ADAPT-IT NEWS

Enabling disabled people to access IT

March 2004

 

Welcome to the first issue of 'Adapt-IT News'. Each issue, we will be highlighting particular items of interest to professionals and individuals interested in ensuring that disabled people are equipped with the right IT tools to enable them to do their job on a par with their non-disabled colleagues. We recognise that the people receiving this email are busy people so it is our intention to keep this newsletter as succinct as possible.

We would appreciate any feedback about layout etc., or suggestions for future articles. To contact the editor, or to request a copy for a colleague or friend please use news@adapt-it.org.uk

 

CONTENTS

1. The Disability Discrimination Act [DDA]

2. Adapt-IT's new website

3. Tips for improving accessibility

4. Useful links

5. Administrivia

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1. THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995 [DDA]

The DDA became law in 1995.  From October 2004, however, employers become responsible for its implementation within their organisations and can face legal action by failing to do this.  In a nutshell, the DDA prevents any employer with 15 or more employees from discriminating against any disabled person either in the hiring and subsequent employment of that person, or, as is very common, where an employee becomes disabled whilst employed by that company. 

(The Disability Rights Commission website (www.drc-gb.org.uk) is particularly useful in checking to see if your company complies with the many different aspects of the DDA.)

At Adapt-IT, our focus is on supplying a broad range of Assistive Technology products, both hardware and software to help people with a wide range of disabilities including mobility problems, visual impairment, dyslexia or learning difficulties. Providing disabled employees with such technology will enable companies to comply with certain aspects of the DDA. For employees on the Access to Work scheme, grants of up to 80% are available and for individuals with a disability or Charities, VAT is often not chargeable.

In future issues, we shall be looking into how Adapt-IT can assist companies comply with the differing aspects of the DDA regarding the employment of disabled people.

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2. NEW WEBSITE FOR ADAPT-IT

Adapt-IT has a completely new website - www.adapt-it.org.uk. In it, you can choose from over 300 computer products to find all the products that will enable your company to be fully compliant with the DDA within the area of IT.

In accordance with the DDA which requires that company operated web sites must be fully accessible, our site carries the four authorising certificates - W3C CSS and HTML, WebExact, and AAA Bobby. (More on these next time.)

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3. TIPS FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY

Each issue, we will give you a tip for improving accessibility when using Windows. There are many tips just as there are many different types of disability so each issue we will concentrate on just one.

Tip:

If double clicking is a problem or a strain on weak wrists, you can change your Windows settings to highlight items just by pointing and replace the DOUBLE-CLICK with a SINGLE-CLICK

Here’s how:

1) For Windows XP/XP Home Users

  1. Open the My Computer window
  2. From the Tools menu select Folder Options
  3. On the General tab, locate ‘Click items as follows’ and choose ‘Single click to open an item (point to select)’
    After making this change, you will find that items highlight when you point at them (no need to click) and you only have to click once to open a folder or document.

OR

2) For Windows 98 Users

  1. Open the My Computer or Windows Explorer window
  2. From the Tools menu select Folder Options
  3. On the General tab, click on the Settings button
  4. Select ‘Single click to open an item (point to select)’
    After making this change, you will find that items highlight when you point at them (no need to click) and you only have to click once to open a folder or document.

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4. USEFUL LINKS

There are many useful links depending on the type of disability. In this issue we shall concentrate on websites with information on the DDA and computers

www.disability.gov.uk/dda/

This is a government site written in plain English.  Contains plenty of information on the DDA and other legal aspects of disability. (Very good)

 

www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/1995050.htm

If you wish to see what the actual DDA says, it’s right here

 

http://www.dynopower.freeserve.co.uk/homepages/dda.htm

Gives a clear summary of what the DDA is all about. (Recommended)

 

http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/content/factsheets/pdfs/Disability%20Discrimination%20Act%20and%20AbilityNet.pdf

Outlines the implications for employers of the DDA. (Well worth looking at)

 

http://freespace.virgin.net/steven.jacklin/ddacont.html

Contains a critical analysis of the DDA.

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5. ADMINISTRIVIA

To contact us: info@adapt-it.org.uk

To subscribe:  join@adapt-it.org.uk

To unsubscribe:unsubscribe@adapt-it.org.uk

 

Adapt-IT
Trafalgar House, Grenville Place. Mill Hill, London NW7 3SA.
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 644 1712 Fax: 020 8959 0844