Higher Moors Community Centre

Summary

As part of the opening of a newly refurbished pavilion, Higher Moors Community Centre (HMCA) invited the community to look around the new facility and take part in taster computer courses. Most of the visitors interested in using computers were elderly and had given up in the past, often because they had problems using a mouse or other difficulties.

HMCA decided to ask their regional ICT champion if they could run a session to raise awareness of accessibility issues and demonstrate assistive ICT technologies, followed by an opportunity for people to ask for advice and guidance on using the equipment.

What happened?

The regional ICT champion demonstrated the accessibility equipment, trained the organisation on how to use it and arranged to lend the equipment to Tavistock library for a UK On-Line promotional event.

What difference has ICT made?

Having access to the accessibility equipment meant that the staff at HMCA felt confident in using it and were able to explain how it could be used by their service users. HMCA were supported in using the kit for the first time by the regional ICT champion.

Participants who used the equipment were amazed at the variety of mice, keyboards and software available and how inexpensive it was to acquire.

What was learnt?

Loaning the equipment for an event proved a very successful way of raising the confidence of the staff at HMCA. They did not need to invest any money until they had actually seen the benefits of the equipment to their users. Once they had used it they were enthusiastic about further involvement and gradually moved towards participating in a community based inclusion project.

Find out more

Organisation’s web address

www.hmca.org.uk

Regional ICT champion

Julie Harris – South West Regional Champion (COSMIC)

Knowledgebase

 

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