EQUIP Q4 2013 by RBLI

No. 3 Q4 2013

EQUIP EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE

BEFROE AFTER ADAPTING THE WORKPLACE TO OVERCOME DYSLEXIA p.10-15

ALSO IN THIS EDITION OF EQUIP SIMON HAMILTON ACCESS ABILITY THE LATEST The importance of interior design for people with a disability working from home p.6-7

The website helping businesses recruit people with disabilities p.16

Businesses, technology and people changing the workplace for the better

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Assessment Delivery Team

EQUIP THE ALL NEW

Edited Produced Printed by

EDITORIAL

Edward Tidbury

Editor & RBLI Programme Manager

Dear Readers, I am writing to you again from another packed copy of RBLI’s Equip Magazine which holds contributions from our partners, suppliers and colleagues. This is the final edition of Equip for 2013, with a particular focus on the support of customers with dyslexia and learning difficulties. I have a very keen interest in dyslexia especially as someone who was himself diagnosed late in life. I’m always looking out for any new information, advice and guidance to support dyslexia and learning difficulties in the workplace as well as any new and innovative technology, and I’m pleased to note that you will find some fantastic information around products and services within this latest edition of RBLI Equip. As the trend for new employment and retention into work rises we have also focused on other areas of our delivery. I am absolutely thrilled at the quality and content of the contributions we have had from our suppliers of products and services; they have put forward some fantastic information. All of these contributors share one common goal - the support of customers needs to the highest standard possible, and I think the passion of delivering this comes out in their offerings. To close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those who read and contribute to a Equip Magazine every success in 2014. If you have a story, person or product that you would like to feature in the next edition of Equip, email: edward.tidbury@rbli.co.uk 2

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ASSESSMENT

DELIVERY

TEAM BY THE NUMBERS

highly skilled assessors working on RBLI assessment delivery

900

average number of phone calls made by RBLI coordinators in a month.

580

the number of assessments processed by RBLI in November

the number of exceptional partners that make up RBLI’s winning formula: 1. Asset 2. BDA 3. Action for Blind People 4. AbilityWise 5. Action Deafness

NEWS NEW STARTERS STUART BUCKMINSTER RBLI Holistic Assessor

First Job Apprentice Tool Maker Previous Positions Held Technical Product Sales, Servicing Spare Time Assistant Scout Leader Keen mountaineer

News

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DYSLEXIA FACT

1,329

In 2013, Hands Free have supported 1329 customers who have Neuro Diversity, including dyslexia, by providing a combination of Assistive Software, training and workplace coaching.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HANDS

FREE COMPUTING

EMMA KNIGHT

RBLI Holistic Assessor Emma is a qualified Osteopath and holistic assessor with more then 3 years assessment delivery experience under her belt. Both Emma and Stuart are fantastic additions to the team and will be permanent members of RBLI’s staff.

Instead of sending Christmas cards, Hands Free Computing are donating money to two charities : 1. CCHF - All about Kids 2. MS Trust

RBLI WINS 2 AWARDS

RBLI claimed the top prize at the 2013 Charity Times Awards, by winning Charity of the Year with over £10 million income. RBLI would like to thank those that have supported the charity.

RBLI won the 1st & 2nd place in the Social Firms UK photo competition, for photographs depicitng the values of Social Enterprise - employment, enterprise & empowerment. EQUIP

SITTING

COMFORTABLY? Mesh Office Seating is the sole authorised UK distributor of the widely acclaimed and globally recognised ERGOHUMAN range of office chairs. We help create better working environments by providing the ultimate in comfort and posture control with our comprehensive range of ergonomic chairs. Mesh are passionate about quality, style, service and value, and with our products boasting up to 98% recyclability, our aim is to contribute to the perfect eco-friendly working enironment.

0845 652 0693 officechairs.co.uk

VENTURE

Venture

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BUSINESS MEETS REAL LIFE ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE

MESH OFFICE SEATING Started 2008 | Newmilns, Ayrshire Office chairs | quality, affordable Managing Director, Alisdair McGready

Mesh Office Seating (UK) Ltd, a distributor of ergonomic office chairs, started life in March 2008 and was initially run by one person, Gareth Gillespie from his home!

