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What we do
Most disabled people become disabled when they’re at work. AbilityNet aims to ensure that health problems or disabilities can be overcome so as many as possible stay in work. And, as prevention is better than cure, we also work to reduce the health risks associated with IT use that can become disabilities if ignored.
If you ask a room full of people who use computers for work if they’ve ever experienced any form of discomfort associated with using IT, some 80% say they have.
With 20 years experience helping people use their technology effectively, we still find this a staggering statistic. Clearly the majority, not the minority, of us require some help and guidance to make our workstations more suitable for our individual needs.
Major research (Forrester 2003) confirmed this. Most people work more productively and with less stress with simple changes to their workstations.
"Life doesn't have to end after paralysis – computer technology allows me to deliver in the same way as my colleagues and compete in the employment market as an equal."
Today, over 90% of new jobs need some IT skills – whether a hand held computer in a garden centre, or a laptop for home workers. So it makes sense for every employer to adjust and adapt their IT for everyone to use comfortably, whether you’re a multi-national or self-employed. Preventing health problems that create disabilities is extremely important.
AbilityNet provides a wide and flexible range of services, all informed by our practical experience over many years. These include technical assessments for individual clients as well as advice, courses for health and safety, personnel and occupational health professionals, products and consultancy.
This work all helps to reduce the health and safety risks associated with workstation use and ensures employers don’t fall foul of current disability legislation. For some downloading our factsheets, or doing an online course is sufficient. For others an individual assessment is required
- AbilityNet is an accredited Access to Work supplier for technical assessments
- Recent clients include The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UnumProvident, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Barclays, BT, GCHQ, (more)
- We have provided professional training to IOSH, College of Occupational Therapists (more)
Services for individuals
Early intervention through an individual assessment is the best policy and a personal assessment is the best way to identify your needs and ensure you find a comfortable solution for your computer use.
Help yourself and become more productive with our online course
Office Sense for WindowsXP has been developed with Happy Computers, one of the UK’s leading eLearning providers. Bite sized sections encourage you to take a fresh look at seating, keyboard and mouse use and make practical changes for greater comfort and safety at a computer.