Author: Richard Lohan
Moving on up – using Rix and Multi Me software to support smooth transitions
This is a free online event for education, health and social care professionals, and families and carers, with opportunities to ask questions and share best practice.
- Thursday 16 June 2022
- 11am – 12.30pm
- Online via Teams
Transitions can be exciting moments of change in our lives. They can also be times of great anxiety and turbulence, which can have a negative impact on wellbeing and confidence. This event explores a range of real-life transitions and demonstrates how the Rix and Multi Me tools have been used to support people through these challenges and help make transitions successful. Delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain expert advice from professionals and carers who are already using these innovative tools to help navigate through periods of change in the lives of the people they support.
Outcomes of our event
- Learn from practitioners, families and carers who use Rix software to manage successful transitions
- Find out how the Rix Multi Me toolkit can support transitions for the people you support
- Network with experienced professionals working in the education, health and social care sectors
- Connect with carers and service users to hear how they use the Rix software effectively
- Special offers for attendees including free software advice slot and free trials of our software
Please see below for the full agenda.
You can book a place at this free event via Eventbrite.
Please share this invitation with colleagues within and outside your organisation.
We met with Kayla Milner, Payton Wemert and Letty Thym to find out about their experience as Rix interns on the CAPA programme.
What were you doing before you came over to London as Rix interns?
PW
I was on track to be a double major in marketing and economics and I was also interning for a nonprofit. I’m profoundly deaf and I have two cochlear implants. Growing up I’ve always been integrated into what we would call mainstream society. I went to mainstream schools, did very well, but I’ve always had a heart for the disabled, a heart for the people that have a lack of communication. I feel like there’s a lack of awareness and a lack of understanding around disability and I’ve always wanted to bridge that gap.
KM
I’m a second year student at Samford University and I’m currently studying psychology and neuroscience. I’ve loved having this experience here just to help me figure out where I want to specialise in the future.
LT
I go to Hollins University, which is an all women’s liberal arts school in Virginia and I am majoring in psychology. I’m very interested in child development and I’m playing with the idea of maybe doing research or maybe going through down the counselling for adolescents and children route. I really enjoyed this internship because I myself have a mild learning disability. I have slow processing speed, my brain does work differently than other people and I take more time to do things.
What it was like for you when you first sat down and worked with and communicated with people with learning disabilities?
LT
For me, I immediately went into that role when I’m with children, where I’m excited to be with them and to see their unique traits and get to know them. When I sat down with Danny, it just felt very natural for me and I really admired the different ways he communicated – I was excited to get to know him so it was enjoyable for me.
KM
I don’t particularly remember my first one, but I think my favourite one was when Payton and I had lunch with Kieran, one of the co-researchers. She’s so much fun and she’s a lovely person and I just really enjoyed getting to know her a little bit more on a personal level.
Did you find that you had to modify your communication to make sure that there was understanding between you?
PW
I think I’m always adjusting for conversations for anybody who I talk to, in terms of the level of conversation that we’re having, the different tones of conversation. But when talking to a person with learning disabilities I always take care to be aware of context, contextual clues and asking them questions about themselves first so that they feel comfortable to share, but I try to treat it like any other conversation and I think that’s the most important part. With the Rix Centre, my first experience was actually working with Ajay on the Rix Wiki. I didn’t realise that we also employed people with learning disabilities and I think that’s a true reflection of the Rix Centre in terms of how we want to include them and work with them.
What will you do next and what is the biggest take away for you?
LT
Hopefully I’ll be doing an internship this summer and then I’ll probably also be working. My biggest take away is that I learned so much about how neglected people with learning disabilities are in America. It’s given me a bit of a spark to do more research on what the initiatives are in terms of accommodations for individuals and maybe trying to see if there are any nonprofit organisations working on changing these issues, and what the picture is state to state. But yeah, that’s my take away, how important it is what y’all are doing and how important it is to see if it’s being done in America.
KM
So this summer, I’m working as a camp director at a camp so I think that’s kind of like my next plan. I’ve loved working here because I’ve been involved in such a broad range of activities and projects. My biggest take away is learning how to work in a team, work with different interns and also work with the co-researchers. We’ve done a lot of analysis and I’ve really enjoyed that and I’ve enjoyed being creative and getting to work at Charlton Park – I feel like I’ve learned so much over the past few months .
PW
When I get back home I’ll be hanging out with family, doing courses and then I’ll be back up at Samford University in the fall. This internship has given me a renewed interest in what I wanted to do. This is the type of work I want to be doing and I’ve gotten a lot of business opportunities through Craig with the SWAT analysis and building the social media platforms and it’s renewed that spark of marketing, promoting, including and spreading awareness.
