Lucinda Ritchie

Eye Gaze User, Ambassador for SpecialEffect, MSc Sustainability Student, Gamer, Accessibility driver

Digital and Tech

Lucinda is an Eye Gaze user who loves gaming, passionate about Sustainability, and improving overall accessibility.

Throughout childhood, Lucinda was constantly encouraged to do her best in everything she did and face any challenges head-on. This philosophy has been a major driving factor over the last few years – including in recent ventures and when assisting other people.

Lucinda also constantly strives to push the boundaries of accessibility, with the aim of seeking improvements (particularly physical and technological) in a way that is also sustainable. She is constantly considering how elements could be more environmentally friendly, but ensuring that accessibility has a key role.

Approximately six years ago Lucinda became an Eye Gaze user after losing the ability to communicate verbally. As someone who had newly graduated in Geography and Environmental Studies with hopes of further study the following year, Lucinda was forced to put this hold while a new method of communication was found. Six months after losing her verbal communication, Lucinda trialled an Eye Gaze, and took to it instantly. Eye Gaze remains Lucinda’s main mode of communication mode now and she is currently studying MSc Sustainability.

Whilst growing up, gaming not only created a source of fun, but also an escape space. After Lucinda successfully became familiar with various different Eye Gaze set-ups, SpecialEffect, a charity helping disabled people game and access other areas, were contacted. Fortunately a solution was found for Lucinda to game again.

Since then I became an ambassador for this amazing charity, and it became clear that we have many of the same aims. We’ve worked on a number projects together, including with a telepresent robot – LucindaMobil. Many of our projects have appeared on TV or had media coverage – some of which are shown below.

The SpecialEffect Eye Gaze Website
The world’s first online gaming website specific build for Eye Gaze users

The Smithsonian Guidance Tour
A guided tour around the Smithonian Museum with a LucindaMobil 3000 miles away – thought to be the first time this has been done

Donnington British Racing Greats
Meeting some of the largest gaming companies and displaying LucindaMobil.

“Delighted and honoured to be included in Disability Power 2023!
I’m an Eye Gaze user who loves gaming, is passionate about Sustainability and improving overall accessibility.”

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Disability Power 100 2023 profile information has been self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.

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