Easter IT Initiative
Finding IT projects for users with special needs has always proved to be a challenge, but library staff have embraced it as an opportunity to get creative and imaginative and to make sessions an informative but fun learning experience. We wanted a project that was IT based, but would help users develop simple skills such as searching an image base for relevant pictures or photographs, and printing out their selections. We also wanted the users to be able to select a piece of text, and look how it was possible to alter it in size and colour.


As it was coming up to Easter, we decided that an Easter theme would be appropriate, but we needed to find an interesting way to then display the images and the pieces of text that users had been able to select and print. A member of staff came up with the idea of making papier mache Easter eggs. This was achieved by the traditional method of inflating balloons and covering them in papier mache and, once dried, then deflating them. We found that kitchen roll dipped in a mixture of PVA glue and water hardened with a shell like effect. Users were then able to select their own individual styles of what they wanted to put on their egg. Some of the group wanted to create pictures using sites such as

http://www.manetas.com/pollock/

and use the colours and shapes to create a very individual egg. Others wanted to add some craft materials to turn their eggs into characters or objects. Some individuals used online colouring sites such as

http://www.free-coloring-pages.com/easter/index.html

to colour in and create their very own individual Easter themed pictures.

Users in each of the groups came up with their own creative interpretation of the theme, and used images, poetry and text, as well as sites that had Easter online colouring sheets, which were duly filled in and printed out. Using these functions helped group members with their motor and cognitive skills, as well as teaching them how to use the cut and paste functions, print command, resizing images and altering text.
The eggs completed over a number of weeks were then given another coat of PVA to harden them. They could then be attached to ribbons and hung as decorations at home, or filled with sweets and given as Easter presents.

All the groups enjoyed this creative initiative for using and learning IT skills and were pleased to have an attractive end product that they could take away with them that was as individual to them as it was unique.

IT Groups in Central Library

Since September 2009 we have been running It groups in the Connections Suite of the Central Library for groups with special or additional needs. At present we have seven groups who attend on a weekly basis. Most groups stay for a two hour session. For the first part of the session we tend to look at things that would interest the individual users, this could be music sites or family history for example, or in some cases playing simple graphics games to improve motor and cognitive skills,such as UK Learn after a short refreshment break we then work on an IT project. At the moment we are working on individual personal story books. Staff compiled a list of ideas that could feature in the book such as, favourite time of the year, future plans, descriptions of themselves etc. These pages are accompanied by photographs, or images, to illustrate the book. These images were chosen by the individual ,who also dictated as to what should be written and what would be included into the book. Some people, with mild learning problems, needed very little help, mostly just with spelling, and some computer applications, while others who had less communication skills, and more severe learning problems, were able to express what they wanted by using Makaton or simply pointing to the screen. Once the book is complete it is then given a cover and bound. The user is then able to take the book home with them as an example to show friends and family what they have been working on and then they have a very personal and unique book all about them and their likes and dislikes. These books can also be beneficial to carers and helpers in finding out more about the person they are supporting.