The fully interactive web trainer, called Learning Zone, has been developed by a small community interest company – 3DChange - and will be competing against some big-name brands, including the BBC, the NHS and Greater Manchester Police, at the E-Learning awards which take place at the Sheraton Park Hotel in London on November 12 2009.
Moira Skinner, 3DChange’s chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to have the Learning Zone recognised in this way. We always knew we had a good product on our hands – all our clients and users say so – but it’s incredible to have come so far against such big players.”
3DChange is a unique public/private sector initiative, which re-invests profits into the community. Based in Croydon, the company was set up in 2007 with the aim of enabling small to medium sized enterprises to work towards compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). 3D Change is a one-stop consultancy providing disability compliance solutions for businesses and organisations. It has been backed by a number of key public bodies and local authorities as well as high profile disability awareness campaigners, such as Paralympic champion Anne Dunham MBE, who has won a total of 12 gold Paralympic medals.
Anne actually features in the Learning Zone, which includes videos of real life scenarios to help to bring the subject matter to life for users trying to get to grips with the legislation. Interactive question and answer sessions also help to gradually build up knowledge. In addition, the Learning Zone allows interactivity between users on the informative discussion forums as well as provides up to date news items including legislative updates and access to a resource centre containing essential guides and practical tips. The course can be taken in bite-size chunks to enable it to be completed around the work pressures of the user, and a certificate of completion is provided once the learner completes the course and final assessment.
Although it has only been in production for a short time, the Learning Zone is already attracting plenty of positive feedback. A survey by 3DChange found 88% of users thought the product ‘excellent’
“We’ve heard some real horror stories about companies who have faced fines of hundreds of thousands of pounds because their staff failed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act,” said Moira. “But the Learning Zone isn’t just about ensuring companies avoid risk. We also believe that embracing disability and diversity can transform businesses so they can access a range of benefits, including broader access to a range of skilled staff, a wider reach for their services to the disabled community and a recognition that they are best practice performers in this field when tendering for contracts with major public bodies.”
