Lucinda Ritchie

She/her
Influencer, Keynote Speaker, Panellist, Advanced Eye Gaze User
Charity Ambassador – SpecialEffect

Award category:

Cross-Sector Advocate

Lucinda is an Eye Gaze user who loves gaming, passionate about Sustainability, and improving overall accessibility.

Throughout childhood, Lucinda was constantly encouraged to do her best in everything she did and face any challenges head-on. This philosophy has been a major driving factor over the last few years – including in recent ventures and when assisting other people.

Lucinda also constantly strives to push the boundaries of accessibility, with the aim of seeking improvements (particularly physical and technological) in a way that is also sustainable. She is constantly considering how elements could be more environmentally friendly, but ensuring that accessibility has a key role.

Approximately six years ago Lucinda became an Eye Gaze user after losing the ability to communicate verbally. As someone who had newly graduated in Geography and Environmental Studies with hopes of further study the following year, Lucinda was forced to put this hold while a new method of communication was found. Six months after losing her verbal communication, Lucinda trialled an Eye Gaze, and took to it instantly. Eye Gaze remains Lucinda’s main mode of communication mode now and she is currently studying MSc Sustainability.

Whilst growing up, gaming not only created a source of fun, but also an escape space. After Lucinda successfully became familiar with various different Eye Gaze set-ups, SpecialEffect, a charity helping disabled people game and access other areas, were contacted. Fortunately a solution was found for Lucinda to game again.

Since then I became an ambassador for this amazing charity, and it became clear that we have many of the same aims. We’ve worked on a number projects together, including with a telepresent robot – LucindaMobil.

I am delighted to have been included in DP100 2024, especially for the second year in a row. It is an honour to be recognised alongside other pioneers and changemakers. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to help support disabled people communicate more freely, and enjoy a generally higher level of accessibility everyday (e.g. through technology).

Q&A

Lucinda Ritchie
Stay passionate, keep your determination, take every opportunity you can, and always strive for success
The work I’ve done alongside others has raised awareness for Eye Gaze technology, advanced eye gaze users, eye gaze controlled robots, gaming, and pushing the boundaries of accessibility as much as possible. I’ve also been able to help raise awareness for a Charity called SpecialEffect, who help physically disabled people play games. They have helped me immeasurably and I am incredibly grateful for everything they have done. Some of the work I’ve done has led to media appearances (TV, Radio, etc…) has been about studying a Masters at University despite having extensive physical challenges including eye gaze. My university have been incredibly helpful and supportive. As part of my university work I have been working on ways that disability access forms part of sustainability.
My future goals / aspirations are to continue to support the disabled community as much as possible. SpecialEffect Charity holds a special place in my heart and I look forward to continuing to support them as much as possible in the future This very much includes developing and testing eye gaze accessible technology, and supporting those who uses and other stakeholders. A particular interest is advanced eye gaze technology and overcoming the associated challenges. I would also like to start my PhD focusing on how disability access forms part of sustainability.
I love playing games on the Eye Gaze and listening to music! It allows me a way of escaping for a while so I can just have fun and relax Another favourite of mine is spending time with my friends, family and our black lab!
Spending time with my Family, Black Lab and Friends. I also love playing games, but in particular chess!
Dogs
More knowledge of what is actually possible surrounding eye gaze technology, and how it can be incorporated into a wide range of settings and opportunities. Constantly trying to push the boundaries to see what is actually possible.
Technological barriers in general still need addressing to improve the lives of disabled people. Virtually every part of life is impacted by technology in one way or another – which highlights the importance of raising awareness on a much wider scale. However, part of this would include AAC devices (e.g. Eye Gaze), compatibility, ways in which can be used, etc… Pushing the boundaries of accessibility to see what is actually possible.

Areas of expertise

Accessibility, Charity, social enterprise, Community, Cross Sector, Disability Advocacy, Education, Gaming, IT, Tech, Web design, Science

Disability Power 100 profile information is self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.

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