Gareth saw an opportunity to bring an old disused building back to life! As the building was falling into disrepair it was the perfect choice to help sustain local industry. “Recycling” a disused buildHaving worked in the office ing satisfies the Mesh envifurniture industry, and with ronmental ethos to work with experience in web building the environment. and sales, Gareth’s entrepreneurial viGareth continues sion saw a niche in to have a strong the market for qualvested interest as ity, affordable, erthe Owner. Alisdair gonomic office seating. The McGready, the longest servEnjoy office chair ticked all ing employee, has now takthe boxes and he formed a en over as Managing Director and Jamie Hood slipped The staff chose their own neatly into Alisdair’s previous office wall mural, role as Sales Director.

furniture and colour schemes.

Mesh is the sole authorised distributor of a range of office strong liaison and friendship chairs throughout the UK and with the designer. Ireland. The range includes Enjoy, Ergohuman, ErgohuThese days Mesh is no longer man Plus, Nefil and Mirus ofa one-man-show working fice chairs, all of which have a from a spare bedroom. A simple single lever control to productive team now runs operate the main functions of the Company from a former seat height, seat depth and Victorian lace mill in New- back tilt. milns, Ayrshire.

0845 652 0693

officechairs.co.uk

info@officechairs.co.uk EQUIP

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Feature

FEATURE

Simon Hamilton International Director of the British Institute of Interior Design

Equip asked Simon for his professional views on the importance of interior design for people with a disability working from home.

s a creatively driven Interior Designer, International Director for the British Institute of Interior Design, author, tutor, mentor, presenter and International Property Awards judge, Simon Hamilton is a very active member of the design community. With the ability to combine beautiful materials, textures and colours, he and his team at Simon Hamilton & Associates in London have created luxury interiors for a wide range of discerning clients.

functionalism aestheticism

Simon emphasised that whilst hiring a professional interior designer may be beyond the financial reach of most people, there is a lot individuals can do for themselves in ensuring their home environment is suitable for their work. The main challenge facing the interior design for someone with a disability is the fine balance between aestheticism and 6

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functionalism. More emphasis has to be made on functionalism in this context, hopefully with as little compromise as possible on the aesthetic desires of the individual involved. Ergonomics is a good example of the functional aspect that needs to be considered. “We find many people working from home just use a dining room chair or a second hand chair they bought from a used office

equipment store as the desk chair in their homes”, he observes. “Inadequate seating can bring on or exacerbate serious back issues.” Another key functional area is accessibility, as in the case of wheelchairs and walking aids, furnishings and the use of space. Dividing the living and working space is also critical, even if it is just a psychological division. This can even be done in the

Feature

same space through the use of relevant décor and furnishings. Improving accessibility can be partly addressed by simply re-arranging furniture, and of course de-cluttering. Space saving solutions are often crucial. Attention to detail is also vital, as it can be the difference between enablement and disablement. Sometimes sentimental pieces might have to be removed from centre-stage, or as a last resort replaced.

Lighting is another important area especially in the case of the visually impaired, as it has both aesthetic and practical aspects. People often relegate the use of lighting, but it can have a major effect on mood, can be used aesthetically to

enhance important pieces, hangings and physical areas and is also necessary from a practical perspective to help with eye-strain when viewing computer and TV screens. Simon acknowledges that

“Attention to detail is vital”

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tion to ensure their home workers are not at risk. As an employer with this responsibility, you should determine exactly what your design challenges are, and use a service like the RBLI for ergonomical assessments and to help define the technical side.

colour is a personal choice but when choosing and using colour it is important to remember colour affects mood. Simon points out that sometimes one’s favourite colour is not the appropriate choice when the primary use of that space needs to be considered. Simon also cautions that the degree of light in an area will affect the chosen shade. Photographs courtesy of Employers also have a le- Simon Hamilton & Associates gal Health & Safety obliga- www.simonhamiltonassociates.com EQUIP

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Profile

PROFILE JOHN ANDREWS

THE PEOPLE CHANGING THE WORKPLACE FOR THE BETTER

ERGONOMIC CAFE • MD

Role Launched Based

Having worked in the mechanical engineering sector for over 20 years. I decided in 2009 to put all my energies into designing ergonomic office solutions and launched my company the Ergonomic Cafe .

