The Home Access Scheme and Assistive Technology

Home Access enables gives school children from low income families, access to a computer and internet at home, thereby bridging the ‘digital divide’ between the majorities majority of families who have home access to the internet for their education and those who still don’t.

iansyst was one of the two companies providing Assistive Technology for the 2009 pilot scheme for the £300m Government Home Access programme. The pilot scheme has finished and the project is now being rolled out nationally, reaching about 270,000 families by March 2011.

At BETT 2010, Ian Litterick Executive Chairman and Founder Member of iansyst, gave a presentation explaining what the scheme was about: ‘The Home Access Assistive Technology bundle: what does it mean for schools?’ The Government scheme will be available nationally, for about 270,000 families by March 2011. Families will beare provided withgiven a computer with 1 year internet access including parental controls, antivirus software, an Office productivity suite (such as Microsoft Office), and 1 year service and support.

Also included in the package as standard is a range of assistive Assistive Ttechnologiesy to meet a range of needs including dyslexia,, visual impairments and other learning difficulties, and visual impairments. The three software packages are Read and Write Home Access Edition for literacy support, Mindview a for concept mapping program and iZoom for magnification and speech. Other assistive technology will be available separately dependent on need.

At BETT 2010, Ian Litterick Executive Chairman and Founder of iansyst, gave a presentation on the Assistive Technology element of the scheme: ‘The Home Access Assistive Technology bundle: what does it mean for schools?’ For more in-depth information about the scheme and the assistive technologies that will be available you can read the Power Point presentation: The Home Access Assistive Technology Bundle. This may be the biggest procurement of Assistive Technology in the world so far.

If you would like to understand To learn more about this the Home Access scheme in general and whether you think you may be eligible you can visit the Home Access web site: http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/

If you feel you do not qualify for this Government grant, but are interested in assistive technology products to help you and your children then please feel free to browse the product range at www.dyslexic.com. We have specific information on:

• Texthelp Read and Write;
• Mind mapping or Concept Mapping Software
• Visual Impairment Support Software.

We also offer seminars for your school or Local Authority on the Assistive Technology bundle, or one to one or group training on elements of the bundle.