HFT Karten CTEC Centre

Supporting People with Learning Disabilities

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HFT Empowering people with learning disabilities through ICT

Two-day conference
5th Annual Conference hosted by HFT
3 and 4 May 2006
Milton Hill House
near Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Download conference flyer (PDF document)

Community Project Recognised in National Awards

An empowering centre providing training for adults with learning disabilities and their carers is one of the pioneering projects selected for the shortlist of a national award scheme that identifies and promotes the many benefits obtained from the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The HFT Karten CTEC Centre is just one of the 118 entries received and one of the 21 projects short-listed in the 2004 UK eWell-Being Awards developed by SustainIT and sponsored by BT, Vodafone and Brother with The Guardian as national media partner. The awards aim to uncover exciting new projects that use ICT to deliver environmental and/or social benefits.

This beneficial project was entered in the Digital Inclusion category, sponsored by BT. For the 2004 programme there was an additional award within the Digital Inclusion category focusing on projects that enhance ICT access and services specifically for disabled people.

The HFT Karten CTEC Centre opened in mid 2003 to provide ICT training for people supporting adults with learning disabilities and for people with learning disabilities themselves; the first centre dedicated to this purpose.

The benefits of ICT for people with learning disabilities are enormous and include the development of communication skills, lengthening of concentration spans and increased participation in everyday activities such as preparing shopping lists and menus through the use of symbol-based software. The intangible benefits of increased self-esteem and confidence are also considerable.

HFT recognises that training for staff is absolutely essential to the success of any ICT project for people with learning disabilities and a variety of courses including basic ICT skills, knowledge of accessibility software and assistive devices, use of internet, email and digital cameras are offered but are focussed on the needs of those with learning disabilities.

Said SustainIT Programme Manager Simon Hills: “Once again, the entries highlight how organisations use ICT creatively to provide tangible environmental and social benefits”.

BT has supported the eWell-Being Awards programme since its inception in 2002. Ian Wood of the Corporate Responsibility Unit said: "Digital Inclusion is a key focus for our business and our support for the eWell-Being Awards plays an important role in it. In 2004 the standard of the entries was again exceptionally high, and we are eager to champion those organisations that are leading the way such as the HFT Karten CTEC Centre”.

Winning projects will be announced at an awards ceremony at 30 St. Mary Axe, London (affectionately referred to as 'The Gherkin'), on Monday 14th March 2005.

For more information on the Awards, or if you would like to attend the awards ceremony please contact Simon Hills or Richard Craven, SustainIT on 01733 312286 or shills@ukceed.org

Pavilion - Community Care Awards

We were delighted to learn that we have been short-listed for the award in the category "Best Training Resource for Staff and Carers". We had entered our one-day training "Lifestory Workshop" which is our most popular course as it facilitates the Person Centred Approach for adults with learning disabilities.

The Award Lunch was to be held at the House of Lords on November 20 th but was postponed because of the security surrounding the Houses of Parliament during President Bush's visit. We then had to wait until 13 th January to find out whether or not we have won the award! Mary Boyce from HFT's Kent Service who had been a learner on the Lifestory Workshop and Ann Aspinall went along to the Award ceremony. They really enjoyed the experience (and the lunch!) but were a little disappointed not to have won the prize. Never mind, we have ideas for next year's entry and are already working on it.

Conference 2004

Download Conference Flyer (PDF Document) 1.1MB

Exhibitions

For the first time in 2003 we had a stand at the Special Needs IT Exhibition in the Business Design Centre, Islington. We were delighted by the amount of interest shown in our training courses and will be exhibiting again in 2004 (22 nd and 23 rd October). Put the date in your diary to come and talk to us!

For the third year running we were also present at the Learning Disability Today exhibition on November 26 th 2003 . HFT was one of the sponsors of this prestigious event, which grows each year! As well as having a stand we also ran the Technology Zone, which was a fun "hands on" area for exhibition attendees.

We followed these successes by attending "The Fringe" exhibition, which is held annually at the Hilton Olympia, London alongside BETT.

Accredited Courses

We are now able to deliver some LDAF (Learning Disability Awards Framework, see their website at www.ldaf.org.uk ) optional units, particularly PCP (Person Centred Planning) at level 2 and level 3. We are soon able to deliver Unit 144, Involve service users in communication technology.

We are currently running pilots for the new City and Guilds e-leaning course for carers called "Learning for Life". This accredited course consists of 4 modules each with 4 units. For those wanting more information please contact us.