James is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science and Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Bedfordshire, a Supernumerary Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford University, and Visiting Professor at the University of Reading and Beijing Normal University. James has interests in educational software, music recording and scuba diving and has served on numerous boards associated with both Science and the Arts & Humanities. He is Chair of Governors of Central Bedfordshire Further Education College Corporation, Vice-Chairman of the East of England Engineering, Science & Technology Association and has worked on the Science and Art programme of the Wellcome Trust.

Lord Low is a former criminologist who Chaired the Royal National Institute of Blind People.He lost his sight in an accident at the age of three and has “no memory of seeing before that”. In his maiden speech to the House of Lords in 2006, Lord” Colin” Low said “There are few problems of ACCESS which will not be overcome”. Lord Low is President of the UK Association for Accessible formats

Ken has had 50 years’ experience as an educator and social entrepreneur, with a special interest in disability, particularly deafness. In addition to founding AACT, Ken helped to set up-the Breakthrough (Deaf/Hearing) Integration Trust (now named DeafPlus), Deafax, Decibels and Inclusive Environments. For his contribution to preventative medicine and healthcare, Ken was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. He was awarded an Honorary Degree from Loughborough University as part of their Centenary celebrations. During 2010-12, Ken led our Viewtalk Awards4all (Big Lottery) funded project.

Since February 2016, Riccardo Mancuso has been skilfully developing and leading the implementation of a strategy to shape future business opportunities for AACT, Decibels and GOALS4LIFE (Global Online Assisted Learning & Support). He is continuing to develop a comprehensive 5-year business plan comprising both transactional & transformational elements to ensure stakeholder buy-in and establish a robust & transparent governance model. He has over 15 years of experience in a blue chip environment, providing a broad, strong foundation of best practice solutions to tackle operational challenges. Riccardo works with a strong sense of urgency to achieve quality results, quickly. Outside of work, Riccardo loves to explore and discover new things. His camera follows him wherever he goes and his computer boasts a decade of photos of architecture, people and cultures.

Mike attended The West of England School for the Partially Sighted. He worked variously in a newspaper advertising office, a DIY shop, the textile industry and held an apprenticeship in precision engineering before becoming an Audio/Visual Technician in the Institute of Education, University of Reading, where he also offered photographic and computer support. Mike runs his own sound recording business. Mike is registered blind but has some useful sight in one eye and has a particular interest in using computers to aid those with disabilities.

Deborah joined AACT in September 2016 and is involved in helping the Trustee/Directors with the financial administration of this charitable company. She also works part time as a Projects’ Coordinator for Decibels.  Prior to this, she worked for many years in the Financial Services Sector starting as a member of the New Business Team and ending her career as Executive Assistant to the CEO & Sales Director. She was then approached by an ex-work colleague who was volunteering at Deafax, a charity for the deaf, to see if she would be interested in supporting them on their “admin side of things” – Deborah is still there 12 years later! Hobbies include travelling, cooking, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Helen Lansdown read for an English Literature degree at the University of Reading before establishing her own business in educational interpreting and the provision of literacy support for deaf students throughout England. She is currently the Chief Executive of Deafax, a national charitable company which pioneers the innovative use of education, training and research projects involving Information and Communications Technology (ICT) – www.deafax.org . She has been responsible for pioneering a wide and innovative range of programmes notably opening up the world of music to deaf children by encouraging and facilitating self- expression through ICT and with an exciting, interactive and visual approach. She is a qualified British Sign Language user. Her latest  project is Signly which delivers smart signed content directly to the user’s mobile device – www.signly.co

Brandon is currently studying for a degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Loughborough University. He is interested in – and is undertaking research alongside AACT4Children into – how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can be employed to support young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while communicating digitally, with the intention of producing a usable product.