Ability Business Centre
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Who is Ability Business Centre (ABC)?
How does ABC use ICT?
What difference has ICT made?
What was learnt?
How to find out more
Who is the Ability Business Centre (ABC)?
ABC is a non-profit making organisation, formed in September 2006 by Business Consultant, Susan Heppell. It is currently funded by Community Champions (to be trained in Assistive Technology) and Awards for All (who will fund a feasibility study). ABC markets itself as a business centre with a difference. The function of the centre is two-fold. Primarily, it serves to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills thereby increasing their chances of employment, self-employment and personal development.
The organisation is run by five dedicated volunteer Directors, as follows: An IT Consultant, Business Consultant, and a Disability Consultant. A further two Directors, who are registered blind, provide an important element regarding Assistive Technology at the Centre. The Centre's catchy slogan is 'As easy as ABC, reducing barriers for people with disabilities'.
How does ABC use ICT?
ABC aims to support disabled people with specific ICT disability software such as Jaws and Dragon. Jaws is a verbal reading tool and Dragon is a verbal recognition tool. It also serves to be a valued resource for the community. ABC is able to offer training on disability equality and assistive technology to organisations. It will also serve to be a place for organisations to confidently sign-post their clients to develop their skills and achieve their goals.
Recently computers and other ICT equipment have been donated to the organisation. At present the website is being developed as a pilot project. Natalie Vu-Van-Toan who works at Raspberry Frog is creating the accessible web page for ABC.
The very being of ABC is unique and innovative to meet the needs of disabled people that are marginalised because of lack of resources. This is an exciting and pioneering project working alongside other agencies in the field.
What difference has ICT made?
ABC is using ICT in many innovative ways by offering a flexible service to disabled people by providing one-to-one home visits to introduce ICT learning and Assistive Technology learning. For example, recent clients included an 81 year old who is deaf and another who is a photosensitive epileptic.
The website is being developed by a local designer and it will be ABC's first fully accessible website design.
The training programme (CreDability) is tailored to individuals using Jaws and Dragon software. To develop or improve computer skills to further employment opportunities or personal development.
What was learnt?
The use of ICT has been a valuable tool enabling people with disabilities to access business start up advice and counselling. ABC is also providing support to people with disabilities seeking employment, and aims to provide external organisations with assistive computer technology awareness training for staff. It also provides access to specialist ICT resources, disability information and research papers. A further service available is a refreshment and disability information area for disabled people to socialise, network and to provide work experience.
How to find out more
Ability Business Centre
contact sue heppell: 07786086016
email: sue.heppell@googlemail.com