Do you struggle with reading the screen sometimes or wish you knew more about keystrokes to reduce the strain on your wrists? Do you know about the wonderful portable applications that can help you in various ways especially if you struggle with reading, writing and spelling?

Whether you have a disability (such as hearing or visual impairment, motor difficulties or literacy problems) or would just prefer to adjust your computer and peripherals to make for a better experience, then this ITQ is for you. This is also for you if you are responsible for other IT users in the workplace. The Equality Duty Act 2010 requires you to know how to help IT users.

DawsonLoane has assisted JISC TechDis in mapping their highly respected resources to ITQ Units and brought Units together to form ITQ for Accessible IT Practice. Accredited by City & Guilds this qualification offers you a chance to show how your skills, expertise and understanding can be recognised, whatever your role. ITQ for Accessible IT Practice has a Core set of Units plus a choice of Optional Units – the number of which to be taken depends on the Level you study at.

We like to deliver this in an holistic way using our DawsonLoane Workbook which shows 15 tasks to undertake to achieve ITQ for Accessible IT Practice. Why not peek inside one of the workbooks which looks at the Core Units and Word Processing, Internet and Using Audio and the 3 Optional Units (see below for the details)

 

Core Unit

User Fundamentals

The User Fundamental topic looks at the use of the portable applications and how to effectively use all the accessibility options within a Windows or Mac environment. In addition, this incorporates adjusting a browser and general understanding about maintenance and system protection.

Text To Speech

There is a great value in being able to take a document and translate it into an .mp3 file. The Text-to-Speech software topic is all about different ways to listen to written materials and how this can support so many computer users.

Improving Productivity using IT

This is the Mandatory topic and looks for reflection on all stages of use from planning to use a piece of software for an intended purpose and for specific target audience, to implementing its use then reviewing to identify whether it has been successful and how it has made you or others more productive or efficient.

Optional Units (choose 2 at Level 2 and 3 at Level 3)

Word processing

Working with documents to make them as accessible as possible. Looking at the use of images and objects, styles, background colours, formatting and interactive elements.

Xerte Software

Xerte software shows you how to make impressive and accessible e-learning materials.

Using Audio

This topic is ideal if you produce sound files or podcasts and can include the development of videos.

Presentations Software

Presentations Software has similar criteria to Word processing such as entering data ie text and images, displaying, formatting and editing but it also looks for how presentations can be used effectively and offer support the audience.

Website Software

If you’re developing resources and materials for an online training area or creating a website or blog then this topic is ideal for you. The criteria looks at good practice associated with the creation of online areas so that they are accessible as possible.

Spreadsheet Software

A spreadsheet can be more than an accounting tool. With MS Excel you can create e-learning activities using drop down boxes or sliders within a spreadsheet.

Using the Internet

This topic is an ideal choice if you are a librarian or in a role that requires the searching of content. For example, you may look for e-books and download for a particular learner or find interactive online activities to support literacy and numeracy. This topic asks for more than the use of Google. It looks for sound skill in filtering and going beyond the existing portals and repositories.