Speakers
- Anne Stafford, Manages iT4Comunities, overseeing transition of ITCanHelp into AbilityNet
- Steve King, ITCanHelp Volunteer in Liverpool Area
- Neville Bramhall, North West Organiser for ITCanHelp
This joint BCS Health Northern and Manchester Branch event is free and open to everyone.
IT and the internet, increasingly vital for full social and economic inclusion, can transform the life experience of disabled people for good. However, many barriers can make accessing and using computers and the web difficult or impossible for people with a range of impairments. Our speakers will update you on the current work of AbilityNet and the part that they are playing realising the abilities of people with limiting conditions. You will be invited to partake in an active discussion about two key areas of AbilityNet’s work: Web Essentials & how the BCS is working in partnership with AbilityNet; and the volunteering programmes that AbilityNet run and how these resonate with the Big Society.
Neville and Steve will tell you something of the range of problems experienced by disabled people accessing and using IT and the internet, and the variety of support provided by ITCanHelp volunteers to disabled adults at home or in day or residential care (Including new areas such as setting up internet radios for those with visual impairments, and new methods of support including remote assistance).
AbilityNet Volunteering:
The transition of ITCanHelp from BCS to AbilityNet is now in progress. Anne Stafford will update you on the current work of the AbilityNet iT4Communities Programme, the challenges and opportunities facing them, and the exciting further growth of pro bono work that ITCanHelp within AbilityNet will bring. Both programmes build on the unquestionable willingness of IT professionals giving their time and skills to the not-for-profit sector and to those requiring specialist help.
Web essentials:
The Equality and Human Rights Commission, AbilityNet, and BCS, are proud to launch the ‘Web Accessibility Essentials Course’ – the only product of its kind in the UK. The Web Accessibility Essentials Course offers guidance on best practice across all areas of digital content creation. Not only can accessible content give your brand the edge, both commercially and ethically, but compliance with the Equality Act 2010 is a legal requirement.
This talk should appeal to all those who work with or know people who find accessing computers or the use of IT difficult due to their disabilities and those who may be interested in volunteering. It should also appeal to people interested in best practice of digital content creation
