Published 6 July 2026
A new professional body for people who help disabled adults use technology has launched in the UK. The Professional Association of Assistive Technologists (PAAT) opened for membership applications in early July 2026, offering accreditation, a code of conduct and peer support for a workforce that until now has had no professional home of its own. The launch was reported by THIIS Magazine.
Assistive technology covers the electronic devices that help people communicate, stay connected and live more independently, from AAC communication devices and tablets to voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. Combined with environmental controls, these tools can turn an ordinary house into a smart home that opens doors and curtains, switches on lights and heating, and controls TVs and computers, all without the user needing to move around. For many people these systems work alongside traditional equipment such as daily living aids and mobility aids to keep independence within reach.
PAAT was founded by a group of practitioners including Dave Hursthouse, Assistive Technology Project Manager at disability charity Leonard Cheshire, alongside colleagues from the Karten Network, TechAbility and academia. Hursthouse said the association aims to build “a confident, connected and respected professional community”, with membership open to people working in social care, healthcare, academia and the technology industry.
Membership comes in three levels, associate, full and senior, and gives successful applicants proof of their skills in a fast moving field. The association will champion better training, more consistent employment standards and continuing professional development, and it plans to campaign for greater recognition of assistive technology services by commissioners and regulators. PAAT stresses that it is not replacing existing professional bodies in education, health or social care, but providing a home for assistive technologists who currently sit between them.
Why does this matter to families choosing equipment? Standards. Anyone can currently call themselves an assistive technology specialist, and the quality of advice varies widely. An accreditation scheme with a code of conduct gives buyers a way to check that the person recommending or setting up technology has verified skills, the same reassurance that established trade bodies bring to sectors like stairlift installation. When choosing any equipment supplier, checking credentials and independent reviews remains the best protection, and our company directory lets you compare rated UK mobility companies.
Leonard Cheshire already runs two regional assistive technology hubs, at Hill House in Sandbach and Bradbury Court near Newcastle, covering around 270 people in its residential and supported living services, with more hubs planned nationwide. As technology plays a bigger role in independent living, expect assistive technology assessments to become as routine as assessments for walking aids or bathroom adaptations.
Related guides on Review Mobility
- Daily living aids: complete guide
- Mobility aids: what’s available and how to choose
- Walking aids: sticks, frames and rollators
- Bathroom mobility: adaptations and equipment
- Find a rated mobility company near you
Published 6 July 2026
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