A NEW voice activated technology is offering a lifeline to those with varying support needs to gain access to support and activities taking place in their local communities.
Developed by award winning Scottish technology company, TL Tech, and powered by Amazon Alexa, ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) is the first voice application of its kind and has been developed in collaboration with the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE).
ALISS, funded by the Scottish Government, is a national digital system that enables people and professionals across the country to find and share information on services, groups, activities and resources in their local communities.
The online information hub helps people across the country tap into a range of services that provide support for issues such as managing long term conditions as well as access to social, community and sports groups available in their local area. It also provides access to forums on health and social care and advisory services for financial and legal issues.
ALISS for Alexa is the newly launched voice activated version of the online information hub developed by fusing TL Tech’s technical ability with the rich data provided by ALISS. By using voice commands, the user can simply say “Alexa, enable My Scottish Community” and ‘ask Alexa’ for what they would like to find with the aim of supporting those with low digital literacy, or who may have a physical condition or disability, to stay connected to their communities and access the support they need when they need it most.
TL Tech Managing Director and co-founder, Caroline Laurenson, said, “We are proud to support the launch of ALISS on Amazon Alexa smart speakers. The use of voice technology offers everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities, a new way to engage with the wider world, providing increased independence and autonomy.
“To be able to access information on activities taking place in your local area by simply asking Alexa is an exciting development and a great example of how technology can be used to make access to information more convenient.”
ALISS for Alexa is geared towards helping people from all backgrounds, including those new to their local area and looking for connection and friendship or those simply looking for more information on clubs or groups they can get involved in.
“We have developed the voice version of ALISS to be user-friendly with accessibility as a top priority,” continued Caroline.
“Technology should be about making our lives easier, and we are proud to be at the forefront of developing a technology that aims to improve the quality of life for millions of Scots.”
Chris Mackie, Digital Assistant Director at the ALLIANCE said, “Our aim is to ensure everyone in Scotland has the right information, at the right time, about resources that are available to help them live well and stay connected to their community. ALISS is co-produced with people and professionals across Scotland’s communities, and we believe one of the keys to living well is having access to local and national resources.
“Voice communication is our most natural way of interacting with others and to be able to offer a voice activated version of ALISS with the potential to increase social interaction is an important step toward reducing social isolation and loneliness in Scotland.”
For more information on TL Tech, visit www.tltechsmart.com
For more information on ALISS, visit: www.aliss.org/about-aliss
