Help Text

Click here to close this window.

Home Access Grant Administration Service

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DOTCOMUNITY WE’RE GIVING AWAY FREE HOME COMPUTERS WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES!

DO YOU QUALIFY?

The Home Access programme is designed to provide practical and financial support to low-income families with school-age children who may not be able to afford a computer or the internet. We have just launched Phase 2 of this Programme, which is aimed at those who have learning or physical disabilities and includes some fantastic assistive technology:

Leading disabled charities and their patrons today backed a call for the families of children with severe disabilities or special educational needs to apply immediately for a Home Access package with assistive technology before the Government's Home Access programme closes. Charities backing the call include AbilityNet, Whizz-Kidz and the National Autistic Society.

Since the programme launched in January, more than 430,000 application forms have been issued and over 200,000 low-income families provided with access to a computer and the internet at home. The success of the application process means that Home Access is set to achieve its goals early, and it is now only inviting applications for computer packages from children with severe disabilities or special educational needs until the end of the year.

Nigel Lewis, CEO, AbilityNet, remarked: "Home Access has already opened up the possibilities of the internet to thousands of children, I am pleased to back the call for the parents and carers to apply for the right equipment to allow severely disabled children to join them online."

Warwick Gooch, business services director at Capita, the service delivery operator for Home Access, commented: "We're delighted at the support we have received from charities such as AbilityNet in helping the programme achieve its goals early. We have already processed the applications of more than 200,000 families, and are keen for those with more severe disabilities to also have the chance to benefit from Home Access."

Home Access packages with Assistive Technology are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. It is anticipated that up to 12,000 children in total with more comprehensive needs, such as those with significant visual impairments, physical disabilities or learning difficulties, could eventually benefit from Home Access, through receiving specially tailored packages suited to their individual needs. These bespoke packages for children with severe disabilities or special educational needs will only be available until the end of the year.

This is designed for children with more profound needs and will be tailored to the learner’s specific individual requirements. A specialist evaluation officer will liaise with the family to identify the most suitable assistive technology hardware, and once agreed, the equipment will be delivered direct to the family’s door.

Contact:

Warwickshire

Tel: 0333 200 1004

Click here to visit their website.

Summary:
Providing various computer and technologies to assist children with various disabilities to use computers and the internet, including screen readers, adapted mice and keyboards, audio software, touch screens, etc. Each individual is assessed on their own specific needs.

Objectives:
To assist children with disabilities obtain access to computers.

Adult or Child Services: Both

Physical or Learning Disability Focus: Both

Additional:
Eligibility is as follows:


Section one: Are you a parent, guardian or foster carer responsible for and living with a child who:

- is in school years 3 to 9 (which normally means age 7–14)

- attends a state-maintained school in England full-time**

- has not already had a computer from a Home Access package or any other similar programmes, such as Computers for Pupils

- has a Statement of Special Educational Needs / or proof of receipt of Disability Living Allowance (or your school or local authority representative can certify the child has Assistive Technology needs as detailed in the introduction above)

Section two: Do you receive one of the following:

- Free School Meals for your child***

- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

- Income Support

- Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and an income of less than £16,190†

- Guaranteed Pension Credit (not Savings Credit)

- Income-based Employment Support Allowance

- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999


** or whose place is paid for by their local authority or the Department for Education (DfE). If you have
elected to school your child at home they are ineligible for a Home Access package. However, if your child is home
schooled as a result of ill health or an ongoing medical condition they may be eligible. State-maintained schools include:
primary schools, secondary schools, middle schools, special schools, academies, city technology colleges, pupil referral
units. State-maintained schools do not include: independent (private) schools and places at non-maintained special
schools not funded by a local authority.


*** Children receiving Free School Meals under the national rules may be eligible for a Home Access package; however,
children receiving free school meals as part of the pilots in Durham, Newham and Wolverhampton, or similar pilots across
England, will need to provide additional supporting documents.


† If you are not sure of your income, you should check your Tax Credit Award Notice

Home Access Grant Administration Service is listed in the following categories:
Computing | AT - IT |

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2011

You can let others know what you think about the service you have received from Home Access Grant Administration Service in our Members Area. CLICK HERE to post feedback now.