We are now entering the final few months of the 3 year Sustaining Switched On Communities project which aims to make a lasting and sustainable impact on the capacity of Voluntary & Community Organisations (VCOs) to support individuals with a disability through ICT technology and training.

LCIL is the East Midlands regional partner for the project which is led by AbilityNet - a national charity helping disabled adults and children to use computers and the Internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.

LCIL’s role in this project is:

· To promote the use of assistive technology to overcome barriers and provide opportunities for disabled people.

· To work with, and assist, Voluntary & Community Organisations in the East Midlands region who wish to offer accessible IT services to members of their local community.

· To provide on-going advice and support to these VCOs and their beneficiaries regarding the use of assistive ICT technology.

· To support and undertake online and face-to-face assessments designed to improve accessibility to computers by increasing awareness.

Since LCIL became involved in the project in 2008 the number of VCOs in the East Midlands has grown to 32, and together we have been able to support more than 4800 beneficiaries with:

· Advice and guidance on the availability and use of adaptive resources such as keyboards, mice, trackballs and switches

· Advice and guidance on screen reader, magnification and text‑to‑speech programs

· Advice and guidance on the accessibility options available in MicrosoftWindows

· Assessments to establish a better way of using their computer

· Publicity about the AbilityNet web site

Although the project is now closed for recruitment of new VCOs we are still keen to discuss the project with any non-profit making organisations and VCOs. For more information please contact:

Alan Rowsell on 0116 222 5005 email alan.rowsell@lcil.org.uk

or Vihing Lee on 0800269545 email vihing.lee@abilitynet.org.uk

or visit http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/soc