THOMAS WOLSEY SCHOOL – Suffolk County Council, Education Dpt - IPSWICH

County ICT Technical Assessor and Adviser for Communication & Access

Responsibilities: 

• providing assessments to pupils with hearing, visual, complex physical & communication difficulties

• advising on specialized ICT software/hardware & environmental controls

• providing technical support to specialized ICT equipment

• making sure that all equipment for pupil assessment is correctly configured and operational

• setting up ICT equipment in schools for pupils on joint placements

• demonstrating use of ICT equipment to pupils, parents and carers

• provisioning of support and training for mainstream staff in the use of switches and associated software

• ordering equipment as and when needed

• keeping an inventory of all Outreach equipment and software

• ensuring that all equipment is security marked

• ensuring Outreach equipment is maintained in good working order

• attending Outreach meetings with multi professional team

• attending major UK & International shows, exhibitions, conferences & trainings

• researching the latest developments in advanced technology of specialized ICT equipment

WORKING EXPERIENCE:

• Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney (London) / May 2005 - Link

• Access for Communication & Technology Centre in Birmingham / May-June 2005 - Link

• Stanmore Specialist Wheelchair Services in London / June 2005 - Link

Self-employed T/A BITAS - FELIXSTOWE, Suffolk

Business-IT Adviser

• wide range of Business-IT related advices

• data analysis on behalf of different companies

• business analysis

• designing and implementing Access databases

• web design and development (MS FrontPage)

• helping SMEs with other various tasks together with team of consultants (e.g. system audit)

• training in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

Clients: Medite Shipping Co (UK) Ltd, Apollo Ltd, Countryside Home Improvements, Vikings Estate Agents, PMP Plus Ltd, Hanbury Davies Containers Ltd, Imorex Shipping Ltd, Haven Keyboards, in addition to private individuals.

Precision Database Marketing - specialist provider of marketing services to the healthcare industry - BURY ST EDMUNDS, Suffolk

Business-IT Manager (2 months contract)

Responsibilities: 

• creation, development and management of in-house and bespoke databases for healthcare clients (Access 97, dBase IV, Alpha Four V6)

• direct mail campaigns, response handling, fulfilment, analysis call and sales force reporting

• order processing

• managing network with Win 95/98/NT4

• management of telephone and voicemail system

• use of Excel, Access, Quick Address, PowerPoint...in order to produce high quality analysis, presentation and territory mapping of requested data for clients

• involvement in defining and implementing wider information systems and change

• project management

Self-employed T/A BITAS - FELIXSTOWE, Suffolk

Business-IT Adviser

• Business-IT Advice (from how to design templates in Excel and Word to how to deal with new technology, ecommerce, etc.)

• Business-IT Strategy

• Designing and Implementing databases using Access 97/2000, Web design and development

• Breaking down barriers between IT and business, e.g. technical jargon

• Web design and development using Microsoft FrontPage 2000

• Training in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, DTP, etc.

SUFFOLK COLLEGE – UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA - IPSWICH, Suffolk

Jun 99 to Oct 99

System Developer / Programmer (4 months contract) – EBS (Educational Business System) - Student Database, migrating data from MS Access 2 to MS Access 97 and linking to Oracle (Visual Basic and SQL).

SUFFOLK COLLEGE – UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA - IPSWICH, Suffolk

Sep 98 to Jun 99

Modules:  Managing IT, Database Technology, Human Computer Interface, Computer Based Marketing.

Final Grade: 2:1

ANGLIA TIMBER TRADES LTD - WOODBRIDGE, Suffolk

May 98 to Feb 99

Business-IT Manager

Responsibilities: 

• All HW/SW issues (e.g. help to the users, HW/SW installation, configuration and maintenance, etc.)

• Training management staff in e.g. how to use PC, email, Internet, MS Word 97, MS Excel 97, etc.

• Developing & implementing company’s database using MS Access 97, in addition to other databases (e.g. Dartford General Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, etc.) by using RAD, SSADM

• Work on company’s IT Strategy (e.g. Project: “A Longitudinal Case Study of the Investments and the Development of IS/IT in SME” based on Nolan’s Six Stages of Growth Theory; Ecommerce, EMU, Y2K, Teleworking, Biometrics, etc.)

