CALLOUS criminals have targeted a national charity which enables children and adults with complex disabilities to communicate.

A range of specialist computer technology and equipment was stolen from the ACE Centre headquarters in Failsworth, Greater Manchester in a break-in over the weekend.

The charity which provides specialist services and technology for people with lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy as well as acquired conditions including stroke and brain injury and degenerative conditions like motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis.

The equipment stolen in the burglary which includes state of the art eye-gaze technology is highly specialised with little personal or commercial use to the public – however it is integral to the assessment work provided by the Ace Centre. The NHS-funded technology was used on a daily basis by specialists to help identify the most effective method of communication.

Ace Centre chief executive Anna Reeves said: “This isn’t just about the shock and distress of the burglary, or about financial impact of the loss of equipment – this crime has very real consequences for our clients. Our services enable people to communicate and live their everyday lives. A key part of that is our clinical assessment process – it’s the vital first step for the children and adults we work with to communicate on their own terms.”

The charity has acted to reduce the impact to their clients and their carers and families but its home, school and NHS assessment services are facing some delays while the equipment is replaced, which could be costly and time consuming.

Any delay to that the assessment process is a delay to a person accessing the right support to communicate.