Making a Real difference

Access to Real

•Gates Project•Access Glasgow•Partnership•Consultation/Ownership•Service Planning•Lessons learned

Strategic context

• People’s Network

• Real Partnership

• Access Glasgow

• GCC Key Objectives

Partnership Resources

• Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation

• Scottish Executive Public Libraries Excellence Funding-SLIC-Scottish Library and Information Council

• Glasgow City council match fund

• Real Partnership

Partnership and Consultation

• Consultation

• Voluntary Sector

• Internal GCC Partners

• SLIC

Joint Working in Project Delivery

• Project Management

• ICT Installation

• Marketing and Promotions

• Launch and Roadshows

• Staff Training

This initiative has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Scottish Executive Public Libraries Excellence Fund

What it delivers

• Assistive Technology

Tutorial Support

Library Locations

• North East Area– Barmulloch, Bridgeton,

Easterhouse, Milton, Parkhead, Possilpark, Riddrie, Sighthill, Shettleston and Springburn

• North West Area– Drumchapel, Whiteinch

• South Area– Castlemilk, Elder Park, Gorbals,

Ibrox, Real on the Road

Glasgow Libraries Open The Gates to Learning :

Eighteen Glasgow Library and Learning Centres have developed new services for customers who until now have had limited use of the facilities due to disabilities or other difficulties. This is the biggest initiative in improving accessibility in Glasgow Libraries in over a generation. ‘Learning Solutions’ is a new range of innovative assistive technology available within the Real Learning Centres.

A Scottish not-for-profit organisation which specialises in assistive technology training has been taking part in a major event to promote accessibility to ICT for disabled people.

Working in partnership with Glasgow City Council, Momentum staff have been running workshops in libraries across the city to illustrate the use of assistive technology to disabled people who may not be aware of its benefits.

Momentum Open The Gates to Learning :

Outcomes

• Partnership and outreach

• Capacity and skills

• Roadshows/Launch

• Short courses

• Roll out

The Partnership Gains

• Credibility and goodwill

• Specialist Advice

• Specialist Learning Delivery

• Staff Training Support

• Organisational Learning

Achievements

• Increased accessibility in 18 learning centres

• Assistive technology to support range of needs

• Promoted awareness of libraries amongst disabled community

• Developed staff skills and knowledge

• Delivered quality supported learning

Achievements – The Vital Statistics

• Roadshow Evaluation– Participant organisations 40

Total short courses / workshops 22

• Total Learners 160• Estimated use – stand-alone 300

Good practice?

• Planned approach

• Ownership

• Strengthened relationships

• Core service

• Sustainable

“Interesting launch and technology looks to be addressing areas of need.Glad to see Momentum involved in the initiative.”

Library User

“I think the Learning Solutions” at Glasgow libraries is of immense importance to the disabled community. Zoomtext, large keyboard are ideal for the visually impaired.”

Library User

Delivery of Tutorial Support

“I liked using the Internet to find out about things like holidays, football, the pictures. I didn’t know how to use the Internet before.

It was good to be shown what to do and people take time with you.

I enjoyed it and will probably come back to the library.”

Library User

“It was good to use the e-mail and learn things I didn’t know before, like how Riddrie used to look. I will come back into the library and use the computers”

Library User

The Future

• Lessons Learned• Staff training and support

materials• Establish Focus Group• Explore potential work on

Learning Disabilities• Roll-Out programme of

specialised courses• Develop capacity-building• Service issues – accessibility

and sustainability