Kidzaware, a Wakefield based charity which takes life sized puppets with
disabilities into school to educate children about disability equality, has received a TalkTalk innovation in the community award at a ceremony at the House Of Lords on Wednesday 14th November 2007.
The TalkTalk awards, run in partnership with UK digital inclusion charity Citizens Online, opened for entries in June and called for submissions from non-profit organisations and charities in the UK. The awards specifically focus on helping organisations to get the best out of technology. Kidzaware was 1 of 30 of the UK's most exciting charity projects chosen to win 1 of the awards.
Kidzaware, like the other winning organisations, will receive a grant of £2,000 to help fund its particular project, as well as recieving a free TalkTalk contract for broadband and landline phone access. The awards have been designed to help groups make the most of the internet by encouraging applications for investment in PC's, hardware, software or technical expertise.
In addition to running its puppet programmes in schools, Kidzaware also offers information, advice and support to families of disabled children locally and nationally. It will use its grant to make its website more accessible and interactive for disabled children.
Gillian Archbold from Kidzaware commented: "We are thrilled to win this award as it will allow us to educate more children about disability equality, bullying and abuse."
"The TalkTalkInnovcation in the Community Awards assist organisations who are delivering real benefits to the community and could do even greater work if they were given a helping hand with technology. We had applications from groups that suppoty disability, protected the environment, assisted the disadvantaged, championed cultiral integration and promoted education. Of the 731 exceptional entries, we believe we have selected 30 very worthy projects that will benefit from the grant and internet access."