Towards the end of 2018, BID Services was thrilled to be accepted as a new Karten Centre and awarded a grant to purchase new technology and equipment to support our Employment Service for clients who have sensory impairments. Up to that point, we had some old computers which were forever crashing, causing frustration for clients and staff and making delivery very challenging.
The Employment Service was originally set up for deaf/hard of hearing clients, aimed at helping them move closer to the job market through learning how to navigate job searches online, complete applications, become more confident using computers and gain 1:1 support to help them achieve their employment goals. We now also deliver Personal Social Development sessions, helping prepare people for work and increase their confidence, self-esteem and awareness of the working world and deliver British Sign Language classes, having recently started delivering sessions for deaf clients with no recognised language and international signers.
However, we were being held back by technology, we needed more interactive kit, new computers and importantly, we wanted to open up the service to people with visual impairments, something which also affects some of our hearing impaired clients. Therefore the grant from the Ian Karten Charitable Trust and support of the Karten Network was fantastic news. Over the last few months we have purchased various pieces of equipment including laptops, an interactive smart board and software and hardware to help people with visual impairments such as JAWS and magnifiers.
We’ve had the laptops and smart board in place for a couple of months now and have already seen a huge impact for our clients. But who better to tell you about how important this equipment is to our clients than them?! Here’s a short video they’ve put together.
We’re looking forward to updating you all again down the line but if you want any more information about the Employment Service, please contact Mark Woodall or Adam Breeze at mark.woodall@bid.org.uk / adam.breeze@bid.org.uk, 0121 246 6100.
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- This article was written by the BID Employment Karten Centre Karten Centre
- Featured in the Karten Spring 2019 Newsletter
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