ESSENTIAL CEDIA
CEDIA JOINS POLICY CONNECT News direct from CEDIA this month as the association makes an important announcement regarding membership of a new government Think Tank initiative. CEDIA has been appointed as a member of the UK Government’s cross-party public policy think tank, Policy Connect. As part of its membership, CEDIA has become an associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology and will help oversee the Smart Homes and Independent Living Commission. Matt Nimmons, Managing Director EMEA CEDIA, comments, “We are honoured to join Policy Connect and become a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology. Using technology to support independent living is an increasingly important business area for our members. This appointment means we can be at the forefront of discussions and able to influence policy and legislation around smart home technologies for disabled and older people. We will be inviting members to get involved and be part of shaping how policy evolves in this area.” Policy Connect is a cross-party public policy Think Tank that specialises in running parliamentary groups and commissions. It works across a number of policy areas and industries, ranging from manufacturing and design to healthcare and climate change. The commission itself makes recommendations to government about how the latest technologies for the home can be used to help disabled and older people lead healthy, independent and socially rewarding domestic lives. It is examining a number of issues facing suppliers and consumers including:
• Building technology training and skills development across the health and social care workforce • Supporting disabled and older consumers to purchase smart technology products, systems and services through improved advice, information and hands-on assistance from retailers and other providers.
The Commission’s report will be published later this year and 2022 will see the key stakeholders come together to showcase the potential smart home technology has to improve lives. For more information about CEDIA visit www.cedia.net and for further details on Policy Connect visit www.policyconnect.org.uk.
• Developing better housing planning policies at national and local authority levels that make the most of the range of available residential technologies
18 DECEMBER 2021
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