Access to Technology and Skills for all

Supporting Digital Inclusion

In the UK today thousands of people are still without access to the technology and training they need to realise their full potential. At Microsoft we are committed to helping everybody, regardless of race, background, age and gender to have the opportunities to enable them to achieve their life ambitions.

Partnering with governments, communities and charities throughout Britain, together we are working to bring about the day when everyone has the access to IT and skills they need.

Delivering Life Long Learning

From enabling children to have the best start in life to giving adults greater learning opportunities, Microsoft is committed to a long-term partnership with the education sector. We work closely with government, schools, colleges and universities to develop the tools and resources people need to work and learn effectively - so they can succeed in their life ambitions whilst helping the UK economy to thrive.

What we are doing today to support inclusion and skills development…

Inclusion

The Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) is a global initiative that focuses on improving lifelong learning for disadvantaged young people and adults by providing technology skills through community technology and learning centres. In the UK we partner with Age Concern, Fairbridge, Leonard Cheshire, Citizen’s Online, NCH and RNIB to bring greater access to technology for all.

Age Concern: Microsoft helps older people realise the benefits of IT through its Mobile Internet Taster Sessions (MITS) programme which provides an introduction to basic PC skills, using email and exploring the internet for older people. In addition, Microsoft supports the annual Silver Surfers Festival to encourage first time users to get online and use a PC.

Citizen’s online: Citizens Online and Microsoft have teamed up to produce The Microsoft Community Learning Awards. This programme is a grant giving initiative, which supports small community groups and charities in gaining the access to technology they wouldn’t ordinarily have.

Leonard Cheshire: Microsoft supports a national skills project called Workability which equips thousands of disabled people who are out of work and actively seeking employment with the skills to search for jobs, by providing free internet-linked computer equipment and training. Since 2004, Microsoft has also developed 5 ‘Discover IT’ centres at Leonard Cheshire centres throughout the UK.

Fairbridge: Fairbridge is a national charity supporting 13-25 year olds who are not in education, training or employment. Fairbridge and Microsoft have embarked on a partnership to help encourage excluded children, through IT, seek further education or employment by equipping them with both the skills, and the desire, to improve their lives

RNIB: Microsoft will be working in partnership with RNIB to increase access to books online for partially sighted and blind people in 2005/6. Currently only 5% of all books are available to blind people

For more information visit: www.microsoft.com/uk/community

Developing Skills

Innovative Teachers – Innovative Teachers Programme supports IT innovation and best practice in UK schools. The programme helps teachers use technology in schools and aims to create a community of teachers who will learn from and inspire each other. The programme provides training on and access to e-resources that integrate ICT into the learning process.

Partners In Learning – Microsoft is working with partners who are leading experts in teacher development and curriculum design. The partnerships will develop initiatives designed to bring affordable access to technology and to offer a package of skills training and Continuing Professional Development.

Imagine Cup - The Imagine Cup is a competition which enables students worldwide to build and showcase applications that demonstrate creativity, innovation and real-world applicability.

IT Academies - In 2002 Microsoft set up a national network of over 500 Microsoft IT Academies, supports education institutions in delivering IT training. It provides them with faculty training, Microsoft software licences and discounts on courseware and certification exams. Students gain early access to the latest technologies and hands-on experience, which enhances their career opportunities