Message board for families of Children with Additional Needs

IT Help for Disabled People (0 Replies)

IT Can Help is a network of volunteers who are able to offer free local computer assistance to disabled people, usually in their own homes. We can diagnose and fix most computer related problems, install and set up hardware, software, internet, email and accessibility settings. A couple of questions that sometimes pop-up when describing what we do the first is why can’t disabled people just use commercial services like everybody else? It’s a fair question, and goes to the heart of who we are. It should be said that many disabled people satisfactorily use, and pay for, local services, but if you are on benefits the cost to diagnose and fix a tricky computer problem may be prohibitive. There is also the benefit when dealing with an IT Can Help volunteer in that there is no commercial incentive and that frees us to offer impartial advice. Often, using a computer is not straightforward for a disabled person, he or she may have dexterity problems, visual impairment, memory shortcomings, a range of issues that can be addressed, in many cases, by adjustments, special switches and other devices, and special software like screen readers. The second question is ‘how do you define a disabled person’? We all probably have an image of a person in a wheelchair, but what of the person receiving treatment for cancer, the elderly person too infirm to get out and about (and maybe strenuously denying that they are disabled)? My answer has been that our service has never been abused; the people we have helped have all been ‘deserving’, in the sense that they have been disadvantaged in some way, and this may be a temporary situation, and have needed the special service that we provide. Health professionals, for example, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Health Visitors, Rehabilitation Workers, refer their clients to IT Can Help in situations where a computer is playing a role in the maintenance of the well-being of their charges. Just one example is RB who suffers from MS and whose physical strength has deteriorated to the point where normal interaction with his computer is impossible. Working with the therapists the volunteer configured speech recognition software on RB’s computer and assisted with the vital step of training the software to recognise RB’s voice. As volunteers we are frequently in awe of the sheer will-power and determination that some of the disabled people we help bring to the task of utilising IT. If you have ever experienced difficulty using a computer, and which of us hasn’t, try doing it with closed eyes. KM is totally blind and has recently completed a university degree. Our volunteer worked with him to set up and configure his computer to run screen-reading software but that was the easy part. As well as the academic load KM had to master utilisation of the software, not an easy task requiring feats of memory few of us could achieve. It’s a separate topic, but it should be said, not all web developers produce sites that are accessible by disabled people. Rapid advances in ICT in recent years have put people with a learning disability and their carers at risk of increasing levels of social exclusion. Government, retailers, health services and education are seeking to streamline services and reduce costs by offering access to their services via the web. In 2009 IT Can Help was invited to participate in the Mencap led LiveNet project funded by The Big Lottery. By developing their ICT skills and networks of support, LiveNet will help children and adults with a learning disability, and their carers, to use the huge potential of ICT to improve their lives and access the support and information they need. The project provides a range of learning opportunities to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing, gain access to information and connect with their community. Participants in LiveNet will engage with a wide range of digital devices and software, including computers and the internet, mobile phones, games consoles iPods and mp3 players. We have also made use of digital cameras and digital video recording equipment in our ICT workshops. Visit www.itcanhelp.org.uk for more information about IT Can Help. To learn about LiveNet visit www.livenet.org.uk. www.citylinkmedia.co.uk

8 year old boy with aspergers looking for a friend to share leggo hobby with! (1 Replies)

Hi was just wandering if anyone out there has a son like mine who despite having a winning personality, is struggling to make friends because he is currently at home awaiting a school placement! He is a real chatterbox and would love to have a friend of similar age to share leggo tips and swap wii games with. He is eight years of age. I just wandered if there was any one out there with a boy of similar age who is lonley too and looking for friendship.

Aspergers friends (1 Replies)

I have an 11 year old son who is struggling with making friends at his new school. Does anyone have an aspergers child that would like a friend to have some fun and share their difficulties with? Or is anyone aware of any clubs where he might find it easier to socialise?

Ritalin (3 Replies)

It has been suggested that my son start on Ritalin for ADHD. Does anyone have any experience of using this medication please?

Kabuki Syndrome (3 Replies)

Was just wondering if there was another family in the Berkre area that had a child diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome????

Legoland Discount - can use with CAN Card (0 Replies)

A CAN Network parent has very kindly shared this money-saving tip… Lastminute.com are currently selling a Full Annual Children's pass for just £10 (normal online price would be £47.70) - the only catch is that it MUST be redeemed in person before 31 May 2009. Full details are here: http://www.lastminute.com/site/entertainment/event-product.html?skin=engb.lastminute.com&eventID=643692124-1&venueIDCode=4 When used with the CAN card, it means that a carer and child can visit legoland as many times as they like in a whole year, for only £10. There’s not much time left to take up this offer, and with half-term coming up, now is an ideal opportunity! If you would like a CAN card for your child, contact me on lucy.skye@wokingham.gov.uk or call 0118 974 3750

Parenting Help (0 Replies)

Thought this would be a really useful link to all the parents here (especially in these bad economical times) http://my.bounty.com/forums/Subject/8/1/1/Special-offers-competitions.htm Lots of special offers and deals and the like. Hope everyone finds it useful x

school residential trip (2 Replies)

My son has a statement of over 20 hours and the school have stated that he will be unable to attend the residential trip due to his behaviour. Surely the school should provide support for him on this trip? Please has anyone any information about this? Thank you.

West Berkre Down's Syndrome Group - Little Darlings Support Group (0 Replies)

Just wanted to let people know that we are starting up a childrens/toddler group to help support families and carers of young children with Down's Syndrome. Our first one will be on Friday 6th March 2009, 9.30am to 12 at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley. We are hoping to then run the group every alternate week during the term. Please contact me on 07847 327528 if you would like any further information. Thanks Charlie Williams Group Administrator