Many people with disabilities can be helped to lead a full life by Information Technology (IT) in one form or another. But if computers or IT have not been part of your life before, how do you get started? And when you have taken your first faltering steps, what if you get a problem that you can't solve. The problem might be connected with computers. communications devices, software, or any other related issue. The purpose of 'I.T.-Can-Help' is to offer computer assistance to individuals by providing volunteers who will visit people in their own homes and at other locations such as day centres. The network aims to assist those people for whom the computer is their principal means of communication, helping them to write or speak. It will aid those people who find the official sources of support, either statutory or commercial, to be ineffective. The network will help individuals with their immediate problems and assist them in building the own local support structure. The network aims to use the knowledge it gains from the project to bring improvements to official support services.

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCHEME

The British Computer Society - Disability Group (BCSDG) is a membership organisation that looks at the way computer technology can effectively assist people with disabilies. It has been working in the voluntary disability sector for over 20 years and is involved in several projects that enable disabled people to get the utmost out of computers. REMAP, a national body of engineers that has also been active in the voluntary disability sector for many years, has joined the BCSDG in supporting 'I.T.-Can-Help'. REMAP's existing national set-up of over 100 panels widens the support given to many clients of the service, because of it's vast experience of adapting and making special equipment for people with any disability.

WHERE THE SCHEME OPERATES

A limited area pilot scheme, covering three counties in southern England, has been running since August 1994. This has allowed BCSDG to assess the running costs of the service, which is FREE for people with disabilities. The pilot project has proved, without doubt, the effectiveness and overall need for a voluntary service of this nature. Now with the benefit of sponsorship from organisations such as the Post Office, Canon, Delphi Group and others, I.T.-Can-Help is expanding rapidly, with more Counties becoming operational. The goal, is to ultimately cover the whole country with this voluntary service.