Posted 06.05.2021

Last September Disability Action announced our partnership with Leonard Cheshire to bring digital inclusion to service users in N.Ireland.

Seven months on our partnership is well established and through it we are providing IT equipment and training to participants on our programmes within the Employment and Training Unit. The hope is that the training and equipment will enhance employment skills and promote more social inclusion.

Richard Caven is one of our participants who is due to receive a tablet through this partnership:

I think getting an I-Pad from Leonard Cheshire is going to make things so much better for me. I plan to use it for social media and keeping in touch with family and friends. I feel this is a great opportunity to be offered this device and I want to say thank you so much to Leonard Cheshire.

Miriam Bacon, Disability Action’s Workable NI/Employment Support Scheme Manager, has been acting as point of contact with Debbie Hoy-Wilkinson from Leonard Cheshire and there is a positive working relationship with shared goals. Miriam said:

Disability Action’s ongoing partnership with Leonard Cheshire has developed through a shared goal of promoting social inclusion and enhancing employment skills for participants on our programmes.  It has been so positive to be involved in a piece of work that is linking individuals to IT training and equipment which will help to develop skills and stay connected.  This is particularly important given the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Debbie Hoy Wilkinson | Regional Digital Inclusion Coordinator at Leonard Cheshire said:

Technology can improve lives in so many ways, from keeping in touch with friends and family to gaining employment or completing a qualification/training. This partnership has supported, and will continue to support, as many clients as we can to achieve their goals using the equipment and training that we provide.

Through this partnership Disability Action and Leonard Cheshire are helping to address the huge and growing disparity which exists for disabled people in internet and technological connectivity.  

For more information contact Miriam Bacon, Workable NI/Employment Support Scheme Manager, T: 07951 601993, Email: [email protected]