Computer training for blind deaf and disabled people in their own home

Tutor Seminar - 23/10/2003

Tutor Seminar held on 23/10/2003 12:36:23 at 16 Porchester Terrace

Present:
Anthony Wigram (AW), Sally Wigram (SW), Avril Hanning (AH), Lisa Oram (LO), Faye Sherry (FS), Chris Garbett (CG), Daniel Gilson (DG), Doreen Nicholas (DN), Brian Nicholas (BN), Patricia Webb (PW), Shahab Reza (SR), Tracey Fawthrop (TF), Ndidi Ukachukwu (N

Apologies:
Tracy Pernice, Cliff Docherty, Adefemi Adedapo, Tokky Ademoyero, Judith Bartholomew, Lorraine Manning, Ademola Olayinka, Carl Gascoigne, Philip Oswu-Antwi, Tarik Duru, Yousaf Hassan, Richard Burton, Natasha Murray, Simon Smith, Evelyn White, Chris Frederi

Minutes:
1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were read. No comments were made.

2. Presentation to Tracey Fawthrop

AW presented TF with a bottle of champagne to congratulate her for achieving the highest earning of any tutor in a single month.

3. Administration – Avril Hanning.

AH explained that we were very busy in the office. We have introduced a new system of completing applications over the telephone. PW asked if the tutors could give the students the office number to make it easier but AH recommended that the best thing is for the tutors to give us their number and for us to contact them.

i. Cancellations

AH said that the cancellations are still a problem. This was discussed and AH recommended that it was up to the tutors own judgement whether or not they feel the cancellation is for a good reason. SA wanted to know what happens if a tutor cancels. AH replied and said nothing would happen.

AW showed everybody a new form titled “student cancellation form”; it will be left to the tutor’s discretion whether or not an admin charge will become applicable.

PW said it was a good form and very straightforward. AW said that hopefully it would cut down the cancellations.

NU asked if it was up to the office or the student? AH reminded everyone about the £15 fee at the beginning of the course and that the fee will be taken out of that amount, and it will be up to the admin office.

PW suggested that in the case the cancellation was wrong, the student should sign a form. AH said it was a good idea, AW suggested we see how we go.

4. Student Recruitment & Development – Chris Garbett.

i. Health & Safety

CG opened the discussion saying that Health & Safety is a very complicated matter and needs 100% attention. He said we needed all the right policies and although the office is subject to legislation, the tutors are not, but recommended as best practice they should be aware of “basics”, and all accidents need to be noted and the office informed. Any problems or queries please let CG know.

DG suggested that there be an extra box on the lesson report.

PW outlined that when you are in a blind persons home, it is very important not to move anything or if you do to put it back in it’s right place.

ii. Advertisement.

CG explained that the Transport for All magazine reached 110,000 disabled people in London, which is very efficient. He said that a new ad has been brought out; it’s nice and simple and stands out more than the last ad. It’s due to go out in two weeks time. CG said that there were a lot of complaints about the A3 posters being to big, so an A4 poster has been produced instead and CG handed them round. He went on to say that we need to double the number of application forms in 2004.

CG said that we have new contacts – Remploy and MS Society of which so far we have had good results. CG outlined initiative schools and employment (Job Centre Plus), and that the applications are generally going well so far, and if any tutor wants more students to let him know.

NU asked if we were likely to get any younger referrals. CG said that Westminster Youth Service had not gone well but that work is being done on Wolfston Centre and LEA’s and should be getting referrals from 11-18 year olds.

SR asked if we have had any response from the RNID? CG said that RNID were hard work and less than helpful, but the key lay with their Education and Employment department. (AW said that the RNID was better as the RNIB have a problem where they were constantly in competition and all major charities were like it. “Me first” attitude).

SR also asked about the BDA? CG said they were very helpful and are helping us in finding other organisations to talk to, but need to do some more work with BDA (mail shot due out Jan’2004)

PW wondered about a web link that you could go to. SR said that the RAD and BDA etc all have web links you could go into and he will help put a link on the web page for us.

iii. Development & Promotion

CG handed out a new poster, and asked everyone for his or her comments.

SA said the enabled writing is strong and why don’t we use it on the website. Everyone agreed.

AW said it was designed along with others and it was chosen especially.

DN wondered if the name U Can Do I.T could go under the wheelchair logo. CG said it would be a good idea.

DG thought that the logo was a copyright and he had seen it before, but was assured by CG that it was our own design and it is ok. SA agreed and said it couldn’t be a copyright because we have used the enabled sign and keyboard around the wheelchair logo, but DG said it was dangerous ground.

BF mentioned that not all students are wheelchair bound and wouldn’t it be putting the wrong message out. KP suggested that we used another sign. SR recommended a sign with a hearing aid, visual and disabled logo on so it welcomes everyone who has different disabilities. MC said he liked the look of the LYNX logo from the advert and wasn’t too keen on the wheelchair logo produced. AW said it was a good idea and will be looked at.

KP and TF asked if there were any packs, which they could take to give out to potential students. TA recommended advertisement.

AW mentioned that there was an earning potential and you could earn an extra £34.

5. Funding – Chris Frederick.

AW spoke on behalf of Chris Frederick who was absent. Everything is going well and Chris is hard at work. Applications have been made, and so far small amounts have come back. AW explained that funding is going through a bad patch at present and the London Boroughs are the hardest but we shall see.
AW said the best way to get it moving is personal contacts, anyone who knows anyone rich! Contacts are the best and if anyone has any ideas to get in contact.

PW suggested Bill Gates Foundation as he gives money to charities involved with computers. AW said that we had approached the Foundation but they were too busy with Africa and other countries at present.

DN recommended putting our name out. AW said again that personal contacts are the key. If anything comes up please get in touch.

6. Tutor Training – Patricia Webb.

PW said that Dolphin have come back saying that they will teach all tutors for free as long as we come up with the venue. The training is for the Supernova 5, which hopefully will be comparable to JAWS and different to Supernova. Recommendation was made that all tutors should take up this offer.

NU asked about the cost of funding, how long the training would take and if any special hardware was needed? (PW replied in saying that a list was made of all charities for funding, the training for Supernova 5 would be about 6 months and no special hardware was required).

AW recommended that all tutors should take up the offer and that everyone would get
paid as we do have the funding.

AQA Unit Tests

PW handed out the AQA information, she said it would be good to use after each lesson. The students will receive a certificate, which is approved just like the European Computer Driving Licence. The form is broken down in to 12 sections, which should structure the lessons better. The overall view was that it was a good idea and that students would enjoy receiving a valid certificate for the course.

CG said that it would be recognised by 1 out of 7 examination boards and the student can then have something official to show employees should they wish to start work.

AW said it should be out in the next couple of weeks and encouraged all tutors to use it.

DN said it was a good idea as it might cut down the number of cancellations because it is a proper certificate, which is recognised by an examination board.

AW reminded the tutor that students might want extra lessons if they know they will receive a certificate and to be careful.

7. Employment Sheet – Economic Case – Anthony Wigram.

AW showed everybody a new Employment / Education sheet which is being sent out with all application forms.

AW said how important it was to make the student aware of learning the computer. For example the time it would take a student to do their shopping on line instead of getting family or the carer to go out and also banking, how easy it would be.
AW said that we were hoping to receive a £2k grant so that we could also as a charity provide computers.

8. Graduate Policy Forum

DN said that the most recent graduates were invited to attend a Graduates Policy Forum. Different issues were discussed and a report has been prepared. 14 graduates attended.

SA recommended a graduate party; maybe they have disabled relatives or friends they could bring with them. AW said he would think about it.

NS asked where it would be held. AW responded by saying that it would be held in the Community Centre in Smith Street where the Graduate Policy Forum was held, it can hold up to 40 guests.

DG asked if the Graduate Policy Forum had been advertised in magazines. CG said no, and hadn’t really thought about it.

AW said he would like to get a celebrity to come and hand out the certificates, PW suggested a disabled celebrity.

AW finished by saying that everyone should encourage students to become volunteers.

PW said that a volunteer’s pack is available, and there are 3 different volunteers work:
1. Sending out posters and or leaflets.
2. Writing letters to local councils etc.
3. Contact local organisations.
There is also a CD available with templates of letters.

NU asked whom they would call and PW said they should contact DN.

NU also asked if the pack was available to take to students and DN said it was in progress and that the CD’s will be ready soon, the new enabled sign will also be used on the CD.

9. Development of Students Notes – Margaret Power.

MP introduced a new trainees handout – “Introduction to the Internet”, she said although it’s still in progress, she has had very good response already and welcomed any feedback regarding it.

AW said that these notes would be put on the website. It was also raised that it could go on a CD or disk (for tutors only) when the tutor needs to demonstrate to students or for their homework.

10. Any other business.

Date for the Christmas drinks was confirmed - 09th December 2003 @ 6pm to be held at The Phoenix, Smith Street. This will be an informal evening and all tutors are welcome.

End of minutes.

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