Discover IT
Discover IT is an innovative programme that enables disabled people to have access to computers to develop their skills and interests. The programme consists of community computer rooms in a number of sites, with more being developed across the UK.
The services that have Discover IT suites are:
- Randall Close Day Centre, Wandsworth: First centre to open. Existing LC Day Centre funded by local authority. Focus on enabling disabled people to achieve their ambitions. Over 60% of users use Discover IT. Discover IT suite also a social enterprise producing printwork for local businesses and profits reinvested in centre.
- Chipstead Lake, Sevenoaks: London & Kent region. This was the first part-residential Service to have a Discover IT centre.
- Edinburgh, Scotland: Community based ‘Employment Opportunities’ centre open to all local disadvantaged groups. Works with Leonard Cheshire Disability Workability Team and helps provides work opportunities.
- Paisley, Scotland: One of the largest colleges in Scotland, with 21,000 students, 1,200 having a disability. Discover IT sits within the college walls as an accessible drop in facility for disabled people in the community.
- Swansea, Wales: Community based local authority activity centre for disabled people. Discover IT suite has IT skills emphasis. Also provides an outreach service. 3 users in the process of setting up a Community Interest Company (CIC).
- Weston Super Mare: Community based centre in a small high street location. The first centre to be located ‘on the high street’.
- Surrey: First LC part residential service to have a Discover IT centre. Specialises in support for disabled people with physical impairment.
- Warrington: Community based disability centre with the emphasis on promoting independent living skills. Has recently set up arts based project to display their work from their camera club to audiences in Japan.
- Derby: Specialises in employment placements and IT training. Working in partnership with Portland college for the disabled in Mansfield and local job centre. This centre is working closely with LC international to connect its service users with those overseas to encourage new friendships. Countries online so far include Sierra Leone and Pakistan
Each centre has its own unique feel. They range in size from a suite of three computers up to larger facilities with over ten machines. Each Discover IT suite has adaptations to make the computers fully accessible to disabled people and helpful advice is on hand when it's needed.
In general, a Discover IT suite will consist of hi-specification computers, each with a flat screen monitor, keyboard and mouse. Additional accessible items will include a large 24" monitor, speech-input software and speech-output software, together with a coloured keyboard for visually impaired people. Additional input devices will include a roller ball mouse, a joystick mouse, a gel-pad keyboard and mouse rests. Other accessories, such as digital cameras and projectors are added as necessary.
