Bridging the digital divide wins XMA and Iansyst National Award

June 07, 2011

Nottingham-based IT specialist XMA has earned national recognition this week for its contribution to a scheme which helps children with profound disabilities and special needs have better access to technology and the internet.

The inaugural Technology4Good awards pay tribute to organisations and individuals who use digital technologies to make the world a better place.

ICT education specialists, XMA and assistive technology experts, iansyst scooped the ‘Working Together’ award for their collaboration on the government-back Home Access programme last year.  As part of the scheme, 9,000 children with learning difficulties and special needs were individually assessed.  Applicants which met the scheme’s criteria were then provided with a computer with internet connectivity and assistive technology, alongside an eLearning portal and training packages to make getting online as easy as possible.

Organisers attributed the award win to XMA and iansyst’s ability to deliver the complex programme within the timescales as well as the effective and efficient delivery of the bespoke computer packages.

Ash Merchant, Director of Government and Social Affairs at XMA said, “XMA is delighted to have won the Working Together award for our partnership on the Home Access scheme with iansyst. It was a huge challenge, but something we felt strongly about being a driving force behind. The project benefited from the in-house expertise at XMA, alongside our service capabilities coupled with iansyst’s product supply chain.

“The stories of children who are now benefiting from being connected to the online world are truly inspiring. For some of these youngsters, having access to the internet has transformed their whole outlook on life. For the team at XMA, that’s the real reward.”

Janine King, Managing Director of iansyst Ltd, explains what winning the award means to them, “We are delighted to have won the Working Together Award, which gives national recognition to the extensive work and collaboration that went into successfully delivering the Home Access scheme.  Our shared vision to make a difference allowed us to overcome challenges and to efficiently complete this complex contract within a very short timeframe.

“We are proud to have helped over 9000 children with learning difficulties or special needs get online, and it is testament to our partnership that the positive results achieved through the Home Access programme have been acknowledged.”

The awards ceremony took place on 7 June, hosted by Mariella Frostrup and attended by UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox.

Compere Mariella Frostrup congratulated the winners, saying:  “The success of the Technology4Good awards is testimony to the talent and altruism of the many people across the country who are applying technology to the greater good of others, particularly those who are digitally excluded or disadvantaged.”

The Working Together award was sponsored by Hi-Software in association with RaceOnline2012.
XMA is also a partner of the Race Online initiative, supplying low cost IT packages through its website www.getonline.xma.co.uk to help first time internet users who are economically and socially disadvantaged.