University of Derby, Cromford
Address:
KARTEN CTEC CENTRE AT CROMFORD, DERBYSHIRE
The Carriage House
Mill Lane
Cromford
Derbyshire
DE4 3RQ
Centre Head:
Ian Barke
Phone number:
01629 826285
Email:
Website:
Host organisation name:
University of Derby
Date centre established:
May 2002
Focus of Centre:
The centre is part of the Cromford Mill complex and is housed in the Carriage House with ground floor reception, seminar room, IT teaching area and office; a further training room is available on the first floor.
The ground floor, of what is an old building, has been altered to allow wheelchair access throughout and the layout has been designed to facilitate movement of sight impaired students.
The location as a part of the Arkwright Mill and the Derwent Valley Heritage Site is significant for the local community in terms of placing the modern world at the centre of an old world, and for our students because it joins us to a developing commercial environment.
As a training centre we are able to offer an ever-widening curriculum supporting the University’s development of e-learning and its commitment to bringing learning in all its forms to all areas of Derbyshire.
The Clients
The centre supports people with a range of physical and sensory disabilities as well as those with mental health needs. For instance, people with Asbergers Syndrome, Autism, visually impairment and recovering stroke patients.
The Technology
The centre has 22 workstations available for students and has an array of equipment that is used to provide support
Assistive Technology
Screen reading software (JAWS), learning material adapted, Braille embosser, adaptive technologies such as various mice and tracker balls, smart cats, different types of keyboards.
Staffing
There are two full time tutors plus one part time admin/student support and one part time SFL co-ordinator; also we have three volunteers who have a wealth of experience in IT.
Opening hours:
The centre is open from 8.30 to 4.30 Monday to Friday and students can study with us on a flexible basis, a full day, half a day or as many hours has they wish.
Partnerships
Business links in the community
This centre seems to be unique in the Derbyshire Dales, Amber Valley and High Peak area so we have a lot of connections not only with local businesses but also with supportive organisations. We have links with Jobcentre plus, Connexions, Support into Employment, Home Farm Trust, Peak Park Planning and Leonard Cheshire Disability to name but a few.
Any other information
As a UK-online centre we get involved in activity days that open up the centre to different age groups and encourage people of all ages to get involved in ICT, recently we held a ‘get online event’ which was aimed at families and we held a ‘its never too late to get online’ event in May to coincide with the ‘Silver Surfers Day’.
We also have time for fun:
Let’s Get the Party Started
Our Students have their say
John one of our recent students with cerebral palsy says;
“I enjoy learning at the centre because of its friendly atmosphere were I can learn at my own pace not having to worry about keeping up with others in a class. Learning a serious subject in a light hearted manner is encouraging me to achieve my goals through the support of the tutors”
At Karten CTEC we try to make learning fun, Chuck one of our students says “I think that everybody should be interested in what they are doing which makes learning easier and life at Karten is not all work and no play.
Lunch times are spent together by both staff and students and everyone sees the humorous side to events that happen during the day. We can have debates on any subject.”
Welcoming centre to be in, made very welcome and all staff very helpful.
Overall, a very pleasant experience and environment
I really enjoyed doing the course and the staff were very helpful and friendly. The centre is a great place to learn and I will be sad not to have reason to come and learn.
Was nervous to begin with but soon settled down with the support of the staff.
I feel support given is very good. There is no other provider in the area that can give me the specialised training that I require.
The course and access to the centre have made a huge and positive difference to my use of IT at home and work
Host organisation
University of Derby
www.derby.ac.uk/trainingclubs