Momentum Skills Opens New Assistive Technology Facility
Momentum Skills’ new Computer-aided vocational Training, Education and Communication (or CTEC) centre in the East End of Glasgow was today officially opened by Glasgow Central MP Anas Sarwar on Friday September 2, 2011. The facility, which will assist disabled people across the city to access computers, was funded by the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, making it the 100th Karten CTEC centre to be established.
Located on Templeton Street in Bridgeton, the CTEC centre will provide support to individuals in developing skills that will improve their quality of life and enable them to undertake further education or training, or gain employment.
As well as offering training and support in using standard computer applications and the internet, the centre has a range of assistive technologies to support individuals in using the equipment. Family members and personal assistants will also be offered training, allowing them to provide additional support to clients while, thanks to a suite of portable equipment, an outreach service will also be provided to people unable to access the centre.
Dougie Taylor, Momentum Skills’ Head of Operations said, “We are delighted to host this new facility at Momentum Skills in Bridgeton and to become the 100th Karten CTEC Centre. The centre will provide assessments to identify the assistive technology solutions that best fit individuals’ needs, as well as training on how to use the various technologies. Some of the specialist technologies at the centre include advanced speech recognition software, screen reading programmes and a large range of ergonomically-designed furniture and devices such as computer mice and keyboards. The access to technology provided by the centre will undoubtedly transform lives of people with disabilities across Glasgow.”
Ceri Hibert, Network Development Manager for the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, said, “It was always Ian Karten’s vision to have 100 CTEC centres for disabled people funded through the Trust. The network of centres is a wonderful legacy to Ian, and one which continues to have an impact. Thousands of people have benefited from the use of technology to improve the quality of their lives and enhance access to employment and training. We are delighted to be associated with Momentum Skills in the setting up of this 100th CTEC Centre, and look forward to them being active members of the Network.”
Anas Sarwar MP said, “The launch of Momentum Skills’ new CTEC centre is fantastic news for people with disabilities in the East End of Glasgow. Building on the excellent work already being done by the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, it is a pleasure to have the 100th centre like this right here in the heart of Glasgow. I hope that this centre will be able to provide people with disabilities with valuable computer skills for many years to come.