Michelle ThompsonA state-of-the-art residential building, costing £6.2 million and outfitted with cutting-edge technology, is set to open at a college catering to students with disabilities.
The accommodation at National Star College is designed as a “smart house” and incorporates voice-activated technology. This innovation enables students to customize artificial intelligence (AI) to cater to their individual requirements. The building will be officially opened later by disability advocates Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason.
National Star College, situated near Cheltenham in Ullenwood, offers education and therapy to young people with various disabilities. The introduction of this technology is expected to provide these students with greater independence and prepare them for life after college.
The ‘Building a Brighter Future’ structure, a single-storey building, comprises 13 bedrooms, each equipped with overhead tracking hoists and various AI features, including a voice-activated fridge.
Jaspar Tomlinson can operate devices in his living space by using his electronic communicator.
“We aim to provide our students with the opportunity to explore this technology within the safe environment of the college,” stated Maizie Morgan, an assistive technology technician at National Star College.
She further explained, “The idea is that both prospective and current students can familiarize themselves with this technology, discover what’s available in the world, and ideally, integrate it into their own living spaces as they transition from college.”
Simon Welch, the Principal, emphasized that the technology has been customized to meet the unique needs of each student.
“We take into account the specific needs and priorities of these young individuals and their disabilities,” he said. “The technology itself may not be groundbreaking, but our approach to tailoring it to each individual is.”
The suites are created to enable students to live independently and experiment with different technologies to determine what suits their needs best.
Jaspar Tomlinson, a student, had the opportunity to test the software before the official opening. Despite being non-verbal, he can send commands to smart devices using his eyes to manipulate his electronic communicator. The rooms are equipped with devices and appliances that can be controlled with a single command.
Expressing his thoughts, Jaspar said, “I think that it’s great because it helps me gain confidence for the time I leave college.”
Peter Horne, National Star’s deputy chief executive, commented, “This new accommodation will enhance the lives of young individuals with complex physical and learning disabilities, creating engaging environments for living, learning, and relaxation.”
Emily Martinez
