The Sure Community Foundation has pledged £15,000 over the next two years to develop a new IT and Enabling Technology Suite for the Ron Short Centre.
The Ron Short Centre helps people of all ages who have physical or sensory disabilities, and its users will use the Suite to create products for sale in their shop.
The donation will help purchase technologies for the Suite including radio production and podcasting equipment for visually impaired people, the use of computer-controlled cutting machines for the creation of craft products, and a whole range of software and hardware innovations specifically designed or adapted for people with disabilities.
The Suite is designed to provide the highest levels of accessibility, ensuring all individuals are able to use the facility.
Upgrades are being carried out in the centre to bring it up to modern standards with special continuous flooring (for wheelchair users), non-slip surfaces, and appropriately designed spaces for turning circles. Contrasting surfaces will help people with visual impairments and specialist work benches with adjustable heights for different types of wheelchairs and ergonomically designed stands will allow easy use of the equipment. Booths will be provided to isolate individuals from sensory distractions, which is particularly important for people with cognitive problems including autism.
The Sure Community Foundation has supported the Ron Short Centre with various initiatives in the past including wheelchair donations, purchasing radio equipment, donating over £2,000 following Sure staff voting for the Ron Short Centre as their nominated charity for a period of 6 months, and donating a proportion of profits from the Sure Community Foundation Quiz.
Recently the Sure Community Foundation has supported the charity by volunteering staff to tidy up the outside of their building which will be the entrance to the new Suite.
Ron Short Centre Managing Director Rob Harnish said: “We are extremely grateful to the Sure Community Foundation for their donation, their support has allowed us to start the development of the Suite which will provide a vital inclusive space providing new opportunities for people with disabilities on our island.”
Chair of the Sure Community Foundation Lucienne De La Mare said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Ron Short Centre with this amazing initiative. The charity is close to the hearts of many Sure employees and working together on this major project will enhance their service and help them to work with even more islanders.”
