The 'Play at IT' project, run by the computing and disability charityAbilityNet and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, aims to give disabledchildren an early introduction to some of the adaptive equipment theymay have to rely upon in later life, and the opportunity to be involvedin inclusive play activities.
Each setting chosen for the 250,000 scheme will receive acomputer system with specialised equipment for disabled children and arange of games and educational software. To be eligible, a setting mustalready have disabled children attending and must commit to taking partin the scheme until it ends in March 2010. Settings must nominate amember of staff who will act as a point of contact for AbilityNet andwho will directly support children with disabilities.
AbilityNet will also provide local authority representatives who areselected for the scheme with a 'loan bank' of equipment, free trainingand remote assessment support.
Project manager Tracey Shawcross said, 'We are particularly looking forapplications from the London area, including those based in affluentareas but where there are pockets of deprivation. At nursery, childreninformally learn the basics of reading and writing before theyexperience any formal classroom schooling. Disabled children areimmediately at a disadvantage.'
Further information www.abilitynet.org.uk.
