Access to subsidised training: see new video of case study loaded below
Do you know someone who is isolated, stuck at home and unable to get around easily, possibly with depression or a condition such as arthritis which makes mobility of the hands very difficult? Around 1 in 7 of the population are affected by these issues, the majority of whom are over 55. Half of all over 75 year olds live on their own.
Stroud Computer Training is offering subsidised training in conjunction with local companies and trusts interested in important community care and wellbeing initiatives. This initiative is supported by local GP's but not financially. Would you or your company be interested in helping with sponsorship? We are looking for help with both the training and provision of equipment in certain cases. If so, please click here. Please take a look at this short video of a case study, taken with an iPad 4 instead of a conventional camcorder. Susanna Kenney is 74, fairly immobile without a wheelchair and with quite severe arthritis in her hands. Below the video are the two parts of the Anna King (BBC Radio Gloucester) interview that was aired on the 25th September and more photos of Melissa with other clients, one being trained on the use of an iPad, followed by a client demonstration.
Stroud Computer Training is offering subsidised training in conjunction with local companies and trusts interested in important community care and wellbeing initiatives. This initiative is supported by local GP's but not financially. Would you or your company be interested in helping with sponsorship? We are looking for help with both the training and provision of equipment in certain cases. If so, please click here. Please take a look at this short video of a case study, taken with an iPad 4 instead of a conventional camcorder. Susanna Kenney is 74, fairly immobile without a wheelchair and with quite severe arthritis in her hands. Below the video are the two parts of the Anna King (BBC Radio Gloucester) interview that was aired on the 25th September and more photos of Melissa with other clients, one being trained on the use of an iPad, followed by a client demonstration.
Susanna Kenney talking to Lesley Hirons of the NHS about her iPad training experience
Susanna Kenney demonstrating her new found confidence with her iPad to Lesley Hirons of the NHS. Susanna has now had two book reviews published that she typed herself on her iPad and emailed to the organisation who had requested them. She is rightly proud of her progress, and so am I. From a nervous start, Susanna is now able to shop online, google, take photographs and keep in touch with whoever she wants by email. It has given her a new window on the world.
Susanna is mainly housebound and has quite severe arthritis in her hands so the iPad has been the perfect answer to her requirements. She did have a computer before but it gradually became unusable as keyboard and mouse became difficult for her to manage comfortably. In the video she talks about what she can do with her iPad and how the touch screen makes it easy for her to do a lot more than she thought would be possible.
Susanna is mainly housebound and has quite severe arthritis in her hands so the iPad has been the perfect answer to her requirements. She did have a computer before but it gradually became unusable as keyboard and mouse became difficult for her to manage comfortably. In the video she talks about what she can do with her iPad and how the touch screen makes it easy for her to do a lot more than she thought would be possible.
Here is Melissa training one of her clients in her own home on her own iPad. Ellen is now happy using email, online shopping and reading documents.
Melissa demonstrating the differences between an iPad tablet and a laptop - especially with regard to the weight of both, and ease of use of a touch screen in comparison with a trackpad mouse, and a keyboard. Michael now intends to buy a tablet - probably either an Android or a Google version.
As the benefit system is being transferred wholly online in the near future, someone you know who is currently not online will need to have access to the internet, either in their own home, in the local library or internet cafe. However, if the whole concept of being online is totally new to them/you, it will be necessary to acquire the knowledge that will make the online world accessible and without stress. It will soon be possible to apply for help to solve this problem - via the GP's surgery, CPN or other health professional, via the council etc etc, and a voucher will then be issued. This will cover a home based demonstration of a tablet or laptop computer, together with a brief sample lesson. The advantage of a tablet is the touch screen. Those with arthritis do not need to worry about pressing keys on a keyboard. All operations are controlled by a simple light touch on the screen.
The equipment can be left for a few days with the individual for a bit more experimentation and after that further vouchers can be applied for. These will allow the holder to exchange them for a couple of full training sessions. More lessons can be arranged if necessary. Initially these sessions will enable the user to send and receive email, which can also increase their social interaction, use the internet to access the benefit system and community resources, online grocery shopping, look at photos of their relatives etc. Further communication programmes like Skype can be introduced as soon as the client is interested.
The equipment can be left for a few days with the individual for a bit more experimentation and after that further vouchers can be applied for. These will allow the holder to exchange them for a couple of full training sessions. More lessons can be arranged if necessary. Initially these sessions will enable the user to send and receive email, which can also increase their social interaction, use the internet to access the benefit system and community resources, online grocery shopping, look at photos of their relatives etc. Further communication programmes like Skype can be introduced as soon as the client is interested.