Workshop panellist: Dr David Colven, Technical Advisor, The ACE Centre Advisory Trust

David Colven was trained as research physicist at Imperial College, London. After completing his research degree he taught Physics, Mathematics, Electronics and Computer Studies at a comprehensive school for 12 years. As a governor of a comprehensive school in Abingdon he kept in touch with mainstream education for 25 years.

David joined ACE Centre in 1984 as one of the founding members, and has been responsible for the technical support at the ACE Centre since that date.

His main activities at the Centre are: Supporting ends users and their family/helpers both directly and through electronic means; Being part of the trans-disciplinary team of assessors; Developing software utilities to support alternative access users; Designing accessible programs and interfaces; Consulting and writing on accessibility and usability; Training parents, helpers and other professionals in the use of alternative access; Developing the infrastructure of the ACE Centre and its support mechanisms; and working with mainstream and specialist software developers to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.