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A Seashell Trust volunteer has won a top technology award for her work with profoundly disabled children.

Rachael Moat, a Stockport-based clarinet teacher and musician, has been named Tech4Good's IT Volunteer of the Year. She was nominated for developing low-cost customised music technology, in order to encourage the students at Royal School Manchester to interact with their surroundings.

The Tech4Good Awards, run by AbilityNet, recognise organisations and individuals that use digital technology to improve the lives of others.

Rachael, who also teaches clarinet at Manchester High School and performs with a number of ensembles across the North West, volunteers once a week at Royal School Manchester. Royal School Manchester is run by Seashell Trust for children with complex needs and severe learning difficulties including little to no verbal language.

Many of the students are averse to touching different materials, but their love for music can be used to persuade them to try.

Rachael has developed bowls of food which play music. By plunging their hands into the contents of the bowls, students are able to trigger their favourite tunes. Her bowl prototype has been used at the school when filled up with water, and also works with foodstuffs such as custard or spaghetti hoops. Rachael said: “My hope is that this technology could be used to encourage students to expand a limited diet.”

Using the Skoog, a musical cube which triggers sound on touch, and self-customised technology Rachael has also encouraged students to overcome difficulties with interacting and independence.

She explained: “One such student is very motivated by music, and a hand sign for music is one of the limited signs he uses to communicate. He enjoyed listening to a variety of music but could not independently initiate playback. I set up the Skoog to allow him to create his own music for the first time in his life while increasing his tolerance to touch.”

Anne Gough, deputy head of school, said: “Rachael is unbelievably innovative in the way she uses technology to enable children and young people with severe to profound sensory, physical and learning difficulties overcome these barriers to learning. Tactile defensive children have learnt to overcome their defensiveness and interact with a wider range of stimuli by being rewarded with their favourite music/song as soon as they touch the contents of a bowl.

“Students who have limited ability to communicate with intent have been given the opportunity to interact with technology and intentionally make their own music without any adult intervention or support. Her creativity has led to an increase in students' awareness, participation, confidence and self-esteem and students. Parents and staff are very appreciative of her commitment to developing and providing these opportunities.”

Kate Russell, presenter of the tech show BBC Click presented Rachael with her award at a ceremony at the BT Centre, London, along with judge Anahid Basmajian; and Mark Walker from AbilityNet.

Hear Rachel talk to BBC Radio Manchester's Andy Crane about her award and the work she does at Seashell Trust here at the 1 hour 10m mark.

Photo credit: Liam Arthur www.liamarthur.com