Alpha trainers Kamran Mallick and Ben Mears have been working with the BBC to develop and run an innovative course for Technology Helpdesk and Support staff.

The programme aims to help participants provide appropriate support for disabled BBC staff. Both Ben and Kamran have personal experience of disability. This along with their extensive training skills made them the ideal choice when the BBC asked Alpha to help develop the programme. "I believe this to be one of the few courses of this type in existence" comments Anne Harkness of Alpha. "It was very important to us to pick the right trainers and Kamran and Ben have done a fantastic job. We have had very positive feedback".

"The BBC is committed to ensuring its IT infrastructure is accessible to disabled users" comments Rob Smith, Learning Executive, BBC Training & Development "The Disability and Assistive Technology training programme was an important part of ensuring we are able to fulfil that commitment".

The course covers a number of issues such as disability language and etiquette and the business case for diversity at work. Its main emphasis is on supporting disabled customers and introduces participants to a range of assistive technology products, including dyslexia tools, alternative keyboards, mice and voice recognition.

Rob Smith says: "Our support staff needed to be aware of the issues and factors that disable some users of IT hardware and software, along with the solutions and technology options available to resolve these. It was equally important for them to understand the language and responsibilities of the social model of disability, and the commitments of the BBC".

The programme has now been running for almost a year and comments from participants include: "very informative enlightening and enjoyable" and "very interesting, and stimulating - raised personal awareness too". This positive feedback is reflected by Rob Smith who says: "I asked Alpha to help us to develop an appropriate, relevant and interesting programme to empower our staff. Ben and Kamran were able to work closely with the BBC trainers to develop and deliver a programme which was universally well received and continues to make an impact on ensuring accessibility for all".

If you have staff who you feel would benefit from this kind of training and would like to discuss your needs in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.

View sample course outlines for Disability and Assistive Technology, Disability Awareness and Diversity Awareness .

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