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The Enabling Power of the MousePainter Constance Hallord-Thompson, now in her seventies, may be losing her sight, which is already impaired. When she was told, she panicked. "Painting is my life," she says. Ian Godfrey had to give up work seven years ago. His worsening sight, and the muscle disease in his hands and feet, stop him from doing the only work he knows, as a receptionist and telephonist. Any Thursday afternoon you will find Constance and Ian at the headquarters of HAFAD - Hammersmith and Fulham Action for Disability - learning a new skill: how to use computers. Constance hopes that if the worst does come to the worst, she can channel her creativity into writing children's stories. Ian just wants to be able to send letters - private letters, and job applications too; and he can't hold a pen properly. "You phone up. They say, 'write in', and your heart sinks," says lan. He has typing qualifications, but in the six years since he was forced to stop work, these became valueless. Constance and Ian are two of the people in West London benefiting from HAFAD's computer courses. They get access to computers, and two trainers are on hand to provide help and advice on how to use them. They can also advise on ways of getting the funding to buy one. "You and I would go to an adult education class for that sort of thing, but Constance and Ian can't," says trainer Jo Greenwell. "The specialist equipment they need will not be there." "Disabled people often lack the confidence to learn new skills. They may have become disabled at school, and been treated as though they were stupid." Constance is delighted with her progress. "I'm learning fast and I find it very exciting," she says. "It's quite a challenge at my age. At first I watched that little mouse going all over the place, but I am starting to find control of it easier. It's sharpening my brain - you really have to concentrate."
NAME: Hammersmith and Fulham Action for Disability (HAFAD)
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