We're celebrating Easter in the office already with various eggs of the chocolate variety, supplied by our lovely boss*!

When we asked newish sales person, Chris, how he ate his, he replied with "in one go" ... and here's the photographic evidence! Happy Easter!

*Thanks, Simon!

We made it!
The Keytools Team got their running shoes on and ran 3 miles for Sport Relief.

Everyone was in great spirits – the sun was shining, legs were limbered and knowing that we are helping to make a difference for people who are living less fortunately than us.

Thanks
We would like to thank everyone who supported us – we raised £145 which goes directly to Sport Relief.

It’s not too late to make a difference
Loosen those purse strings and help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people both at home and across the world. Donate here

An American teenager is facing an operation on both of her wrists due to sending over 100 texts a day from her phone. Read more here.

Carpal Tunnel, usually associated with computer use, is to blame for the teen's pain. The 16 year old has lost the feeling in her hands, is unable to pick up certain objects, has to wear braces on both wrists and regularly needs pain-killing injections.

Annie Levitz said, "I started losing feeling in my hands and they'd go numb. I'd go to pick up dishes and things and they'd just fall out of my hands."

Symptoms of carpal tunnel include:

* Not being able to grasp things or losing your grip

* Frequent burning, tingling or itching

* Numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers

Read more about carpal tunnel here

With terms like 'Blackberry thumb' and other injuries caused by every day living, it's important that we do everything we can to prevent it.

Keytools are experts in RSI prevention. Call us on 023 8029 4500 ... today!

Our Keytoolians have been in training for the Sports Relief Mile in Southampton this weekend.

Becky Bluff, Liz Roberts, Ben Goddard and Jonathan Smith* will be running their socks off on Sunday all to raise money for the charity.

All 3 are bravely attempting the 3 miles rather than the 1 mile run. Hopefully they'll reach their £100 target. If you'd like to help, you can spur them on with donations here.

Best of luck to all of you!

*Jonathan Smith is currently suffering from man flu and may not be well enough to attend ... sniff sniff

Get hands on with assistive technology!

ICT Day, 15th and 16th April, Southampton

We'd like to invite you to a free event for visually impaired children, in association with the National Blind Childrens Society. This is your chance to test the best assistive technology available.

Benefits for you
* Be sure you're getting the most from your computer
* Try the latest vision impairment technology
* Ask questions directly to the experts

Ask the experts
Keytools have been helping children access computers for 20 years, and the event will be held at our fully equipped Resource Centre in Southampton.

You will also have the opportunity to meet the world leaders in life changing vision impairment technology, Optelec. Ask them questions and discuss the features of their newest innovations.

This 2 day event is held in association with The National Blind Childrens Society, who will also be on hand to share their wealth of knowledge and advice.

Choice of dates and sessions
Thursday 15th April
10:30 - 12.30 or 1:30 - 5:00

Friday 16th April
10:30 - 12:30 or 1:30 - 3:30

Book your place
Places are limited, so please reserve your place by emailing us here. We will contact you with confirmation and more details. Alternatively, call Liz Roberts on 023 8029 4548.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Keytools were delighted to attend and exhibit at this week’s National Digital Inclusion Conference (NDI10).

The conference was opened by Martha Lane Fox (Champion for Digital Inclusion), and Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Digital Britain.

Keytools has participated in a number of major UK and European inclusion programmes including, many schools initiatives, Social Inclusion through libraries, UKOnline, Learn Direct, DirectGov, and most recently the Government led Wellbeing at Work and the Home Access programme.

Keytools has become an authority on the deployment of technology in the context of overcoming access barriers and conducts regular training workshops accredited by the Royal College of Nursing and the College of Occupational Therapy.

We enjoyed the whole debate on Digital Inclusion and want to be part of solving the barriers to making it happen.

Paul Goddard, Business Development Manager at Keytools, gave his views here.

We took great delight in seeing the "Something for the Weekend" team enjoy trying out the Cleankeys keyboard, this morning on BBC2.

Tim Lovejoy seemed impressed that the smooth glass keyboard was "quite nice to type on, actually!"

They also demonstrated how easy it is to clean and keep sterile.

We'll even let them off for calling it a "Cleanways" keyboard at the end.

Find out more here.

Or take a look at the programme.

In environments where hygiene is essential, bacteria is easily spread and hard to control. Computer keyboards add to the spread of germs, and is a source which is often ignored.

The Department of Health advise that conventional keyboards should be replaced with "easy clean" keyboards in dental practices. Keytools can help you comply with this legislation.

CleanKeys
A standard keyboard takes time and effort to keep clean. The CleanKeys keyboard has no nooks or crannies to harbour dirt and bacteria, making it one of the world's easiest keyboards to clean, and extremely resistant to bacterial growth.

CleanKeys is unique in its "clean-ability" - simply wipe the smooth glass surface with your choice of disinfectant.

Key benefits

* Easy to clean - spray and wipe
* Quick to clean - cleans in 10 seconds
* Touch sensitive - touch directly or through gloves

The perfect solution
"CleanKeys ticks all my boxes for infection control. Nothing can be caught or trapped in the keyboard. And with the in-built mouse, it's the perfect solution."
R. Moody, Health & Safety Manager, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

Speak to the experts
For 20 years, Keytools has been a leading supplier of specialist computer keyboards. Our expert knowledge means we have provided IT access to the healthcare sector for many years, during which a detailed understanding of the medical sector has developed.

Our dedicated Medical Unit can give you all the help and support you need to ensure you complying with legislation.

Call Leanne Newell on 023 8029 4517 or email here for more information.

This week, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is launching a new 'charter for work', calling on policymakers, employers and healthcare professionals to take action to decrease the number of people with MSDs.

Read the BBC news story here

According to ARMA:

* MSDs are the second biggest cause of work-limiting health problems and sickness absence in the UK, responsible for up to 10 millions lost working days in 2008/09

* The cost of MSDs to society is over £7 billion

The charter contains actions developed in partnership with NHS employers, The Royal College of Nursing and The Work Foundation. The actions are:

* Better flexible working arrangements and training of line managers
* The delivery of integrated services to ensure early diagnosis and treatment
* Ensuring an open dialogue between employers and staff to manage conditions

We're delighted that the pain and cost of MSDs are being highlighted and more is being done to prevent MSDs from happening in the first place.

We'll continue to monitor the 'new work charter' and do our bit to spread the news about MSD preventative strategies.

The Goldtouch and the Evoluent make perfect ergonomic partners. Designed to fit you, they offer unmatched comfort and adjustability.

And during March you can get both for £100!

Goldtouch keyboard and Evoluent mouse

Goldtouch normally £139
Evoluent normally £65

NOW ONLY £100 for both!

That's a saving of £104!

The Goldtouch Keyboard and Evoluent Mouse combo is at a special offer price for a limited period only so hurry!