I have always enjoyed design and development, and I didn’t understand why others would need to work for hours on paper and computer screens in order to create solutions, whilst I had always done it in my head. It was only when I was 39 years old that I realised I am dyslexic, and although I had slightly struggled through school with teachers telling me to ‘try harder’, and ‘I must read more at home’, I still left school with above average results and qualifications. But fortunately for me my dyslexia had given me a gift which allowed me visually 8

Managing Director 2009 Anglesey, Wales

01407 840 691 |

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manipulate and construct tomers. On the 20th of Noin my minds eye, and thus vember I had the pleasure aided me in the one area I of demonstrating a selection of our document holders, laptop stands and tablet Awards stands to the assessment team at RBLI. And I was very WDA Innovation impressed with their knowledge and enthusiasm in 3x BSIF Awards sourcing solutions for the 6x FIRA Ergonomic clients they assist. Excellence My mission now is to continue to be the markets innovator, and to increase our really enjoy….design and in- products awareness to comnovation. panies like the RBLI as I know As a small company based our products can help make on Anglesey in North Wales peoples daily duties easier, we work hard with UK com- more comfortable and more panies to deliver British productive. products to our British cus-

ergonomiccafe.com

@ErgonomicCafe

QA +

Q+A

PARESH JOTANGIA

ACTION FOR BLIND PEOPLE

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ACCESS TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR

TYPICAL DAY

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

HOW MUCH DOES IT MATTER TO YOU? What’s a typical day like for an Access Technology (AT) Co-ordinator? In a typical day, we have enquiries from people with sight loss, their support workers and professionals working with them. The enquiry could be anything from “how do I use my phone as I cannot see it anymore?” to “I am an accountant and losing

What has been the highlight of your job in the past year? I have seen technology move on so much with mainstream products being designed with an inclusive approach to meeting needs of disabled people. A prime example; Apple products and how the visually impaired world has taken them on! They are revolutionary in

27,000

visually impaired people helped by AFBP 2012 -2013

delegates attended ‘Eating the Apple’

my sight and cannot use SAGE on my computer”. On the other hand, we might visit a service user to carry out an assessment in order to look at technology solutions to enable the individual to carry on doing their job. Each assessment is different and tailored to the needs of that particular individual.

making a big impact to the lives of people with sight loss. They have changed how a visually impaired person uses a mobile phone with no buttons, for example, to do their grocery shopping on a computer straight out of the box. With this new technology in mind, I organised two events to explore the potential of Apple products on the lives of people with sight problems. The first, called ‘Slicing the Apple’, was attended by over 60 delegates; the second, ‘Eating the Apple’ had 80 delegates.

0303 123 9999

actionforblindpeople.org.uk

Can you explain how much the role matters to you personally? As a visually impaired person myself, I am always keen to be an inspiration to employers, showing how I have used technology to overcome barriers experienced by people with a sight loss in the workplace. I like to help employers become more aware of services,

“I am always keen to be an inspiration to employers” products and training. This will allow them to assist blind and partially sighted people, such as producing information in accessible formats, or using lighting and tactile surfaces to improve the office environment. I always advocate a workplace assessment though, because an employer might think I am a good example, but there are so many eye conditions, so what works well for me might not be the right solution for someone else!

@actionforblind

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DYSLEXIA

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Dyslexia

THE

TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES PEOPLE CHANGING LIVES IN THE WORKPLACE Assistive Technology 11 Life Experiences 12 Strategy Coaching 13 British Dyslexia Association 14-15 10

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Dyslexia

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LexAble from

“

LEXABLE ORIGINATED FROM ONE PERSON’S DESIRE TO REACH HIS POTENTIAL

”

LexAble develops assistive software for people with dyslexia and literacy issues. Founded in 2007 and based in Cardiff, LexAble originated from one person’s desire to reach his potential. Today their products are used in universities, schools and workplaces in the UK.

