Adapted Computers for Disabled People

Pass IT On's core purpose is to adapt donated computers and give them at little or no cost to people with disabilities. The computers are fully refurbished and tested and are usually no more than 3 years old.

Eligibility Criteria:

Clients can be of any age but must:

1. live in the EH (Edinburgh and Lothians) postcode area
2. have a disability or health condition which makes it difficult for them to use publicly available computers (eg in their local library).

How it works:

1. Clients register with Pass IT On (they can be registered by someone else or register themselves). All we need is the client's address and phone number. [contact us to register a client]
2. We write to the client in order to:
   • confirm that we have received their registration
   • send them an Eligibility Form which needs to be completed by a health professional (eg their GP, CPN, speech therapist) who knows them well - we simply ask the health professional to confirm that the client's disability makes it difficult for them to use publicly available IT, we don't ask for any details about the person's disability
   • ask the client to fill in a Further Information Form telling us about any difficulties they might have using a computer (eg if they would find it hard to control a standard mouse) and about any previous computer experience they have
3. Once we have received the completed Eligibility Form, clients are placed on a waiting list and we work with them on a first-come first-served basis - unless they are terminally ill in which case they go to the top of the queue. At the moment we can usually start working with clients within about 6 weeks of receiving the completed Eligibility Form.
4. We visit the client in the place where they will use their computer to carry out an informal assessment - finding out what they want to use their computer for and what (if any) adaptations they will need. If a client can't afford to pay for any adaptations, they can apply to our Adaptation Fund for help.
5. We build the client's computer system - buying any required adaptations, installing relevant software and testing it for electrical safety.
6. We install the computer system for the client, setting up their internet connection if required and giving them a brief introduction into how to use the computer.
7. We offer clients a follow-up visit to iron out any teething problems.
8. We give all our clients the contact details for our partner organisations: U Can Do IT (low-cost private computer lessons) and IT Can Help (technical support).

NB Once we have installed the computer, it belongs to the client - they can do what they like with it and are responsible for all on-going costs.

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scottish charity number: SC033560
last updated: February 2013