Video Case Study

Addressing Barriers to Participation

Volunteer representatives with Learning Disabilities face challenges in joining online meetings, including a lack of access to equipment or the internet and a preference for discussing topics in person with others for clarification and support. To address these barriers:

• Easy Read Documentation: All meeting-related documents are provided in Easy Read format to ensure clarity and comprehension for all members.
• Central Meeting Location: For hybrid meetings, members can gather in a central location equipped with tools to facilitate their participation.

Leveraging Technology: “The Owl”

A crucial part of enabling hybrid meetings is the use of The Owl, a smart conferencing device with a built-in 360° camera, microphone array, and speaker. This technology allows members to join Microsoft Teams meetings seamlessly, ensuring they can interact with remote participants as if they were in the same room.

“It’s quite interesting because it’s new to me! I’ve never seen The Owl before so I thought it’d be new, and learning new stuff as well!”
– Rob

The Meeting Owl 3 is produced by Owl Labs, you can read more about it on their website here.

Supporting Travel Needs

Understanding the importance of accessible transport, the board partners with Awel Aman Tawe/Taith Co-op, a Community Transport company. This collaboration ensures that members can travel safely and comfortably to the central meeting location.

“I came here because Sacha [from Awel Aman Tawe] gave me a lift, and it helps me because I can get here. Because without Sacha giving me a lift, I wouldn’t be able to come here and contribute.“
– Georgia

Empowering Participation

By combining technology, accessible documentation, and transport support, the board creates an inclusive environment where all members can contribute meaningfully, regardless of the meeting format.

“Really easy for me, it’s easy to understand because I have the papers in easy read, so it makes it a hundred percent easier without all the jargon [and] abbreviations”
– Neil

This case study highlights the board’s proactive approach to removing barriers and fostering inclusivity, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. You can find out more about how we’re working collaboratively across the region on our Joint Working Journal here, and read more about our boards here.