Spinal Injuries Scotland

Free Traveller is a research project from Loughborough Design School PhD Student Christopher J. Parker.

The aim is simple, to understand how different forms of information effect the usability of a mashup (that’s the thing with the information balloons on a map). Does different information effect how users see the mashup, and if so how can we use these judgements to make better mashups, websites and products in the future? This is done by creating three custom maps to explore under what conditions information influences user information perceptions. Participants are then asked to view these maps, interact with them and then share their thoughts on how confident they would feel using that information when traveling in the future.

This is done by presenting a few custom information maps about London Public Transport to visitors to our website (www.freetraveller.co.uk) and then asking them to answer a few short questions on their experience. As a thank you for their time all participants are entered into a prize draw to win £150 ($250). This can be done in the comfort of your own home in around 30 minutes.

We are looking specifically for wheelchair users between the ages of 18 – 65 since this is the user group who stand to benefit the most from our research. Although good access information is a universal ideal in inclusive design, we are not currently looking into other disability groups (e.g. blind, deaf, etc.) at the moment in order to limit the variances in our statistics.

CLICK HERE to visit the website and take part in this research project

Further contact for the research can be found below:

•  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Free-Traveller/176537469069609
•  Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FreeTravellerUK

To contact Christopher Parker you can email: C.Parker@lboro.ac.uk or call: 07920 119 432

The Neurological Alliance of Scotland is an independent umbrella organisation of charities and groups representing people with neurological conditions.

They would like to know what you thought of your most recent encounter with your local NHS health service about your neurological condition. This could be, for example, an appointment with your Neurologist, doctor at the outpatients’ clinic, a Specialist Nurse or with a Physiotherapist or Speech and Language Therapist.  This does not include an appointment with your GP.

This appointment must have happened within the last 12 months.

Your individual responses will be completely confidential and will not be shared with the health professionals who look after you.

This survey is online and can be filled in by clicking HERE or by clicking on the logo below.

You can make a difference

• Find out about becoming a patient representative.

• Come to a ‘taster’ session and see how you can get involved.

• Afterwards, you can decide if you want to take part in Neurological Voices training.

Neurological Voices training involves 3 half-day workshops

where you can:

• share your experiences and views

• gain confidence and skills

• learn how you can have your say to improve local NHS services.

‘Taster’ sessions in NHS Ayrshire & Arran area

Brodick, Arran: Thurs 29 Sept, 10am-12noon. Arran War Memorial.

Ayr: Thurs 29 Sept, 5:30pm-7.30pm. Western House Hotel

To find out more or book a place, please contact: Jan Anderson 07703185856

jan.anderson@scottishneurological.org.uk

Neurological Alliance of Scotland, Mansfield Traquair Centre,

15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB

Daren Drysdale is a mature student studying for a PhD in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

After working for 15 years in a spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation unit in America he is now researching sensations that most people with a spinal cord injury feel below their injury. These sensations are often referred to as phantom sensations.

Have you experienced these sensations and would like to help with this research, you can by taking part in a survey.

To find out more about the research, CLICK HERE

There is a link to the questionnaire in the link above, but to go straight to the survey CLICK HERE

The SMILE study

Spinal Cord Injury Measure for Intermittent Catheter Users: Quality of Life Evaluation

The SMILE study at Brunel University aims to develop a measure of quality of life for people with neurological damage to their spinal cord who use intermittent self- catheters.

If you use an intermittent self-catheter as a method of bladder management you can take part in the study by completing their online questionnaire.

The research team will examine the information using a number of established methods, including some statistical analysis, to see whether the questions work together effectively and accurately to measure quality of life. This will aid future research and product development which takes the users view into account.

The survey will take about 15 minutes, and for each completed questionnaire SMILE will donate £1 to Spinal Injuries Scotland.

Please click on the following link to find out more:

https://surveys.brunel.ac.uk/smile2-1

Please note: The smile study was mailed by SIS on behalf of Brunel University. We take the protection of personal data very seriously and at no point were any contact details passed from SIS to Brunel University. Click here to read our privacy policy.

The Scottish Stem Cell Network has released a Press Release regarding information on Stem Cell Treatments. In the Press Release they have also introduced a new website which aims to provide patients, families and carers with an independent assessment of the various companies purporting to offer stem cell treatments.

Click on the image below to read the Press Release

CLICK HERE to visit the ISSCR website