News Archive
AbilityNet will be giving demonstrations at PC World
To promote the use accessible technology for individuals and organisations, members of staff from AbilityNet will be giving demonstrations of the kinds of hardware and software available in-store at PC World.
On Saturday 16th February they will be on hand at the Merthyr Tydfil PC World store at Prentrebach Retail Park, and on Saturday 1st March will be giving free demonstrations and advice at Newport PC World store at Newport Retail Park. Both days’ demonstrations will run from 9:00 through to 5:00.
Feel free to come along and see what technology can offer to help make the use of a computer easier and more enjoyable!
SOC training day
The final four year one Switched on Communities (SOC) Centres received their Accessibility Kits and training on 5th February. As well as finding out about different ways of making computer technology accessible for all, the group were able to take part in a variety of exercises and demonstrations of the kinds of technology available. Staff from PC World, who are funding the project, were also on hand to see the project launched in Wales.
Centre staff now hopefully feel confident enough to begin providing advice and guidance to anyone wishing to know more about what is possible with the use of Accessible Technology. For a full list of the existing Switched on Communities Centres, please visit http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/athome_com_support.
Vihing joins the team
Vihing Lee has joined the AbilityNet project team. Vihing has joined AbilityNet from Electroville, in Electroville Vihing was AbilityNet’s accessibility champion and worked with Colin Harrison under the ICT HUB project. Vihing will help Oli and Dianne deliver the SOC and SSOC project.
Free training to Belfast VCOs
Oli fly’s over to Belfast to train more local charities on the enabling power of ICT. The training was held at Disability Action.
Islanders receive free mini kits
AbilityNet has trained more VCOs through the switched on communities project. A group of VCO from the isles of Wight were trained on how to adapt a computer for individuals with a disability, in addition to receiving over £500 worth of assistive technology. The training took place at The Riverside Centre in Newport. A second session is booked for the end of January 2008.
AbilityNet starts to train the new VCOs
AbilityNet has started to train the year 2 organisations on their freely provided mini kits. Each mini kit in excess of £500.
New and old partners meet to share ideas and experiences
Switched On Communities Partner Momentum demonstrates assistive technology in the PC World East Kilbride Store.
The third Switched On Communities network day took place one the 10th September hosted by Cambridge on-line. It was an opportunities for the exiting partners to meet the new partners to share experience and expertises.
The day was designed around the theme dyslexia and literacy difficulties with an afternoon workshops and open discussion on the subject. In addition each community partner was given the opportunity to demonstrate some assistive technology and assess how they feel it may help an individual.
VCOs in Cambridge Receive their Free Assistive Mini Kits
10 Voluntary and Community Organisation in Cambridge received their free mini kits that thought the SOC project. They can now use this equipment and training to help enable some of their service users to access a computer and to spread the positive word of accessibility.
East Kilbride's PC World moves with Momentum
Switched On Communities Partner Momentum demonstrates assistive technology in the PC World East Kilbride Store.
Derek Kelter and Garry Ryan from Momentum were on hand with PC World employee Gary Miller to talk to customers about how assistive technology can be used to make computers accessible to disabled people.
Foresight Link up with PC World Grimsby
Grimsby based charity Foresight, receives equipment, training and support funded by PC World to enable many disabled people to access a computer.
Sue Bell and Adrian Wilson from Foresight demonstrate and discuss the new assistive technology with Tony Reffell the Customer Services manager from Grimsby's PC World.
Free Training Sessions for 32 VCOs
32 voluntary sector organisations (VCOs) linked with partners have been on AbilityNet training sessions. The training sessions have provided practical help demonstrating how centres can make the most of standard accessibility features and use the mini-kits that have been provided through the switched on communities project.
In the words of one of our delegates: "I have gained invaluable extra knowledge to enable me to give a better service to my clients."
DSGI launch Switched On Communities
The Switched On Communities programme was launched on 12 July 2006 at St Antony's Primary school in Bow.
The event was attended by various stakeholders and hosted by the DSG international Chairman, Sir John Collins.
Sir John said "DSGi has funded charities for many years and I'm proud of the passion and generosity shown by our employees in supporting so many projects. But this initiative represents a real leap forward for our community programme. Not just because of the scope, but also because our choice of theme and our careful selection of charities means we are uniquely placed to put real expertise and know-how behind each project.
DSGi provides market-leading technology for millions of customers every year, but this is an opportunity to ensure that we can reach out to everyone that is impacted by the ever increasing role of technology in today's society: not just our customers."