Caral Project
(Computers As A Route To Accessible Learning)
Background
Scope’s Skills Development Centre in Cwmbran provides a learning resource for disabled people and those who may not easily gain a place in mainstream training or personal development services.
The Centre is dynamic in service provision delivering essential basic skills and key skills, through ICT, whilst creating the conditions for indicative developments and ideas to emerge.
A previously ESF funded project (DISC) in working with other local provider networks, found that there is an enduring need for this type of facility both at the centre, but also on an outreach basis i.e. in local community venues or closer to individual’s homes.
Beneficiaries of that project can continue their learning; and with the new approach, others who remain excluded from similar programmes can engage in learning that reflects their needs and style of learning within a customised learning package.
Aims
What will the Project do?
The CARAL project aims to provide access and support to disabled people, those with a sight or hearing impairment, and those who may have been excluded from formal educational or training opportunities for some time; to learn the basic skills of ICT, and also to use ICT to follow other forms of learning for: personal development, gaining qualifications or improving their job prospects.
Who can benefit?
The project is ESF funded under the Objective 1 programme. Therefore it is available to selected learners in the Objective 1 areas of, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, and Torfaen.
Places will be offered to learners on an assessment and selection basis according to the project’s criteria.
Attendance can be at the Cwmbran Centre, at designated community venues or in certain cases, at a learners home location.
Learners will receive individual and/or group tuition at a level and pace to suit their learning need and style according to their learning programme. Support will be available for practical assistance such as transport, access to venues and personal needs.
Help, advice and guidance will also be given with assisting individuals to gain access to equipment, devices and technology to help them to use computers more easily.
Linking with other Providers
The Project will network with a range of voluntary and other agencies and learning providers, to maximise the use of resources in the objective 1 areas, and allow learners to access those facilities that best suit their needs. The project will identify ‘move on’ routes for learners wishing to extend their learning in the future, with other educational or training providers.
The Project will contribute towards:
The National Basic Skills Strategy in Wales which recognises that: ‘it is not just at work that poor basic skills have a major impact, individuals with poor literacy and numeracy are less likely to vote and far less likely to get involved in community activities because they lack the skills and confidence to take part in the democratic process and in the social and economic regeneration of their communities. People with poor basic skills have to be the ‘watchers’ and not the ‘doers’. This is even more true of people with disabilities who have to overcome other barriers to inclusion. A basic level of education and training will allow them to compete at least on an equal footing.
Starting the Project
The project will be launched in January 2004 and will be advertised in local newspapers and within the voluntary network.
George Keane
Scope,
Cwmbran Skills Development Centre, Avondale Way, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran
NP44 1TS
Tel: 01633 482848
george.keane@scope.org.uk|
Ron Woods,
Scope,
Churchgate Court,
3 Church Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff
CF14 2DX
Tel: 029 2052 7004
ron.woods@scope.org.uk|