As a marine engineer, Andrew Tarbard traveled around the world repairing ships. Then a motorcycle accident left him seriously disabled. In piecing his life back together, Tarbard turned to AbilityNet, one of Britain s leading disability support organizations created to help the disabled gain IT skills and enter the workforce. I was struggling and could achieve very little. Now with the right equipment, I can do everything required of me, whether preparing accounts, writing letters or drawing up technical specifications.
Technology helps to bridge the digital divide.
Andrew Tarbard s courage is admirable, but his story is all too common. People who are disabled tend to be unemployed. Fortunately, the situation is changing. Another example in Britain is the Workability Program at The Leonard Cheshire Foundation. Using e-mail and the Internet, these disabled students learn word processing, spreadsheet management and online communication.