News
Macclesfield learner scoops national Inspiration Award
A man from Macclesfield who has used technology to help make the most of his life has won a national Award for his determination and achievements.
Tony Gardner, 52, picked up one of just six UK online centres Inspirational Story Awards at a special ceremony in London yesterday. The Award recognises people who have overcome difficulties to use computers and the internet to make real changes to their lives, and in doing so have inspired those around them.
Tony started losing his sight in his early 40s, due to a rare condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which eventually rendered him completely blind. Increasingly isolated and frustrated, Tony was left helpless with no one to turn to, until he found out the UK online centre at the nearby Disability Information Bureau.
He explains: "As my sight was deteriorating, I battled on at work for as long as I could but I had to leave in the end – it wasn’t fair on anyone. As a hospital porter, I’ve always been active, and I loved my job – I was devastated and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was so angry that I couldn’t do all the things I wanted, the frustration soon got the better of me and I spiralled into a depression – for three years I rarely ventured out of the house."
But when Tony found out about a social group run by the Blind Society, he decided it may be time for him to take his first steps back towards a social life. "They completely changed my mindset,"
says Tony. "They encouraged me to get involved with people again. It made a huge difference to me, just having the opportunity to interact again – it might not sound much, but it was the turning point of my life. They told me about the Disability Information Bureau and their UK online centre. It wasn’t long before I was sat at a computer, and using a system called JAWS which reads out what’s on the screen.
Having never used a computer before it was daunting at first, but each time you press a key this machine tells you what you’ve pressed – it’s marvellous. I was really excited to learn a new skill, and from the minute I went into the centre I just felt comfortable. Since then it’s been full steam ahead with the IT courses – I can’t get enough! For the first time in years I have a positive future and getting a job is a very real possibility. I’ve already started volunteering at the local hospital, and I’m hoping to find work in an office or answering telephones. I feel great – it’s like I’ve got my life back on track."
Commenting on his Award, Tony said: "I’m honestly over the moon! I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved, I'm a different person now. Before, I thought ‘why me?’ – but now, learning has given me the confidence to be able to go out there and live life again. It’s helped me to overcome barriers my disability placed in front of me, and I’m ready to start hoping again."
There were hundreds of nominations for the Awards from across England, and Tony was singled out by the judges in recognition of his considerable courage and his progress in using his new IT skills to change his life for the better. He received his Award at The Globe Theatre from GMTV’s Andrea McLean, and the new Minister for Digital Inclusion Paul Murphy MP.
Speaking at the ceremony, Paul Murphy MP said: "Computers and the internet can open up whole new worlds, and getting the skills and support to use them at places like UK online centres really can change lives for the better. Tony is a perfect example, and it’s his sheer determination that has helped him achieve so much."
Andrea added: "We don’t seem to say ‘well done’ enough to people who overcome personal barriers to accomplish extraordinary things in their lives. Tony’s journey really is an inspiration to others, and I was delighted to be there to share his day, and privileged to be handing over an Award to mark his achievements."
If you want to find out how technology could help you in your life, you can find your nearest UK online centre by calling 0800 77 1234. For more information on the UK online centre at the Disability Information Bureau, currently working in partnership with AbilityNet on the Switched on Communities Project to help people with disabilities use a computer, call Laura Burns, IT Manager on 01625 501 759.
High Sheriff of the Isle of White Alan Titchmarsh drops into Riverside
Oli and Vehing out and about
Oli and Vihing have been out and about since the beginning of the year meeting and training our community partners and Voluntary Community Organisations for Switched On Communities and Sustaining Switched On Communities, attending forums and conferences up and down the country, with lots more to come in the coming months.
Extra training for charities in Wales
Richard and Oli offered more detailed training to VCOs in Wales in February.
The day was aimed at free software that VCOs could download.
EEDiL (Embedding Equality and Diversity in Learning)
Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield
5th February 2008
Celebration of 12 months work in West Yorkshire before Vihing joined AbilityNet, promoting awareness of accessibility issues for disabled learners.
Gave presentation on adaptive and assistive equipment, plus exhibited.
Pictures are of attendees trying out the equipment.
SOC Network Day, Stratford
28th February 2008
All SOC CPs attended, we enjoyed dinner and time at the pub. The actual day was based on visual impairments with Guest speakers from Humanware on CCTV, Steve Nutt on OCR and Robin Christopherson on website accessibility. CPs were blindfolded and asked to carry out tasks on the computers.
Pictures are of CPs carrying out tasks on the computers.
Regional Disability Forum, Leeds
3rd March
Exhibited at first meeting of RDF for Yorkshire & Humber the forum was set up to ensure rights of disabled people are respected and dealt with.
SME Web Event, Hull
6th March
Vihing was a guest speaker on web accessibility.
SSOC
March
Welcomed on board The Hope Foundation (North East), LCIL (East Midlands), Age Concern (West Midlands) and KeyRing (London) who are our new Community Partners.
VCO Training: Learning Difficulties and Dyslexia, Macclesfield
9th March
ICT Hub National Conference Awards, London
11th March
Oli was delivering a seminar & exhibited adaptive equipment.
VCO Training: Using Computers for Leisure, Glasgow
26th March
April
Held the first induction meeting with the new SSOC community partners to welcome then to the project
UK Online Conference, North East
25th April
Exhibited at the conference to promote for North East SSOC.
Remote Training: Mini-Kit
28th April
Provided remote training on mini-kit, software and Windows Accessibility for new SOC VCO in Scotland.
Remote Assessment: Alex
6th May onwards
Duty call and remote training for young boy with dyslexia.
VCO Training: Using Computers for Leisure, Belfast
7th May
Assessment: George
7th May (Belfast)
1:1 assessment for gentleman on placement at PSNI.
SSOC Network Day, Warwick
12th May
First network day for SSOC CPs. The day shared training on basic accessibility options, disability awareness and free assistive software.
VCO Introduction Day, Middlesbrough
14th May
Information day for potential VCOs to join SSOC. 5x VCOs were taken through the project, the mini-kit, some quick tips on Windows Accessibility and free software.
SSOC: Full Kit Training
23rd May (LCIL)
Trained staff and volunteers at LCIL.
Extra training to charities on the Isle Of Wight
27th May 2008
Making a computer accessible to 5 VCOs on the island including volunteers from the riverside centre our community partner.
Welcome to our new partners
We welcome our new partners Age Concern, The Hope Foundation, Keyring and Leicester Centre for Integrated Living. They are joining us with funding from the Big Lottery to enable each English region to have a Community Partner who will be linking with Voluntary and Community Organisations in their region to support accessibility with kit and training through links in their community.
View more news in our news archive.