o Haley Gozzard (CATS speech therapist), Kathy Prasad (CATS occupational therapist), Angela Webb (ADHC case manager), Kylie McQuillan (ADHC speech therapist)

(Front) Doris Powell (St Johns teacher’s aide), Jacqueline Berthelsen (CATS client), Kirsty Berthelsen (Jacqui’s mother).

There were CATS in Cobar this week as children with a disability trialled computer assistive technology from a Sydney- based team of therapists.

Northcott Computer Assistive Technology Services (CATS for short) flew from their Sydney base to Dubbo and made the 300-kilometre trek to Cobar by road.

Minister for Disability Services Paul Lynch said the team offered its expertise in speech and occupational therapy to Cobar children with a disability.

Six children with a disability attended the Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC)-funded clinic at the local government offices.

“It is pleasing to be able to facilitate the assessments, which cost up to $800 each, for these families,” Mr Lynch said.

“The kids will benefit from trialling the range of technologies that are available.”

The children trialled laptops, i-Pods and speaking devices, specialised software, alternate keyboards as well as low-tech options such as communication books and community request cards.

Kirsty Berthelsen, mother of Jacqueline, was very pleased with the professionalism and commitment of the multi-disciplinary team. “We are so lucky to have access to up-to-date equipment and programs specially tailored for people with a disability,” she said.