A key advisor to the University of Dundee's communication systems research team will premiere his inspirational multimedia production about the experience of disability on Wednesday July 9.
Alan McGregor, from Glamis, has been non-speaking since birth because of cerebral palsy, but has refused to let his condition hinder him. As well as travelling the world using a computer speech output system developed at the University to give talks about his experiences, he has competed in the Paralympics and composes and records his own music.
Now Alan has produced a witty multimedia presentation called 'We Need a Voice and to be Seen in the World' which will be shown for the first time at 7.30pm in the Mackinnon Centre, Broughty Ferry, on Wednesday. Local film maker Glen Millar has assisted Alan in combining thescript and music to create the presentation, which Alan hopes to take to schools, colleges and other groups around the UK.
Dr Mary Dowager Countess of Strathmore, who has known Alan's family in Glamis since he was a boy, will give a welcome on Wednesday evening, while other guests include Cllr Helen Wright, Convener of Dundee City Council Social Work Committee. A number of sponsors helped to make the presentation possible, including Capability Scotland, Communication Matters and the Hugh Fraser Foundation.
Communicating with his word board and thehelp of a volunteer, Alan said, "I would like as many people as possible to hear the message of my presentation. I think they will find it fun, as well as telling them something new."
Professor Alan Newell of the University's Applied Computing Division, said, "Alan McGregor has played a vital part as a volunteer within the research team in Applied Computing at Dundee University for over fifteen years. Throughout that time he has made a substantial contribution to research into developing communication systems for non-speaking people, by contributing ideas and insights, as well as commenting on and evaluating systems designed at Dundee. During this time he has become a very well known and well liked figure in the international research community.
Alan is an excellent role model for non-speaking people, and the message which is given in the multi-media presentation should be very valuable to non-speaking people and to health and other professionals who interact with and support them.
Anyone interested in attending the event, or any groups interested in inviting Alan to give their presentation can contact Dr Norman Almat the University s Applied Computing Department on 01382 345596.
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk