13th September 1999

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The University of Ulster has launched a new two-year programme, using the latest techniques in voice technology, to help people with disabilities use computers.

The new programme, which will be based on the Jordanstown campus, will aim to improve employment prospects for the province's disabled. It will focus in the first instance on those people who need to use computers but cannot use their hands to do so fully.

Professor Mike McTear says the project, which will be known as SCRIBE, will use the latest developments in voice technology:

"Our main aim for this group of people is to give them specific training to enhance their employability. With the major increase in posts in Information Technology in Northern Ireland, the project will help their job prospects in computing, where voice technology can be effectively employed.

"The programme will also be suited for disabled people who may already be in employment but who would like to use the latest advances in voice technology to develop their use of computers," he explained.

The scheme, which will involve a series of two-day courses, will be open to individuals referred by Disability Action in Belfast.

"Applicants should be able to have minimal use of a computer, should be able to speak in a consistent manner, be potentially employable and have enough mobility to attend the course," said Professor McTear.

The scheme will also be available to university students with disabilities.
"Students who have a disability are eligible for a Government grant to buy a computer and to receive support, such as typing or sign language interpreting. Despite this, a number of them currently fail to complete their course or achieve the sorts of marks they should be getting.

"Relevant training in voice technology, along with proper support facilities, would give the students greater independence and allow them to make more effective use of the equipment they have," he said.

It is thought that around 37,000 adult people in Northern Ireland are now living with disabilities acquired during The Troubles.

According to the latest figures, there are more than 200,000 disabled adults in Northern Ireland -more than 17% of the adult population. That figure is 3% higher than the rate of adult disability in Great Britain and it is thought that the difference represents the number of people who acquired disabilities as a result of conflict in Northern Ireland.

The project is funded by PROTEUS under the European Union's Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk