Charity looks to boost IT training

14:35 11th December 2009

A Manchester-based charity is investing new funding in the development of IT training courses to encourage more visually impaired people to find IT careers.

Henshaws Society for Blind People is now looking for a venue to host the IT training sessions, after receiving funding to buy new laptops and course materials that will help people who are visually impaired to develop their computer skills.

It is hoped the new training courses will help more partially-sighted people to find employment, with the potential that some could end up in IT careers if employers recognise their potential.

"Our course provides people with the first steps people need on the road to employment or further training," explained Henshaws community services manager Mark Belcher.

The charity said many employers are not aware of the skills that people with visual impairments could offer, but it hopes the new IT training will encourage more businesses to recognise that partially-sighted workers can carry out many of the same tasks as other workers.

Henshaws provides expert care, advice and training to those affected by sight loss, including friends and families, as well as working with people who have learning and physical difficulties.

Written by Paul Jarvis

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