 There are many people on incapacity benefits who would like
to return to some form of employment but feel they do not have
the basic skills required to deal with the modern workplace. In
addition, social isolation and exclusion is an ever-increasing
problem within local communities not only in Edinburgh but also
across the UK in general.
The aim of UC-Edinburgh is to provide a system that will
enable disabled people to acquire computing skills and the
experience of how to put those skills in to action – Whilst
working within their own communities to produce an online
platform dealing with local issues and aiming to combat social
exclusion at a grass-roots level.
 The concept of UC-Edinburgh is based upon my own
experiences both as a community worker of 20 years standing and
as someone living on long-term incapacity benefits. The creative
elements of the proposal have been developed from the skills and
experience I have gained hosting the Edinburgh Internet Festival
combined with my volunteer work across a number of web based
community projects. When combined I believe my experience
provides me with a unique insight and perspective which I have
channelled into the creation of this proposal.The foundation of the proposal is my passionate
belief that digital and web technology offers exciting new
possibilities for combating fundamental issues within local
communities such as social exclusion and unemployment.
I also
strongly believe that disabled people need to be included - and
encouraged - to participate in the creation, implementation and
development of initiatives aimed at providing opportunities to
escape from benefits and re-enter employment.
...With regards to this I present the
UC-Edinburgh proposal for your consideration and appraisal.
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