For immediate release: 19 June 2009, 07.00AM
FeONIC signs Agreement with Spearheading Limited
FeONIC Plc ("FeONIC" or "the Company"), the innovative UK audio technology
company, is pleased to announce it has signed a distribution agreement with
Spearheading Limited ("Spearheading") to address the needs of people who have
hearing loss in the United Kingdom.
Spearheading specialises in advising businesses and organisations on the
responsibilities they must meet under the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act
("DDA"). To meet their requirements under the DDA, employers and service
providers have a duty to ensure "equal access" for all in their buildings -
this requirement applying as much to sound-related as mobility-related issues.
In the UK it is estimated there are some 9 million people who suffer from
hearing related problems.
Mark McConway, Marketing Director at Spearheading, commented:
"It has been calculated that only two million of the nine million people who
have hearing impairments in the UK have been able to benefit from hearing aids
allied to induction loops and other assistive devices. As a result, there is a
significant percentage of the British population for whom public building
spaces represent an "acoustically aggressive" environment. This is mainly due
to the unevenness of sound quality - and reach - of traditional public address
systems. FeONIC's technology has the ability to radically alter this, allowing
businesses not only to meet their requirements under the DDA but also to
improve the sound quality for everyone. FeONIC is closing the gap between clear
sound for some and clear sound for all. That is the aspiration of Universal
Accessibility and we are delighted to be playing our part in that vanguard."
Spearheading currently works with a range of private, public, educational and
transport related businesses on systems and technologies that have the ability
to minimise the sound distorting effects that background noise in buildings and
stations can have for people wearing hearing aids and those with hearing
impairments. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Spearheading will
incorporate FeONIC's audio products into the bespoke, DDA-centred solutions
that it offers.
Brenda Hopkins, Chairman of FeONIC, added:
"We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Spearheading. It opens up
an aspect of the market where historically we have had no exposure - DDA issues
being particularly relevant to educational and governmental related buildings,
as well as to transport hubs. We look forward to supporting Spearheading in
their marketing activity."
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About FeONIC
FeONIC Plc (PLUS: FEO) designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a range
of uniquely powerful audio products. The company's technology turns virtually
any resonant structures and surfaces into loudspeakers. The products are
currently used in public buildings, the transport industry and the marine
environment and are also available for home use. www.feonic.com
About Spearheading Limited
Spearheading Limited was established in 2001 in Glasgow to provide specialist
accessibility solutions to help people with disabilities. The company provides
consultancy, training and product solutions to assist organisations in meeting
the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and to push the
possibilities for Universal Accessibility that new technology is now allowing.
www.spearheading.net
For Further Information:
FeONIC Plc
Brenda Hopkins,
Chairman Tel: 01482 806688
Graham Beswick,
Finance & Commercial Director Tel: 0779 8937021
Gth media relations
Christian Pickel Tel: 020 7153 8036
Toby Hall Tel: 020 7153 8039
Spearheading Limited
Mark McConway Tel: 0141 564 5271
The directors of FeONIC Plc accept responsibility for this announcement.
END