• Work on company’s ISO9001/9002 document (designed over a hundred templates)

• Different advices & recommendations business-IT related

BUSINESS LINK SUFFOLK - BURY ST EDMUNDS, Suffolk

Sep 97 to May 98

Project: “Virtual Garage”                   

Team: two SW Engineers & myself

Objective: to deliver a Database solution which utilizes an accessible integrated package that Business Link can use to demonstrate to Suffolk SMEs how implementation of IT within their company can bring benefits to their businesses.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SUFFOLK - IPSWICH, Suffolk

Sep 96 to Jun 98

 Modules: 

Environment of IT 

D

D = Distinction

 M = Merit

 P = Pass

Systems Architecture

M

Object Oriented Programming

P

IT Systems in Planning

D

Modeling Systems & Data

D

Application Development with Relational Databases

M

Object Based Development

D

Managing Database Technology

M

IT in Organizations

M

IT in Management Planning

M

Managing IT Projects

M

BIT Project (Final piece of work)

D

Common Skills Profiles: Managing and developing self, Working with and relating to others, Communicating, Managing tasks and solving problems, Applying numeracy, Applying design and creativity, Applying technology - all DISTINCTION.

Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas School of Medicine Department of Medical Engineering & Physics

LONDON

From September 2004

Masters of Science (MSc) in Assistive Technology

(up to the final stage)

Suffolk College University

IPSWICH

BIT Professional

BSc (Hons) in Business Information Technology

Suffolk College University

IPSWICH

BIT Professional

HND in Business Information Technology

Nautical College University

(Viša Pomorska Škola)

KOTOR (Yugoslavia)

Ships' Telecomms Engineer

HND in Ships' Telecomms

• Software Testing – The Poor Relation by BCS Professional Development - Ipswich, 13^th Nov 1996

• Video Conferencing by BCS Professional Development - Bury St Edmunds, 11^th Dec 1996

• Millennium Training - Assess & Manage by ITNTO, Ipswich - 7^th & 8^th Dec 1998

• Year 2000 Contingency Planning by SETS - Ipswich, 25^th Mar 1999 

• Business skills workshops by IPSENTA - Ipswich, Nov 1999

• DynaVox & DynaMite (special needs equipment) - Stowmarket, 23^rd April 2004

• Inclusive Technology Information Day - Developing Switching Skills, Making Choices, New Hardware, Software in the pipeline, Creating Resources, IntelliTools Products - Cambridge, 4^th May 2004

• How ICT can Facilitate Inclusion - ACE Centre, Oxford, 20^th May 2004

• Facilitating Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) in the Classroom - TWS Ipswich, 2^nd Sep 2004

• RAATE 2004 - Bringing AT Professionals Together - Botanic Gardens, Birmingham, 8^th & 9^th Nov 2004

• Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) - Looking Beyond the Individual. The Role of the Environment and Communication Partners - ACE Centre, Oxford, 8^th Dec 2004

• RAATE 2005 - Bringing AT Professionals Together - Botanic Gardens, Birmingham, 5^th Dec 2005

• AbilityNet Network Training Day - Voice recognition in the workplace - Microsoft, Reading, 8^th Sep 2006

• e-Access 2006 - Technology for All (The UK's leading annual event on access to all technologies, including internet, PCs, mobile phones and digital TV and radio, by people with disabilities and people of all abilities) - New Connaught Rooms, London - 14^th Sep 2006

• Visit to BT Adastral Park - Adam Oliver (Head Of Corporate Social Responsibility and Age & Disability Programmes BT Group Chief Technology Office) and a few other scientist gave a few of us a 'tour of experience' around Research Centre at Adastral Park. They gave us a background on research, Digitally Amplified Phone, Streaming Audio Books, 21c Network Accessibility work, EU collaborative research, Force Feedback Displays (including the Moon interface), Broadband futures showcase, Home 2.0 (or Smart Home),  and Tilting access to information. Unforgettable experience !!! - BT Research Laboratory, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, 23^rd Oct 2006

• Optua - East Suffolk Locality Network for Physical and Sensory Disability Annual Conference - A conference that highlighted the impact of funding cuts in Suffolk on the delivery of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities and the ability to deliver the Governemnt's Independence, Well-being and Choice agenda. - Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Ipswich, 3^rd Nov 2006

• Communication Matters Autism Study Day - "Augmentative Communication for Children with Autism - What do we know?" - Institute of Child Health, London, 23^rd Apr 2007

