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Frequently Asked Questions
Switch access, mounting and AAC is a highly specialist area, please feel welcome to contact us if you have any questions before you consider booking.
While working with customers, we’re constantly learning about their needs and managing inquiries that arise. As a result, we’ve included a list of frequently asked questions along with answers in order to provide additional support. If your question isn’t addressed below, get in touch with us and we’ll provide the information you need.
I already have a speech therapist and an occupational therapist, why do I need you?
Working in Assistive Technology is a highly specialist skill and not many NHS or private therapists have skills in switch access and mounting. Our NHS increasingly have to cut back on what they can provide and therefore may not prioritise this area of work. Bright as a Button is dedicated to your access to technology and can take the time to find the right solutions for you and support you to maintain and develop your skills.
I can't afford regular private therapy for my child/ family member
Bright as a Button is passionate about helping families navigate the assistive technology world. We can complete a one off assessment to get you going on your journey and you are not committing to long term sessions. If you need us further down the line you can ask for a review or a block of sessions at any time.
Is my child appropriate for this service?
Bright as a Button works with individuals where speech is not their main means of communication and who have a physical impairment that means playing, talking, signing, reading, using the computer and other devices the usual way is difficult.
We work with people who have a neurological impairment such as cerebral palsy, brain injury. We can work with children as young as six months old right through to adults. Each person we see is special and unique in their skills and abilities, if you are not sure if this service is suitable please call us to talk about your individual needs.
I get why my child needs to switch but the team that support us don't get it, help!
Bright as a Button is only successful when the whole team around the person is on board to set up the switch, turn on the technology and have lots of ideas to create opportunities for using it effectively. We offer training packages to suit your circumstances to support everyone to get the best out of the switch and technology we recommend.
I want to use eye gaze not switching
Eye gaze technology is a fantastic piece of equipment enabling access to technology for many. Like any technology it doesn't work for everyone. Eye gaze can be tiring, the user looses eye contact with their communication partner and it relies on carers being tech savvy. Sometimes eye gaze is appropriate in one setting but not another. Switch access often works alongside eye gaze as an alternative or back up and its really important to develop both skills at the same time.
What if I am not satisfied with Bright as a Button?
First please let us know so that we can work together and find a solution you are happy with. We will do our very best to make things right.
My family member can't move/ respond very well, can you really help?
Bright as a Button loves a challenge and will always do their very best to exhaust every option to find the best access methods for each individual. This is exactly why this business was started. There are constantly new technologies being developed in this field however there are also lots of simple techniques that can also work effectively.
Equipment is expensive, is there funding available?
Bright as a Button is keen to utilise the many free and low cost solutions where possible to make access to technology affordable for our families. We encourage you to loan equipment before buying to make sure its the right fit for your needs. We believe it is important to demonstrate your skills to help you access funding rather than starting your journey on the expensive equipment to then find you need something else. Bright as a Button also has good connections with charities and the AAC Hubs across the UK to ensure we are aware of any possible help with funding equipment. Often charities/ hubs require reports to demonstrate that equipment is appropriate. We can provide detailed reports along with our assessment and recommendations that can support any funding routes you pursue.