Can you tell us about your first experience working with or observing the children with profound and multiple disabilities that you met at Charlton Park Academy?
PW
I was very impressed with how quick they are. Once you give them the tools to succeed, they can go figure out the next step. I sat in on a data class and they learned how to code. They were making things above my level and I felt very honoured to be in the room with them.
KM
One of my favourite experiences was when they were playing Red Light Green Light and whether they were in a wheelchair or could walk or were using a walker, they all participated in that game and I’ve just never seen anything like that. I caught myself thinking, this is really what community inclusion is, including them all in the game and not leaving anyone out.
LT
My main impression of the technology was that this stuff needs to be more available to people. Using Eyegaze, one student could use his eyes to communicate and he was able to do everything they were asking the class to do. In America, you see these children who don’t have access to that and aren’t able to be included in the same way.
Why would you recommend having a placement at the Rix Centre?
PW
Interning at the Rix Centre provides you with support and encouragement to reach out and communicate with people with all levels of learning disability, as well as with co-workers. I’ve had Letty and Kayla throughout this semester and we’ve been able to really reflect and kind of walk with each other and learn from each other. I think it’s very important to have this experience because it helps you adjust your expectations for community conversations later on in life, whether that’s with a stranger or family or a lifelong friend.
KM
I think the biggest thing that I achieved here was learning to communicate and learning truly what inclusion is because I feel like you guys do inclusion so well. Having the co-research team and having people with learning disabilities on the team here, it’s like a microcosm of what the world should look like. I had never really been exposed to too much of this before. Usually people with special needs or learning disabilities are separated from the mainstream schools and I think, with the right technology and the right resources, we can truly achieve a fully inclusive community. Interning at Rix teaches you how to work in a team, communicate with others, develop new skills in research and database analysis and learn about inclusion and people with learning disabilities.
LT
I think it’s really important to intern here so that you’re more informed and you will be inspired to take what you’ve learned back to America because people need to know about this.
At Rix, we see interns and students as little seeds. What would be that little seed that you will plant?
KM
In my perfect world there would be someone with a learning disability speaking at every level of government, maybe starting in school councils in the US. I would like to start promoting that, including them in every level of life.
PW
We had a conversation about diversity at the very beginning of the internship and I think it goes for more than just learning disabled people, but also just increasing awareness and just keep talking and sharing about it. Also, photography is one of my hobbies and working at Rix has inspired me to do more with that and use it to share stories of people and as an outlet for people to express their feelings.
LT
I’m interested to see what America is doing because I don’t think they’re doing enough. And you know, I’ve been through that – I’ve seen it in the school system. I see myself doing policy work and trying to create change for everyone at a federal level because it’s so hard at the state level because states do not communicate with each other. And I’m interested in seeing what technology is available in America as well.
A big thank you and all the best for the future to Kayla, Peyton and Letty
We spoke to Ajay Choksi, member of the Rix team and peer support champion, about his work at The Rix Centre and his interest in research
Ajay, please tell us a bit about yourself
I have an intellectual disability and I’m passionate about digital inclusion, accessibility and design. I’m really interested in using different devices like my iPad, smartphone and laptop.
What do you use those devices for?
I make photo collages and do graphics work and video editing. I take photos and video on my iPad and use these to tell my story. I add them to my Wiki to inspire people.
What is a Wiki?
A Wiki is an easy-build website. You can add photos, video and sound to tell people about yourself, your hopes and dreams and anything else you want to share with others.
Who can see the Wiki?
You can invite people to view your Wiki by using the Invite button. I share my Wiki with other staff, social workers, service users and others by sending them an invite from the Wiki software. I also share my Wiki on screen during meetings and presentations and when I’m teaching other people how to build their own Wiki.
How does it feel to share your story with other people?
It’s important to share my Wiki, it makes me feel proud and confident because I am speaking up and working on my advocacy and leadership skills.
Why is that important?
So that other people can see how they can speak up for themselves with their stories. It’s an easier way for people with learning disabilities to be heard and to have a voice.
How many Wikis do you have?
I’ve built lots of Wikis.
Ajay Advice 3 is about me and has advice about being independent.
I use my Research Wiki to help me learn how to be a researcher – it has lots of information about the different Rix Research projects I’ve worked on.
I use my Advocacy and Leadership Wiki to keep a record of my learning and skills development in these areas.
