WEBLINKS
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 |  | Looking at this website, it's easy to take for granted the world of information there is out there just a click of a mouse button away. We can see video files and hear music and sound files, read about our interests, look at pictures of our favourite actors and filmstars - but what if all that disappeared?
For some, the world of the Internet, computers and technology was a completely closed chapter because of sight and hearing problems. However, things are about to change for people in Coventry and Warwickshire with the opening of a new online centre in the city.
The charity for deaf and blind people, Sense, with the help of the Government and the National Lottery, has adapted its resource centre in Earlsdon, into a state-of-the-art IT centre, which opens up technology for the deaf, blind and deaf-blind.
ΜύEquipment specifically adapted
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The ICT equipment for the centre has been specifically selected and adapted to meet the needs of people with sight and hearing difficulties and those with physical and learning difficulties.
Computers with large screens and speech software packages enable access by visually impaired people, whilst other adaptations such as bass speakers, a large ball mouse and adapted keyboards help people with a range of other disabilities.
"This is not standard equipment or software - not something you could order when you buy a computer, so it's expensive and difficult to access at home," said Baljit Nagra, ICT project officer and trainer at the centre.
ΜύNovel dream comes true
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The main ethos of the centre, however, is being able to tailor what's on offer to the needs of the user. George has been using the new centre for around a month as he begins his dream of writing a novel and he is delighted with the new world that's opened around him.
George is blind and is familiar with Braille, so when he started at the centre the instructors got him off to a flying start by adapting a keyboard with Braille lettering over each of the keys.
He's now learning to touch-type and when he's completely at ease with that, he'll be able to use any keyboard. With the aid of text recognition software which tells George what he is writing, he will soon be able to crack on with his novel on his own.
"This is of great benefit to me," he said. "I have always wanted to write a novel but haven't had the technology available to let me do it.
"The centre, and what I am learning - like the touch-typing - gives me the independence to think about what I am writing," he said.
ΜύIndependence is the motivation
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Baljit agreed that independence was the centre's main motivation - opening a new world to people blocked off from normal communication.
"We're not just about lessons and training, we can give people access to a world of communication they were shut off from before," she said.
For example, she spoke of a blind centre user who can't read bills or letters, so uses special software to scan in her post and have it read to her. There's another user who is nervous about travelling alone outside because of her sight problems, so uses the Internet facilities to order her shopping online.
"Our aim is to let people use the centre when they want for what they want, whether they're at college and need additional IT facilities, or just want to send a quick email.
"This is not a college or school environment, people can work at their own pace about what they need to know".
Anyone can use the facilities at the centre and help is available filling in referral forms. For more information, call the centre on 024 7671 7522.
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