Making Learning Accessible

The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) is committed to ensuring that all of their members and Fire and Rescue staff have equality of access to education and lifelong learning. The FBU learning centre in Northumberland is a U-Net learning centre, offering learndirect programmes to FBU members, Fire & Rescue Service staff and their family members.

Steve Smith, an Arson Taskforce employee and member of the FBU, had a fear of computers, and completing his flexi timesheets filled him with dread. Steve was diagnosed at birth with Congenital Nystagmus, a visual impairment causing uncontrolled movement of the eyes.

Although Steve wears glasses for reading, which helps him to focus, he struggles to see letters on a key board, and has difficulties deciphering words on a screen. This made it virtually impossible for Steve to use a computer.

Naturally, this knocked Steve’s confidence, and he regularly avoided using computers. This was beginning to become a burden, especially as Steve was falling behind with the recoding of his flexi timesheets. Eventually, Steve confided in his manager, who was extremely supportive and suggested he speak to the staff at the U-Net learning centre. Steve soon realised he wasn’t alone and that help was at hand. Steve said “Using a computer was my biggest fear, but once I’d discussed this with the learning centre and I realised they understood my condition, I had the confidence to start learning”.

With the support of the Skills for Life Tutor, adjustments were made to the setting on the computer, and an accessible keyboard was provided. With these modifications in place and the backing of the learning centre staff, Steve was able to persevere and overcome his fears.

After completing a Learndirect Switch On course, his new found computer skills were the platform to progress and achieve the Numeracy Level 1 and Literacy Level 1 qualifications.

Steve has no problems completing his flexi sheets now, and he is confident exploring the internet using sites like eBay. Steve is brushing up for his next test, which forma part of the IT Level 2 qualification.

Steve said “If it wasn’t for the help and support of the learning centre, I still wouldn’t know anything about computers. I never thought I could achieve this, it’s fantastic!”