We also have project Wikis like MYS (Me and Your Stories), Aspire (Zoom training) and purpleSTARS (Museum of London).
Where can we see examples of your Wiki work?
There’s a link to Ajay Advice 3 below and you can also check out the Me and Your Stories (MYS) Wiki. Me and Your Stories is a European partnership project all about storytelling and how we can use digital devices and special software in the classroom to capture and share our stories.
The PRSB is delighted to welcome Rix Inclusive Research, a technology firm specialising in helping people with intellectual disabilities, as the latest organisation to become a PRSB Standards Partner and join in our mission to accelerate the adoption and meaningful use of standards.
Rix Inclusive Research carries out research and develops digital tools for the benefit of people with intellectual disabilities, and promotes their use across education, health and care. Working from the Rix Centre at the University of East London, the Rix team co-develops highly accessible multimedia software tools with people with a learning disability, autism and dementia, their families and carers and the spectrum of organisations and professionals that work with them.
Speaking about this new partnership, Director of Rix Inclusive Research, Andy Minnion said: “Our aim is to help people help themselves. The accurate sharing of data across care settings and geographical boundaries is integral to this, and we are working to demonstrate the tangible benefits, but also the risks and consequences of failing to do so. Aligning with PRSB standards is a progressive and positive step forward in that journey.”
Rix tools help people advocate on their own behalf as well as through their carers, and this in turn leads to more person centred care and support services. The Centre’s flagship product, the Rix Wiki, has been adopted by local authorities, CCGs, care provider organisations, schools and colleges across England and Wales and is a selected Innovation with NHS England’s National Innovation Accelerator programme (2020).
The Rix Centre sees partnership with the PRSB and its community of practice as a critical part of helping health and care services to engage more effectively with people with disabilities so that their information and insights, as well as those of their carers, can improve the provision of person centred care.
Professor Andy Minnion, Rix Director, underlines the importance of the new partnership: “In order to facilitate effective personalised and person centred integrated care, we want to enable the straightforward, secure and efficient sharing of information for the growing number of citizens who hold their personal health and care data on their own digital devices. Alignment with the PRSB’s About Me information standard is essential for the long-term success of this programme.”
“It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Andy and his team at Rix Media and Research as a PRSB Standards Partner. Their drive to improve care and empower the individual speaks volumes about the projects they are leading on, and I’m delighted to have formed an alliance with such an innovative team.” Lorraine Foley, PRSB CEO
The Me and Your Stories project looks at how we can support digital inclusion through the sharing of stories. Our final conference takes place in person and online on Thursday 17 March, 10am-1pm
We are excited to announce that the Me and Your Stories conference will feature Keynotes from
Professor the Baroness Sheila Hollins, Beyond Words
Shamima Akhtar, Policy Connect
We will also have presentations from Abingdon and Witney College, Charlton Park Academy and the Rix team here at UEL.
Delegates can attend in person or remotely – book online for more details
Our Keynote speakers
Professor the Baroness Sheila Hollins, Beyond Words
Sheila is the Beyond Words Founder, Chair of trustees, and Editor of the Books Beyond Words series. She is Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability at St George’s, University of London, and sits in the House of Lords as an independent crossbench peer.
Shamima Akhtar, Policy Connect
Shamima works on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology.
She has experience in the Disabled People’s Organisation sector where she worked on policy and campaigns related to Covid-19. She also has a keen interest in accessible and assistive technology (ATech).
Special guest
We are very excited to announce that Abdi Omar will be closing our conference after the panel discussion. Abdi’s years of experience showing the world that cerebral palsy is his strength now see him travelling the world to motivate others. Abdi will share his story, How technology changed my life. You can find out more about Abdi’s inspiring work on his website.
The Me and Your Stories (MYS) project is hosting an international, interactive, hands-on conference that brings together European leaders with practitioners and developers to share and explore the ways in which new digital tools can make inclusion exciting.
The MYS conference is aimed at practitioners working in places like schools, colleges, community centres and museums and there are still places available, both online and face-to-face.
The day will be packed with presentations, interactive workshops and discussions, all of which will provide you with creative ideas on how to use innovative digital tools to promote inclusion within your organisations and communities.
We encourage early bookings – there are still places available but experience shows that these go quickly!
Me and Your Stories Conference
Thursday 17 March
10am-3.30pm
Knowledge Dock Building, University of East London and online
Following the success of the purpleSTARS sensory exploration, London is the place for me, the Museum of London has offered to extend the show until 23 January 2022.
