by the live audience at the Tech4Good Awards Ceremony.
The charity has grown rapidly since being founded in 2007 and has helped hundreds of people of all ages and medical conditions, whether in hospital, hospices or their own home. As well as working directly with individuals they also work with organisations like Great Ormond Street Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and The Children’s Trust.
Mark Saville, Communications, says winning the awards was just part of an incredible year:
“Demand for our services has rocketed in the UK and worldwide, and we’ve continued to help as many people as we can to experience the fun and inclusion of video games. We brought together the whole of the UK’s gaming community in an amazing gaming marathon weekend in February and have branched out into new areas – for example we can now help severely disabled people produce 3D sculptures just by using their eyes.”
“The Tech4Good Awards have been fantastic for us. We’re humbled to have had the recognition of major tech players, and the boost for our staff was evident right from the day after the Awards. It’s raised awareness of our work, and enabled us to approach funders with greater and more relevant credibility. It’s also been an extremely useful proof of integrity for potential partners in our research and development work.”
“At the heart of it all has been our work with people who, without technology, wouldn’t otherwise be on a level playing field with their family and friends.”
Learn more about SpecialEffect on the Tech4Good website, or visit their website to see the incredible impact that SpecialEffect has on the lives of people of all ages and disabilities.
