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Expert witness services for the legal profession

Expert witness statement: John Goodacre

Expert witness services for the legal profession:

If you are a lawyer working on behalf of a disabled client we may be able to assist you.  Your client’s disability may have been present from birth or it may have come about as a result of an accident later in life.  Their acquired disability will probably be the result of:

Your client may have communication difficulties and would benefit by having the use of assistive technology to aid their communication (verbal and written) and to regain some control over their environment.

WHY US?
You will have probably already enlisted the services of other expert witnesses to report on your client’s various needs - care, mobility, medical condition, work prospects - but have not had the opportunity to consider in detail their communication needs and their desire to control their environment in the same efficient manner that they did before they became disabled?

  1. Omitting an Assistive Technology Assessment Report from a litigation claim may prove costly.  Once a settlement has been agreed, purchasing expensive specialist equipment not originally accounted for will take a sizeable chunk out of your client’s award
  2. We are experts in assessing the communication and assistive technology needs of our disabled clients
  3. We have worked successfully since 1989 with the legal profession as an Expert Witness
  4. Recognition of our services has been received at national level from Action for Victims of Medical Accidents, the Open University and the Department for Education and Employment, Local Education Authorities and employers
  5. We are flexible and friendly in our approach
  6. We will work with you

WHAT DOES THE SERVICE INCLUDE?

  1. An in-depth holistic assessment of your client’s assistive technology needs
  2. A detailed report of your client’s needs including recommendations on appropriate support and equipment, insurance costs and an itemized/costed list of the recommendations
  3. A report tailored to your demands but always keeping the needs of the client paramount
  4. A report which recognizes its duty to the Court and an overriding duty to assist the court on matters within the expertise of its author
  5. An opportunity for clients to make informed choices about a comprehensive range of assistive technologies and low-tech aids and equipment

WHO DO I CONTACT?
in the first instance please contact John Goodacre to request more detailed information.

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EXPERTWITNESS STATEMENT

John Goodacre:

I have worked professionally alongside people with a wide range of disabilities since 1977.  My experience and expertise have been gained by supporting clients ranging in age from 4 to 85 years.  I have supported people with learning, physical, sensory and mental disabilities in schools, Further and Higher Education, at work, in residential and domiciliary settings.  I have considerable experience in assessing the type and costs of equipment (assistive technology) and other support that may be required by disabled people to enhance their ability to communicate more efficiently and effectively.

Since 1989 I have provided expert evidence on the additional cost of equipment and support for the physically, sensory and mentally disabled for both personal injury and medical negligence claims.

As a member of the National Network of Assessment Centres (NNAC) I can engage the services and expertise available in other Centres.  I attend regular training sessions that focus on new developments in enabling equipment that may be of benefit to our clients.

I have an Honours degree in Special Education. From 1995 to March 2009 I was the Manager of the ACCESS Centre at Hereward College.  I was responsible the team of Administrative staff and Assessors providing an assessment and support service for internal and external clients with a broad range of medical conditions and disabilities.  I also lead a small team of researchers undertaking work in the field of assistive technology.

In my Research and Development role at Hereward College I worked as Project Leader overseeing the transfer of the first nationally recognized Vocationally Related Qualification in Supporting Users of Assistive Technology to an on-line qualification.  This development was based on the knowledge and experience gained in developing and piloting the initial VRQ qualification using face-to-face delivery.

The ACCESS Centre at Hereward obtained European funding from the Leonardo Da Vinci strand of the Education and Culture Lifelong Learning Programme to work with partners in Germany, Finland, Ireland and the UK.  As Project Leader for the two year project (1 November 2007 to 31 October 2009) I lead an experienced team with the aim of “transferring the existing AT Level 2 Vocationally Related Qualification into appropriate qualifications within Bulgaria, Finland, Germany and Ireland, ensuring that these fit within the European Qualifications Framework in these countries.  These new qualifications will provide AT support workers with the skills and knowledge to support users of AT effectively.”

Prior to my move to AccessCentral I was also involved in an exciting project to establish and develop an i-Health (Intelligent Health) Smart House at Hereward College.  In this instance we were working closely with partners at Advantage West Midlands, Coventry University, Assistive Living Innovation Platform, Microsoft and the Building Research Establishment.

After 14 years at Hereward I became a partner at AccessCentral where I am able to continue the work I have been doing in the public sector but within a limited company alongside my two fellow Directors.

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