Neil Cottrell, Managing Director of LexAble, is severely dyslexic. Identified at the age of 10, he became highly dependent on

assistive software, so really understands its value. Whilst growing up he had various coping strategies, which included using the AutoCorrect feature in his word processor. This helped greatly, but had its limits. When he wanted to write an email, fill in forms, or draw mind maps he found himself back at square one. At the age of 15 he had become confused and frustrated as it was so

0800 458 1922

difficult to write, plus his spelling wasn’t improving. Being used to using assistive The next chapter in our story will be our Mac software and developing his own coping strategies, he release in February. decided to create his own We cannot wait! software tool – Global AutoCorrect. ed through the DSA and Global AutoCorrect started ATW. out as a very basic tool, au- Neil has since been named the British Dyslexia Association’s Young Achiever of the Year 2010, and LexAble received AbilityNet’s Technology4Good Accessibility tomatically correcting Neil’s Award in 2012. LexAble has spelling as he typed in any continued developing, exprogram. It meant that his panding and improving its ideas could flow, as he was software, and has expanded no longer worrying about to 8 team members in the spelling. Neil realised that past year. the software could help many other people with dyslexia, and, after years of hard work and development, became regularly recommend-

“ ”

lexable.com

@LexAbleSoftware EQUIP

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Dyslexia

LIFE EXPERIENCES Typing with dyslexia made simple, quick and error free by Jilly Goddard

CHALLENGES

SIGHT & SOUND TECHNOLOGY

Communicating via email – a critical aspect in Jilly’s dayto-day role at the school, was becoming increasingly challenging with Jilly’s acute dyslexia and difficulty typing. “At 66 years old, I’m not as quick as I used to be with my fingers, especially when typing, which has never been very good due to my dyslexia” Jilly explains. “With the number

SOLUTION Through Sight and Sound Technology, Jilly was introduced to and provided with assistive typing and reading software solutions; Dragon Naturally Speaking and ClaroRead. To ensure Jilly was able to seamlessly make the transition to using the software solutions in her role at the school, training, funded by the Disability Students Allowance, was provided by

Reading the computer screen was becoming a struggle of typing errors I was making, the spell checker function was becoming inadequate, reading from the computer screen was becoming a struggle, and my main method of communication at the school via email was becoming less effective. Also, studying for an MA in Special Educational Needs meant that I would need assistance to write the required assignments andreports.” Jilly decided to seek a solution, which is when she came into contact with Sight and Sound Technology.

01604 798070

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R E S U LT S

After only six training sessions, Jilly is now completely proficient and confident using Dragon Naturally Speaking and ClaroRead at a higher level of proficiency.“Being an educational consultant, I am responsible for producing advisory reports for schools.” Explains Jilly. “Before, this meant that I would either have to slowly type out the documents myself or ask someone to assist me. Now,I am able to effortlessly dictate what I want to type using

sightandsound.uk

Sight and Sound Technology. “At first, I was very unsure about whether I would be able to use this new technology, however the support I received from Sight and Sound Technology quickly increased my confidence” says Jilly. “The training I received was very flexible to my working arrangements.”

Dragon Naturally Speaking, and then use ClaroRead to playback what I have typed” “Using ClaroRead, I can have documents that my colleagues have sent me instantly read aloud at a speed and accent that I require. Dragon Naturally Speaking has given me the ability to type easily and independently again. My colleagues have noticed that my emails have gone from being brief with typos, to being more coherent and error free!”

info@sightandsound.co.uk

STRATEGY COACHING

Dyslexia

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BENCHMARKING &

STANDARDS

Strategy Coaching is a frequent reasonable adjustment brought in by employers to support people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD(H)D, ASD and other types of neuro-differences. Research published by the British Psychological Society in 2013 demonstrated how often the following topics were requested by clients and managers:

This reflected what we at Genius Within had suspected for a while â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that professional skills can be more important than literacy. We decided to take a review of how we worked with this broad range. After noticing the lack of benchmarked standards for these skills, we have condensed it into a comprehensive, modular programme, endorsed by the Institute of Lead0845 4747 945

ership and Management (ILM). Clients chose their own modules to suit their needs from a list of core and optional topics.

market leaders in professional training. This su ports ALL our clients. Additionally, for just ÂŁ75 plus VAT it means that the ILM will certify each coaching programme, confirming that the learner has met required grade of performance improvement in the workplace. The best thing is that our current methods and the report writing that we already do is sufficient, and no extra work is required for our clients.

It means that our coaching programmes have been quality benchmarked and externally verified, by the geniusiwthin.co.uk

@GeniusWithinLtd EQUIP

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BRITISH DYSLEXIA Dyslexia

VISION

A dyslexic friendly society enabling all dyslexic people to reach their potential.

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

The BDA Team

The involvement in the Access to Work scheme is seen by the BDA as not only contributing to the support of the dyslexic community and helping promote awareness of the support available but also as a banner to identify that we are actively involved in the promotion of supporting disabilities as a national agenda. BDA are working in conjunction with 2 leading financial companies in London by conducting diagnostic assessment to enable suitable access arrangements to be put in place for their professional exams.

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WEEK

During Dyslexia Awareness Week in October the BDA produced a range of downloadable resources for both education and the workplace environments (available at www.bdadyslexia.org.uk) these attracted over 2,500 downloads, our webpages also achieved a record number of views 41,985 during this week, this over 300% more than in 2012, indicating that the dyslexia awareness is improving. The BDA also held an Art Exhibition of images from dyslexic artists.

41,985

record number of website views during Disability awareness week

300%

more visits to the website during the week than in 2012

TRAINING AUG 13 - NOV 13

The BDA run a wide range of training courses specifically targeted at those who are supporting dyslexics and also those who have a general interest in finding out more. During the period of August to October 2013 these course attracted 988 delegates. These courses are run throughout the country but we are also able to tailor the content to an organisations specific need.

Total no. of courses run 14

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452

Total no. of delegates on open courses

No. of bespoke/ onsite courses run

988

Approx no. of delegates on bespoke/ onsite courses run

ASSOCIATION

Dyslexia

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PROJECTS

The BDA is involved in a number of projects, three of which are detailed below.

Youth Offending Teams

AIM To spread dyslexia awareness to as many different YOTs as possible. Training staff, helping them to change their practice to a DF way, use a checklist and then screening tool (if necessary) to identify dyslexia in young people and then hopefully get them the help they need. From our point of view we hope that ultimately the YOT will want to go for Quality Mark at the end of the process. We also try to support staff at the YOT who also have dyslexia.

Children Will Shine A project offering specialist dyslexia intervention at an affordable price for children. The Project currently offers teaching for children with dyslexia in the UK and works with teachers, teaching assistants and parents to support the areas of literacy, numeracy, personal organization and self-esteem, as well as giving advice on how to maximize their dyslexic strengths.

Dyslang (Dyslexia & Additional Academic Language Learning)

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Access Ability

ACCESS ABILITY

The website that helps businesses to recruit people with disabilities

Aim...

To provide any & every employer with easy access to the right information, from the right people, right on their doorstep. We know that there are many businesses out there who genuinely want to employ people with disabilities, but at the same time, feel they lack the confidence and support to get started. Feedback from employers tells us that it can be difficult to understand the range of help on offer. “We’d like to get involved, but don’t know where to start”, is the common refrain

The interactive site directs employers to the expert organisations in their area, who can: • provide them with the information and guidance they need, • support them – at no cost to the employer – through every step of the process, • provide employers with access to a pool of job-ready candidates, and • give them the confidence to realise their as

“We’d like to get involved, but don’t know where to start”, is the common refrain from employers.” from employers, large and small. That problem may just have been solved however, by www.accessability.info: a new website set up by RBLI and the other leading providers of both Access to Work and Work Choice – the governAc Work and Work Choice – the government’s principal disability employability programmes.

piration to improve their business by employ ing people with disabilities.