The purpleSTARS had been working on the project throughout lockdown, including attending 20 weekly Zoom meetings, so they’d been on quite a journey by the time London is the place for me opened in September 2021.
The Rix Centre invited people to the museum’s Talking Point gallery on Tuesday 30 November to celebrate the success and popularity of the sensory display.
This is a special display…specifically set up in a space in the museum where we can experiment and try things out for the first time and do things in a different way.
Vandana Patel, Museum of London
Over 800 visitors have already used Ultraleap’s unique touch-free technology to complete a Rix EasySurvey and give their feedback. 70% of visitors said that the display was interesting and prompted them to think about their own Londoner experience. Over 90% said that the display had increased their knowledge about the lives of Londoners in the past.
The project has been really fun and we should make museums fun. Allow people to learn, get up close and touch everything.
Samantha Walker, purpleSTARS
Find out more about the purpleSTARS and London is the place for me below
Following the success of our recent MYS conference, we’d like to share some video highlights of the event.
Over 40 people attended on the day and the project will now move into a testing phase, trying out the MYS toolkit in different classrooms across Europe. We all look forward to meeting up again at the end of project conference on 17 March 2022.
Many thanks to Abby Hanby for compiling the video highlights.
Here are two more videos from the conference
The purpleSTARS are a group of people with and without learning difficulties based at the Rix Centre who work together to make museums more inclusive.
Their aim is for everyone to make personal connections and really enjoy their visits, whatever their background or abilities.
This new free display in the Museum of London’s Talking Point gallery, features sensory elements from sounds to images and even smells, explores the lives of Londoners past and present and invites visitors to reflect on their own experiences of the capital.
During lockdown, as part of this project, the purpleSTARS listened to recordings made over the past 80 years from the Museum of London’s oral history collection.
They recorded their thoughts about these stories during video meetings and made connections to their own experiences as Londoners, using a Rix Wiki to capture this journey of exploration.
We picked out themes that are important and interesting to us, Equality, Cinema, Style and Travel. Listening to some oral histories inspired us to come up with our own messages about equality as Londoners.
The purpleSTARS then looked for images and objects from the museum that matched these themes and incorporated touch and smell into their displays to give people a multisensory experience of the stories that were emerging.
Visitors to the Talking Point gallery will be able to explore these stories using new touchless technology from project partners, Ultraleap.
The display opens on 3 September and runs until 17 December
Pre-book your tickets here
Find out more about how purpleSTARS recorded their journey into the past by visiting their Rix Wiki
If you own a car, you’ll be familiar with the MOT, an annual health check for your vehicle that gives you pointers and advice about any repairs needed to keep your car running smoothly.
Rix have developed an MOT for your school or organisation. Our MOT checks your readiness to use new digital tools that could transform practice and improve outcomes for the people you teach and support.
Whether you feel your organisation is already using person centred, inclusive technology or has a little way to go, our audit will benchmark your current status and give you ideas to help you take the next steps towards digital inclusion.
We understand how busy people are, so our quick MOT is designed to be completed within a few minutes. Respond by selecting the statements which best describe your school or social care organisation.
Rix will use your responses to generate a unique report of your current status in the following areas:
- Person centred practice and processes
- Culture and confidence
- ICT equipment and software
- Connectivity
In addition to the report, we will include a set of corresponding actions to help you take the next step on your inclusive digital journey. These actions can form the basis of your organisation’s action plan.
If you are a school, multi academy trust or college, start here
If you are a social care provider, start here
To find out more about our software, visit the Rix Software website
MYS – Me and Your Stories – is a pan-European project that puts the learner at the heart of the community and the classroom by providing powerful storytelling tools on a digital platform.
Sharing stories helps people understand and celebrate difference. The MYS toolbox enables young people to share their own stories, as well as reflect on each other’s, by capturing their voices, thoughts and experiences using photos and videos.
This project supports inclusion by making it easier for everyone to have a voice and for all those voices to be heard as part of a bigger conversation about diversity and difference.
The MYS conference on Thursday 14 October is an opportunity for educators and people who support people with learning disabilities to come together, be inspired, and share ideas about the different ways in which we can use digital to open up the world to people who are more likely to be excluded from it.
Dr Nicola Grove, an expert in the field of storytelling, will be the keynote speaker at the conference.
I believe passionately in the value of the lives of all individuals, linked to each other through our shared stories.
Through stories we find out about new experiences and ideas, develop empathy and imagination, and learn how to face challenges and solve problems.
Nicola Grove
Book your free place for the MYS conference now – limited places available