PAAT founder members and directors at the TechAbility conference pictured left to right: Dawn Green, Development Coordinator at the Karten Network, Fil McIntyre, Manager and Assistive Technology Lead at TechAbility; Martin Pistorius, IT specialist; Jane Seale, Emerita Professor, learning disability and digital inclusion; Dave Hursthouse; Assistive Technology Project Manager at Leonard Cheshire
A new Professional Association of Assistive Technologists (PAAT) has launched which provides crucial accreditation for people working with disabled adults who use assistive technology.
Assistive technology can support people to communicate, connect with others and live more independently. Access to assistive technology, backed by the right support, can transform everyday life for many disabled people. Recent rapid changes in technology mean daily tasks that were once challenging or impossible can become much more achievable.
Dave Hursthouse is a founder member of PAAT and Assistive Technology Project Manager at Leonard Cheshire.
He said: “Across the UK, disabled people and those supporting them will benefit hugely from the Professional Association of Assistive Technologists. PAAT aims to build a confident, connected and respected professional community.”
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Assistive technology professionals can now apply online for membership, with successful members gaining crucial proof of their skills.
PAAT offers members a robust code of conduct and opportunities for peer support. It will also champion improved training and extra consistency in employment standards and ultimately aims to offer continuing professional development. It will campaign for greater recognition of assistive technology services by commissioners and regulators.
PAAT members can gain recognition for their expertise in a fast-moving sector, demonstrating their knowledge of how assistive technology can make life more accessible with best practice. Members might support disabled people with electronic communicators (AAC devices), electronic tablets like iPads and voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. These can be used together with environmental controls to create a Smart Home environment – opening doors, curtains and windows or, switching on TVs, computers, heating and lighting.
Professional membership with PAAT comes in three levels – associate, full and senior. Potential members from across the UK could be working in social care, healthcare, academia or the technology industry. A few PAAT members who support disabled adults might have assistive technology as just one part of their role. Others could be experienced professionals using it every day or experts in their field.
PAAT is not intended to replace existing professional bodies in education, health or social care. Instead, it provides a professional home for Assistive Technologists who might not currently have one. The association works collaboratively with established membership organisations.
After years in senior roles in the IT industry, Dave Hursthouse began working at Leonard Cheshire’s Hill House in in Sandbach. He leads the rollout of technology for disabled adults at the charity’s residential and supported living services.
He said membership could appeal to professionals in a variety of roles and at different stages in their career.
“If your job helps support disabled people with electronic devices, PAAT’s crucial accreditation will demonstrate your skills. It will show that you can work well alongside disabled tech users, helping them to achieve their goals and get the most out of their devices.
“PAAT will help professionals see how they to reach the next stage. Whether you’re a social care worker, healthcare worker or tech director, a newer user or an expert, we want you to sign up. The aim is to drive up standards, empower practitioners and transform lives.”
Leonard Cheshire currently has two assistive technology regional hubs. The first ‘central region hub’ is at Hill House in Sandbach, covering 150 people living in the charity’s services. The second ‘north region hub’ is at Bradbury Court, near Newcastle, covering a further 120 people living in the charity’s services. The charity plans to develop more hubs nationwide.
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https://thiis.co.uk/new-assistive-technology-professional-body-launched-to-improve-support-for-disabled-people/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/paat.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/paat-150×150.jpg2026-07-03T10:01:25+01:00NewsroomSector NewsThird Sectorassistive technology,disabled people,PAATA new Professional Association of Assistive Technologists (PAAT) has launched which provides crucial accreditation for people working with disabled adults who use assistive technology.
Assistive technology can support people to communicate, connect with others and live more independently. Access to assistive technology, backed by the right support, can transform everyday…Liane McIvorLiane
McIvorliane@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine
