Information and Access Technology

Please click on the green play button below to listen to the audio version of the Information and Access Technology section of the Statutory Accounts.

Training in Information Technology (IT) and Access Technology (AT) has the power to transform the lives of sight impaired people. Equipment that can scan documents and send them to a PC that uses speech or magnification software can enable a blind person to access their own correspondence for the first time in their life. Using AT, people can regain personal control over their affairs, maintain privacy, and use digital technology for study or for work. Sadly, little mainstream AT training is accessible, so the one-to-one support and advice given by our two full-time and one part-time AT/IT Workers is in great demand.

Following a successful pilot in 2009/10, a key aim for 2010/11 was to see the provision of communications equipment continue to enable KAB service users to have greater access to technology which would enable them to communicate independently. With the aid of equipment funded by KCC in 2009/10 we have been able to offer service users the opportunity to loan pieces of equipment to ascertain what technology is likely to be most effective to meet their needs. Following assessment by our AT and Rehab workers KCC have also continued to fund new equipment for service users either directly through KAB or via direct payments as well as having provided equipment to improve the provision of AT training at our Sight Centres. A further aim was to see this provision extended to other areas and a pilot project is now successfully under way in Medway.

The cost of the AT/IT service increased from £88,134 to £100,581 in 2010/11. A change in working practice for our three staff has meant that workers have been travelling more widely across the county making the service available to a wider range of users. The purchase and provision of Communication equipment to service users has also increased direct costs by £13,000 but additional local authority income has been received to cover this. Trustees have agreed to fund this service from reserves both in 2010/11 and in 2011/12, but a key aim for 2011/12 will be to secure further trust funding for this vital service. We also hope to recruit and train new AT volunteers across the region, and will review charging for home visits to resolve hardware issues (currently provided free).

Following the generosity of the Mayor of Bromley who selected KAB as his charity of the year, donations totalling £20,176 were received from the Mayors fund and we achieved our aim for 2010/11 of setting up of a fully equipped IT facility at our Bromley Sight Centre. The IT suite was completed at the end of March 2011 and formally opened by the Mayor in July. In the early part of 2011/12 a pilot project of AT training will be provided to ascertain the best way of providing AT training to Bromley service users and a key aim for 2011/12 will be to see regular training undertaken.