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Online Information on Employment and Training Opportunities for Disabled PeopleThe Newsletter |
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(Published Quarterly)
Table of Contents |
As more organisations and information providers recognise the advantages of using the Internet and emails, as a way of disseminating information and providing services, the issue of access has never been more important.
There are a number of initiatives promoting the Internet and its use, such as the National Grid for Learning , as well as the latest programme from the BBC ‘Webwise’.
Whilst there are undoubtedly benefits from using the Internet, unless the information is in accessible formats and the facilities are accessible, it simply provides further and new barriers for disabled people.
Over the last year the project has been promoting these issues in an attempt to raise awareness, and place the issue of access in the centre of internet provided services and facilities.
We are currently working with other organisations in an attempt for them to take on board, and agree to follow guidelines produced by the project and the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
With the relative ease that web sites can be designed the issues of ensuring access are often ignored, largely through a lack of awareness. Yet it is easy to check web site access by using the Bobby Disability Access Checker, which can be installed on your own computer (for free from http://www.cast.org/bobby/). If your organisation is interested in, meeting access standards, ensuring a greater number of people can view your site, and the issues involved please contact the project.
Last year the project trained, some 84 people, ranging from introduction days to the Internet & emails to the full Level 1 NVQ course. ‘Certificate in Telematics’.
The programme for this year’s activities is currently being finalised with the aims for providing qualifications in NVQ Levels 1 & 2 as well as the Open College Federation.
This will involve trainees already linked to the project, such as providing NVQ Level 2 training for the Information Workers, and further sessions for user groups.
We still have some capacity to take on new groups, for instance, we are currently exploring the possibilities of running courses in Chester, for the Access Group, and in Bury.
Training has started in Oldham, for groups of users from the Oldham Disability Alliance and NewVale House, and will shortly be starting for a group in Stockport, The Newbridge Centre, for workers as well as the users. There are also plans for providing a course delivered in British Sign Language following on from an initial introduction sessions with a group of Sign Language users held at the end of last year in Manchester. We will also be running taster sessions looking at the project’s Information Service, how to use it etc., as well as introducing the Internet and emails.
Although there numerous computing facilities in colleges, libraries and community centres, very few are really accessible in the truest sense. The lack of provision of accessible equipment means that although you may have physical access to the Centre there is no equal access to the use of computers.
The project has been promoting the issues in the region and welcomes the current developments in Oldham.
The Library Services have now consulted disabled people on how to improve their internet provision, and are now in the process of securing funding to provide equipment.
Guidelines on the provision of accessible facilities are also available from the project.
The Service has been designed to meet the guidelines for improving access, not only for disabled people but all users.
There will be changes made to the site over the coming year not only in relation to the information resources but to its design and look.
There are changes to be introduced to make navigation around the site easier, irrespective of the type of web browser people may be using.
The changes have come about through people ’testing’ the site, for example a group of blind/visually impaired checked out the navigation structure and suggested improvements. Although we are following good practice & guidelines, they are only pointers.
The best information is feedback from users, we welcome any ideas or suggestions.
Initial work focused on the identification of existing information Resources and desktop research, as well as contacting various organisations and disability related web sites.From this work the initial Information Service was launched, with further developments leading to information in various categories, for example, Employment & Training, Information Resources and Related Projects.
Following the identification of suitably related qualifications, the project trained workers and users from a number of disability organisations.
In total 30 workers underwent the NVQ Level 1 qualification ‘Certificate in Telematics’, in addition 54 users underwent at least basic ‘taster’ session on using the Internet and emails.
There were initial problems in the organisation of the training programme, mostly linked to the lack of awareness of the access issues involved, by computer facility providers.
This issue grew in importance as the project developed, it is important to stress the lack of awareness involved in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and their provision. It became clear that the issues around accessibility are simply not being addressed by the whole range of training, education and information providers.
There are two main area to be addressed. Firstly, computer hardware and software, and the lack of provision of accessible equipment. Secondly, web site design, an issue only just beginning to be addressed in the UK. Sites can be designed to be accessible to a range of users rather than the ‘average’ user.
There were two guideline papers produced, related the above section: accessible web page design and accessible computing facilities. (they are available from the project web site or office).
Also produced was the project newsletter, along with an Audit of Technology & Accessibility. The focus of the report was originally to establish the range of access points to the Information Society but changed in an attempt to highlight some of the access issuers involved, since they are not being addressed.
The project developed synergy with over 11 projects at a local, regional and European level. This involved activities from sharing information, and supporting project development, to joint direct work around the issues of IT and access.
We also presented paper and/or attended over 10 conferences locally, nationally and internationally, promoting the project and the access issues previously mentioned.
The Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and Training had its origin in 1995 when the Vocational Rehabilitation Branch of the International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated an international meeting of experts on employment and disability.
The meeting, on the 27th and 28th May, will be looking at the future work of GLADNET and how it can improve the economic status of disabled people.
GLADNET is a virtual organization, built on the strengths and possibilities of the Internet, bringing together the expertise of leading researchers, policy makers, organizations of and for disable people, business sector and other organizations, all committed towards a common Mission.
More information can be found at the GLADNET Web site
During the latest meeting, held in Manchester, we welcomed a new project into the partnership.
They are based in Gran Canaria and the project is providing training for 20 disabled people from the highlands region of the island. It will involve Information Technology (IT) training liked to job opportunities in tourism, graphic design and office skills.
CEPES, the Spanish partners, have now established the Telecentre and provided training in a number of related areas, for example, graphic art, translations and accounting. The next step is to formalise contracts for telework opportunities with various companies in the commercial sector.
The Italian project ‘Contatto’ has just completed its first training programme with 16 trainees, focusing on graphic design and music production. The next stage is the establishment of the Co-operative which will include further training on marketing, enterprise start-up, and market research skills.
The web site has undergone some design changes and new sections relating to Social Enterprises and Telematics & Disabilities, the information has been organised by country to reflect the organisational differences between each country.
The partners have started work on the ‘Guide to Good Practice Telematics and Disabilities’ with draft outlines of the case studies being developed and exchanged.
Further information can be found at the Transnational (TAD) Web site.
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Last updated: 6 August 1999
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