ATcare has announced the appointment of Kevin Carey as Head of eInclusion Consultancy.

According to the organisation, this important announcement marks a significant step in the development of ATcare, which was established in 2008 with £2.35M of support from the London Development Agency (LDA) to improve the availability of good assistive technology products and services that enable greater independence for older and disabled people.

Kevin, who also takes over as Chair of the Royal National Institute of Blind People in July, will be leading ATcare's work in eInclusion, ensuring that everyone can access, use and benefit from information technology.

For the last twelve years, Kevin has been Director of HumanITy, where he has led initiatives advising on improved hardware and software design for people who experience difficultly in accessing, processing and creating digital content. He has worked on developing individuals' and groups' skills to handle digital information through training, and has been instrumental in narrowing the gap between individuals and IT providers by providing policy advice and guidance on inclusive system design and implementation.

Kevin is also Chair of the OFCOM Community Radio Fund Panel and was recently appointed to the Government's Digital Inclusion Task Force. An important aspect of this work – as with his role at ATcare – will be to challenge the private, public and third sectors to work together to ensure that less-advantaged people can benefit from new technologies of every type.

ATcare works closely with assistive technology users and manufacturers, social and healthcare professionals, industry and local communities to ensure that assistive technology products and services can be delivered to enable older and disabled people to maintain independence and live their lives to the full.

Products under development are focused on devices for older people or those with disabilities and promote greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to do. Increasingly such products and services are delivered using digital technology, and Kevin will work to ensure that new technology enables people, rather than leaving them behind.

Kevin said: “I am privileged to join ATcare. For many years I have worked with policy-makers to improve access to technology by less-advantaged people. ATcare is a great organisation that bridges the gap between policy and products, and this role offers many rewarding opportunities to deliver real, tangible results that can change the lives of many people. As well as improving the day-to-day lives of individual people, digital technology is transforming public services. For example, digital technology makes remote care at home a practical reality for many people – giving them greater independence and reducing time spent in hospital. Digital technology is developing so rapidly, and I see it as my role to ensure that ATcare maximises the opportunities it presents for less-advantaged people.”

Christine Asbury, ATcare Chief Executive said: “I'm delighted that Kevin is joining the team at ATcare. Using Kevin's experience and knowledge, we aim to ensure that producers of assistive technologies listen to the needs of users, and that public policy and commercial decision-making takes their needs fully on board.”