Locofoco wins pitch for pioneering new site aimed at special needs kids
Locofoco has won a three-way pitch for a pioneering new national resource being launched by Road Safety Scotland, part of the Scottish Executive.
The project, A2B, is aimed at children who suffer from dyslexia, attention/hyperactivity deficit disorder, and autism and is due to launch in March 2007.
The site, which will lead the way in road traffic safety, will be designed to be accessible to all, including those with dyslexia and mild autism – groups that are most at risk on the road.
Recent studies have concluded that ten times more children may suffer from autism than was previously suspected. Along with dyslexia and attention/hyperactivity deficit disorder, autistic disability can be offset by the right teaching, but if it is undiagnosed it can cause severe social problems. However, the children’s commissioner in England recently described existing provisions for autistic youngsters as “shocking and appalling.”
Further research released by The Royal Medical Society also showed that road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death and disability among children.
The Scottish Executive invited Locofoco to pioneer a ‘state of the art’ resource that uses the web to reach more children.
The site is designed for and in collaboration with Road Safety Officers and young people within the Additional Support Needs group (ASN). ASN covers a wide range of disability including the autistic spectrum, dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The site can be ‘personalised’ to the learning preferences of the user. Many features such as sound and animation can be switched on and off.
It uses advances in web software to create a TV style interactive experience.
During the design process Locofoco asked for a brainstorming session with a group of children with learning disabilities in Edinburgh – the day before it was due to take place the agency learned that a child from the group had lost his life due to a road accident.