Kenny Boyle, a spokesman for Access Ability, told Equip that the aim of the new site is simple: “Employers have been clear and consistent when describing what it is that they need – expert, local assistance to help them to become ‘Disability Confident’. The aim of the Access Ability site therefore equally single-minded: to provide any and every employer with easy access to the right information, from the right people, right on their doorstep”.

www.accessability.info | discover how you can employ people with disabilities 16

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ASSESSMENTS DELIVERED BY RBLI DSE & WORKPLACE

The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment is part of a company’s legal requirement to its employees, to ensure that they are working comfortably and safely within the workplace. RBLI can provide a fast and efficient service that covers your legal requirements and gives you peace of mind, knowing that your employees are being looked after to a very high standard.

“

A safe and happy workforce inspires confidence & productivity.

”

SINGLE & MULTIPLE IMPAIRMENT RBLI provide both single needs assessments and multi-needs assessments to support ergonomic, physical and/or sensory needs or those arising from a learning difficulty within the workplace. Each report has clear justification as to why the particular recommendations have been put forward, allowing an employer and employee to make a clear, informed decision of support going forward. Our assessments are carried out by qualified healthcare professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and osteopaths to ensure that our team fully understand the body’s needs in the workplace. This delivery is complemented by our technical assessor’s who have years of experience supporting both sensory and technical needs.

For more information: Tel: 07725 790 776 Email: info@rbli-ess.com

RBLI reports include: • Relevant medical history • Identification of current and future work-related needs • Clear solutions to over come those needs along with information of where to obtain the support and how much the support will cost

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Microlink

MICROLINK UNIVERSAL INCLUSIVITY

C O M PA N Y I N F O R M AT I O N

2,000,000

people in higher education supported by bespoke solutions

OWNERS

Dr Nasser Siabi OBE Vee Gangavian

Microlink’s pioneering work has been recognised through awards including, most recently, the Business Disability Forum’s best SME 2012, Disability Champion 2012 and the Disability Standard award 2012, where we were valued amongst FTSE 100 organisations. They were also awarded first place in the Springboard Microlink began as a result Consulting Groups Disability of the experiences of own- Matters Europe Award 2012. ers Dr Nasser Siabi OBE and Microlink has grown to proVee Gangavian had working vide bespoke solutions to with their disabilities, in a time support over 2000,000 individwhere disabilities and learn- uals in higher education and ing difficulties were not always the workplace to achieve their understood, and products true potential. They continue and services not easily avail- to provide their multi-award able. The past 20 years has winning end-to-end Reasonaseen their efforts develop to ble Adjustment solutions to a make Microlink the leader in growing number of the largest the Assistive Technology mar- Public and Private sector emket, bringing affordable and ployers in the world, allowing effective products and servic- them to become confident in es to a more mainstream envi- supporting their existing and future employees who work ronment. Microlink is Europe’s largest multi-award winning supplier of Assistive Technology and inclusivity solutions. Since 1992 they have been pioneers of the inclusivity industry, with their multi-award winning services supporting businesses and individuals in education and work environments.

0800 999 2620 | microlinkpc.com | @microlinkpc

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EUROPE’S LARGEST supplier of Assistive Technology & inclusivity solutions with disabilities. As well as extensive work with the Business Disability Forum in promoting action for employers to actively engage with disabled people, Microlink has worked alongside organisations including Mission Motorsport, Help for Heroes and Thundercat Racing, promoting action and awareness for injured service men and women.

2012 AWARDS Business Disability Forum Best SME Disability Champion Disability Standard Award Disability Matters Europe

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To book call 01622 734334 and quote FIZZ to get this offer

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RBLIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Print, Mail and Fulfilment Services operate as a commercially focused social enterprise, delivering high quality digital and litho printing, direct mail, and assembly and finishing, while employing ex-Armed Forces personnel and people with disabilities.

For a competitive quote or more information: Tel: 01372 389 940 Email: info@rbli-pmf.com