ICT

NCVO are delighted to announce that following detailed discussions, supported by the Cabinet Office, Microsoft has introduced new eligibility criteria for charities accessing discounted Charity (Academic) pricing. The principle criterion is that charity pricing will be offered to all registered charities, with a small number of exclusions for certain groups who are covered by other agreements.

A new crowdsourced report launched today by the technology and welfare charity Lasa, named ‘Digital: what Every Charity Leader Should Know,' reveals that opinion leaders including Martha Lane Fox and Beth Kanter want charity leaders to exploit digital's potential for income generation, collaboration and reaching supporters to create a more sustainable sector .

The report asked participants to summarise their 5 top insights into digital's use for sector sustainability, using one slide each.

Microsoft has announced plans to change the eligibility criteria from 01 July for their charity pricing (select UK from menu). The key change is under the 'Ineligible Organisations' section, 2c:

Minimum Voluntary Income Funding - organisations that receive less than [10%] of their annual funding from voluntary donations, legacies and other fundraising

NCVO believe this will have a real impact on a large number of groups and are petitioning Microsoft to reconsider.

Data is a resource that is becoming available in abundance to the Voluntary sector. Whilst the sheer amount of data available can be overwhelming, there is now a growing amount of digital tools emerging that can help groups and organisations to make sense of it and use it to practical gain.

A new law will soon come into force which will affect how websites are managed. On 26 May the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) imposes an EU directive designed to protect internet users' privacy. This article shares some important information and guidance with VCS groups and organisations with their own websites. We hope that it will inform you on the steps that should be taked to comply with this new law.

Wikimania may be coming to Bristol in the Summer of 2013. Wikimania is an annual international conference for users of the wiki projects operated by the Wikimedia Foundation (such as Wikipedia and other sister projects), the worlds largest volunteer effort. Up to a 1000 delegates could descend on the city for a week next Summer for the 9th conference since they began in 2005.

A new three-year initiative to help Bristol people access the internet,
learn new skills and find out more about computers and technology is
to be launched later this month (24th January).

The Get IT Together project in Bristol is funded by BT, supported by
Bristol Council and delivered by national charity Citizens Online. The
project is part of the nationwide Get IT Together programme, backed by
BT, Nominet Trust and a variety of local partners.

To some people, recorded material in your documents or presentation is totally meaningless. They can't hear it.

When you create any sound materials, ask yourself the following:
Does this make sense without the audio material?
If not, do I provide a text equivalent of the audio material?

With these two questions you will make sure people with hearing impairment will be able to equally enjoy what you have to show them.

Hat Tip: Tom Babinski http://www.evengrounds.com/

The Cable & Wireless Worldwide Foundation is looking for long-term opportunities to collaborate with not-for-profit organisations in the UK that support, research, develop or implement the appropriate, specialist communication requirements for those with special needs.

Communication solutions and services are also available to organisations supporting people with special needs. The following support is available:

In 2010, Bristol City Council secured funding from Government (DECC) to commission a Smart City study. The slideshow beneath and accompanying soundtrack are the presentation of the final report and a summary of the findings.