Empowering people with disabilities through digital skills is possible and we, at the ST Foundation, believe in the power of a strong network of dedicated professionals and organizations to make it happen.
It is with this goal in mind that we recently signed an agreement with the AFPP Atelier des Projets in Tours, an organization supporting professional growth in France.
Vincent Cucchiaro, a facilitator at AFPP, reached out to ESAT Anaïs, a French organization that supports people with disabilities by providing medical, social, and educational assistance in a protected work environment, in order to organize a session of our Introduction to Computer Basics (ICB) course for eight trainees.
Vincent, can you tell us more about this experience?
This session, held from September 23 to October 7, was attended exclusively by eight members of ESAT Anaïs who needed computer skills training. The ICB training course is designed for individuals with little or no prior experience with computers. My goal was to put them in front of a computer and demystify their fears about the digital world. I often tell them, “People may think that a computer or a mobile phone is a hundred times more intelligent than a human being, but all it does is carry out our instructions.” This perspective helps to alleviate their apprehensions and build their confidence.
An anecdote you wish to share with us?
One of the trainees, Pascal Rodrigues, who is nearing the end of his career at the ESAT and is a candidate for the presidency of the Anaïs Foundation, shared his experience. Pascal needed to become comfortable with writing emails and using Excel. Throughout the training, he learned a lot, especially about using passwords. He found the course very beneficial and wished it could have gone on even longer!
Digital technology is becoming increasingly important and is now a major tool in many professions. That’s why it is crucial to train as many people as possible. This short 20-hour course covers the basics of Windows, Internet, Word, and Excel. It is the first step towards more advanced training. I believe in starting small to avoid overwhelming those who are most skittish and timid.
Vincent, what do you see in the near future?
At the end of the training, I was delighted to hand out diplomas to all the Anaïs members present. This experience has been empowering for all of us and I look forward to continuing this journey with more participants in the future. Empowering people with disabilities through digital literacy is not just about teaching them how to use a computer; it’s about opening doors to new opportunities and helping them realize their potential.
AFPP
As a training organization, we are very enthusiastic about the idea of supporting your professional project. That is why, for over 30 years, our team of trainers and advisors has been using its skills to assist individuals, job seekers, and employees in developing a project and finding suitable training. By offering short courses, refresher programs, or qualifying cycles, we contribute to enhancing the necessary and sought-after skill levels for each of our trainees. Whether on-site in person, remotely, or in a virtual classroom, the pedagogy of our training programs incorporates digital tools alongside more traditional approaches to make learning even more interactive and effective.
More at https://afpptours.com/
ESAT Anaïs
The mission of ANAIS is to promote the personal development, intellectual and physical well-being, social and professional integration of individuals living with a disability or dependency (children, adults, and the elderly) and to support them throughout their lives. More at https://www.fondation-anais.org/etablissement/esat-anais-de-tours-site-de-joue-les-tours/