assist-Mi: Disability Access App
Author: assist-Mi
Published: 2015/07/06 - Updated: 2021/08/10
Topic: Disability Apps - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: assist-Mi has started an Access Revolution with the launch of their unique app, looking to revolutionize disabled access by offering real-time assistance in every building, and with every service provider and retailer. assist-Mi is a disability led organization whose technical innovation connects into the wider, smarter city digital revolution and has grown from an office in Sunderland to having offices in London, and they are eager to get this technology everywhere.
Introduction
Revolutionary disability access app launches on Kickstarter with the support of top celebrities such as Clare Balding, Dame Evelyn Glennie and Addie Adepitan looking to improve disabled access for over 11 million disabled people in the UK.
Main Item
Tech start-up assist-Mi has started an Access Revolution with their launch on Kickstarter of their unique app, looking to revolutionize disabled access by offering real-time assistance in every building, and with every service provider and retailer.
There are over 1 billion disabled people in the world, and over 11 million disabled people in the UK alone, of which over a quarter say that they do not frequently have choice and control over their daily lives,assist-Mi wants to give that control back empowering the user. assist-Mi offers comprehensive assistance to disabled users on the go, empowering them to greater independence to an accessible world.
Celebrity endorsement comes from prominent broadcaster and Paralympic Presenter Clare Balding as well as Polar Award Winning deaf percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, who both feature in the assist-Mi Kickstarter campaign video.
Evelyn said:
"Inclusiveness has been the spine of my journey and it's fantastic to see this amazing app assist-Mi giving people with all sorts of challenges the same opportunities to enrich their lives. Things we take for granted like filling the car up, it's extraordinary that they can now do that with great ease and dignity."
This is the FREE app that offers the ability to request assistance before turning up at any service provider or retailer who has adopted the system. On arrival the assistance is ready and waiting. No fuss.
Co-Founder Gary McFarlane, born with ArthroGryposis Multiplex Congenita, who has a background in IT and coding created assist-Mi back in 2010 with consumer champion and entrepreneur Neil Herron. Gary explained:
"I came up with the idea through my own experiences, struggling to get appropriate assistance when I traveled. I knew I also could make it happen."
"We are on Kickstarter now with an app that works to build the support behind the idea. This has the power to change so many peoples' lives and we need to build the momentum and ultimately reach our goal to make that happen."
Clare Balding said:
"Share this far and wide with everyone you know. Pledge some money for the amazing rewards to ensure that the world becomes a more inclusive and accessible place."
assist-Mi is a disability led organization whose technical innovation connects into the wider, smarter city digital revolution and has grown from it's one office in Sunderland to now also having offices in London, and they are eager to get this technology everywhere.
On explaining why assist-Mi came to Kickstarter Co-Founder Neil Herron said:
"There has been a great deal of interest from public authorities, charities and the business community, but it requires a big push from the disabled and non-disabled community to say to them that this is the world that we all want, a fully accessible, inclusive world without barriers and technology can now enable this."
"We want to solve everyday problems and give greater freedom to all that use assist-Mi, leaving more time for living."
assist-Mi has gone LIVE on the crowd funding website KICKSTARTER with amazing feedback across social media. assist-Mi has been on Kickstarter for 2 days and has nearly hit over £4000 with a reach of over 1,000,000 users on social media.
Rewards range from being an assist-Mi 'Hero' for £10, Travel Wallets, Blue Badge Holders, T-Shirts, Launch Event invitations and the ability to pre-order Licenses for service providers of an individuals choosing.
"We are offering rewards to suit all budgets. We are offering early bird licenses on Kickstarter so people can make the world around them accessible for themselves or their loved ones - we want people to take this technology and make sure it goes where they want and need it," says Dom Hyams, born with brittle bones and a wheelchair user himself. Dom joined the team as Communications and Digital Director from TV production company Sunset+Vine.
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by assist-Mi and published on 2015/07/06, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, assist-Mi can be contacted at assist-mi.com NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.