• Naidex 2007 - The UK's largest homecare, disability and rehabilitation exhibition. NEC, Birmingham, 24^th - 26^th Apr 2007

• Communication Matters - Learn about latest communication aids and low-tech equipment. - Guy's Hospital, London, 22^nd Nov 2007

SOCIAL CARE WORKER SKILLS

• First Aid - St John Ambulance @ Priory House Training Centre, Ipswich, 9th May 2005

• Skills Development - Common Induction Standards - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe, 18th Apr 2006

• Value Base of Care - Common Induction Standards - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe, 18th Apr 2006

• Communication - Common Induction Standards - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe, 19th Apr 2006

• Adult Abuse - Common Induction Standards - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe, 20th Apr 2006

• Health & Safety - Common Induction Standards - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe, 21st Apr 2006

• Manual Handling - Kerrison Conference & Training Centre, Ipswich, 24th & 25th Apr 2006

• Medication - OPTUA, Woodbridge, 27th Sep 2006

• Child Abuse - Allied Healthcare, Bildeston, 2nd Nov 2006

• Physical Restraint & Protection - Ace Care, Ipswich, 16th Nov 2006

• Epilepsy - OPTUA, Woodbridge, 25th Jan 2007

• Makaton - Ace Care, Ipswich, 1st Feb 2007

• Food Hygiene - Ace Care, Ipswich, 22nd Feb 2007

• Health & Safety - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• COSHH - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• RIDDOR - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Clostridium Difficle - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Manual Handling - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Adult Basic Life Support - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Lone Working - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Violence - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Caldicott - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Risk Incident Reporting - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Complaints Handling - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Unsafe Practices - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Basic Food Hygiene - Ace Care, Ipswich, 23rd Aug 2007

• Protection of Vulnerable Adults - Ace Care, Ipswich, 2nd Sep 2007

• Protection of Children - Ace Care, Ipswich, 2nd Sep 2007

• Administration of Medication - Ace Care, Ipswich, 27th Nov 2007

• Manual Handling (including Biomechanics) - Optua, Ipswich, 10th Jan 2008

• Physical Restraint & Protection - Allied Healthcare, Ipswich, 25th Jan 2008

• Pressure Care - Optua, Ipswich, 7th Feb 2008

OPERATING SYSTEMS

General knowledge & use of the following operating systems:

• IBM AS/400

• MS Windows 98

• MS Windows Me

• MS Windows NT4

• MS Windows 2000 Professional

• MS Windows XP Professional

SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

General knowledge & use of the following software:

• COREL Draw 12

• COREL Paint Shop Pro X

• COREL WordPerfect Suite 8

• Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9

• MS Front Page 98 to 2003

• MS Office Professional 97 to 2003

• MS Project 98, 2000 & 2003

• MS Publisher 98 to 2003

• MS SQL Server 2000

• MS Visio Professional 2000 & 2003

• MSC Link 8.0 (component driven maritime software)

• Xara Webstyle 3.0

HARDWARE

General knowledge of PC hardware and architecture.

COMMUNICATIONS

General knowledge of the Internet and web technologies.

SPECIALTY - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

I have working knowledge and provide some training on a number of Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, Computer Applications & Environmental Control Systems (ECS) for assessment purposes.

• Examples of AAC: switches, switch interfaces, alternative keyboards & accessories, notetakers & literacy aids, mouse alternatives & accessories, touch monitors, communicators and controllers.

• Examples of computer applications: Clicker 4 & 5, Writing with Symbols 2000, Penfriend XP, ClozePro, First Keys 2 and others, such as SwitchIt! Series. In addition there are screen readers such as JAWS, screen magnification software such as Supernova screen reader & magnifier, and voice recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.

• Examples of ECS: adVOCAte, Freeway, Compact, GEWA Prog III.

In addition to the above, I have knowledge and some experience of:

• Aids for daily living

• Home/Work site modifications

• Prosthetics & orthotics

• Seating & positioning

• Aids for vision/hearing impaired

• Wheelchairs/mobility aids

• Vehicle modification

• Biomechanics of mobility

• Medical devices regulations

• ISO Standards

• Robotics

• Intelligent control & sensory systems

PERSONAL AWARDS  

My personal website received:

• "Family Friendly Site^TM" - November 2001

• "Seal of Webuser Approval Award" for their reader's the best website design - January 2002

• "Golden Web Award for 2002-2003" from IT Professionals Association in USA - February 2002