College wins access award (From Dudley News)

College wins access award

11:30am Wednesday 25th November 2009

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STAFF and students at Dudley College are celebrating after gaining a national accessibility award for its commitment to improving IT training for disabled students.

The college was presented with the British Computing Society Accessibility Quality award at a glittering ceremony in London.

Thirteen IT learning centres from across the UK were shortlisted for the award in helping learners with a range of disabilities achieve qualifications run by BCS.

The judging panel were particularly impressed with the college’s overall approach towards inclusion and accessibility in supporting students with a range of learning materials in alternative formats – as it not only provides materials in large print, Braille, audio and British Sign Language but also allows access students to specialist computer hardware and software.

And as well as the college scooping an award, staff were delighted to hear four of their disabled students had also won awards for their achievements in computing and IT.

The four students – Tony Averis, Anthony Orlebar, Marie-Elaina Morris and Jaskaran Shorcara – have all overcome their disabilities to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

Judges particularly singled out Tony Averis, who despite being registered blind has become one of the first students in the country to achieve the ECDL Advance Spreadsheet qualification, one of the BSC highest level qualifications.

Principal Lowell Williams said: “This is an absolutely fantastic result for each of the award winners and we are delighted their individual determination and commitment has been recognised at such a high-profile event.

“We are also thrilled in gaining the BCS Accessibility Quality Award. This is a terrific endorsement of the college’s approach towards inclusion and community engagement.

“We have put a considerable amount of effort in ensuring that our students, regardless of disability or learning needs, are well supported and this award recognises that commitment.”

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