HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc25-6W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to draw upon the experience of internet companies in providing disabled people with(a) access to and (b) training in, new technologies. [120197]

Ms Hewitt

As a response to the Social Exclusion Unit's 1998 report, the Prime Minister set up a series of high level action teams to devise a new national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Policy Action Team 15 (PAT15), which was led by DTI, looked at how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help.

PAT15's main task was to improve the access to and uptake of ICTs by the most disadvantaged in society. It carried out an in-depth study of projects already operating in poor neighbourhoods to identify best practice which may be replicable elsewhere. It also commissioned papers to examine how issues associated with disability can be addressed. The consultation process included input from the private sector, particularly through representatives from ICT companies working as PAT members.

Their report indicates that public access facilities, the training provided and the content used should take into account the needs of different audiences, including people with disabilities. The recommendations from the report are being taken forward by the DfEE. The final report is available on the PAT15 website (www.PAT15.org.uk).

Much work, however, is already under way. £252 million of Capital Modernisation Funding (CMF) has been promised to set up around 700 ICT learning centres within the 2000 most deprived council wards and other areas with special needs, such as isolated rural areas. These centres will be set up from September 2000, to provide hands on learning for people for example with disabilities or from ethnic backgrounds with little or no ICT skills or access to ICT. They will provide a local place for local people and will give people the opportunity to gain ICT skills.

The development of this initiative has included input from the private sector through externally commissioned work or through representatives of ICT companies sitting on the project's management board.

More details about the initiative can be found on the ICT Learning Centres website on www.dfee.gov.uk/ict-learning-centres.