Slater & Gordon has strengthened its support of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCI) with a donation of iPads. Tablet technology is a vital tool in the rehabilitation process and can improve the quality of life for people with limited functionality in their hands and upper body.

The director of SCI David Prast, who was in Melbourne last week to accept the donation, says the iPads will become an invaluable tool to help the staff at SCI promote self-management, independence and empowerment to people with spinal cord injuries. Three iPads were presented to David by Slater & Gordon managing director Andrew Grech and money for another five is awaiting final approval.

The iPads will form the basis of its iPad/myWorld project, whereby peer support officers who have experienced a similar level of injury are assigned to work with newly injured people in intensive care, acute care and rehabilitation units.

Having been through trauma, these officers are able to impart their personal experiences, skills and learned knowledge at the bedside of injured clients. With the iPad they can demonstrate to clients the technologies available to them and have information such as downloadable fact sheets at their fingertips to address concerns.

David hopes that in future more of the 12,000 Australians who live with spinal cord injuries will be able to live independent and fulfilling lives thanks to the tablet technology. “For people with limited functionality in their hands even turning the pages of a book can pose a challenge so having information accessible with touch technology can be hugely beneficial,” he says.

In addition, he says that during the critical period immediately following spinal cord injury it is important that patients are still able maintain social contact with the outside world. Being light weight, portable and easy to use, the iPad is the ideal communication tool for them to use during the rehabilitation process.

‘Patients who suffer spinal cord injuries can be laid up in hospital for up to four months, which can be incredibly isolating,’ says David. ‘With an iPad they are able to keep in regular communication with friends and family through email, social networking sites and Skype.’

This generous donation is one of many occasions where Slater & Gordon has offered support to SCI as a part of its Community Fund program. The firm hopes to continue working with the organisation to seek greater insight into spinal cord injuries.

For information about our Community Fund and Staff Giving programs, please contact human resource manager Rachael Kelly on (03) 9602 6879.