Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
New app aims to make living with aphasia easier
CABINET secretary for health and sport Shona Robison attended the official launch of a new app created by people with aphasia to help those living with the condition.
Aphasia is a complex language and communication disorder resulting from damage to the language centres of the brain.
It is estimated there are more than 350,000 people with aphasia living in Britain.
The “I Have Aphasia” app, which was created in partnership with people living in Tayside, shows a short animated film outlining the key communication difficulties sufferers face.
It was developed during a collaborative programme run in partnership with Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust’s ST/ART Project and the Tap and Talk Aphasia iPad group, based at the user centre of Dundee University’s School of Science and Engineering.
The app was officially launched at an event at the Queen Mother Building at the university to mark Aphasia Awareness Month.
Ms Robison joined participants of the Tap and Talk group, NHS Tayside chairman Professor John Connell, director of Allied Health Professions Karen Anderson, NHS Tayside board member Alison Rogers and Professor Sir Pete Downes, principal and vicechancellor of the university.
Ms Robison said: “We are committed to ensure everybody living in Scotland with stroke, and other neurological conditions that cause aphasia, has access to the best patient care possible.”