BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
With 91,000 people employed by BT in the UK, the company makes a substantial contribution to the national economy. As well as direct employment and investment, BT provides significant support to business organisations, local community organisations, sports and the arts both through direct funding and the provision of in-kind contributions. BT also actively supports local and regional communities with programmes that enable more people to benefit from new technology through digital inclusion projects.
Scope and BT have a long and valuable history of working together dating back to the 1990s, when Scope began to receiving financial support from BT. The partnership has since grown immensely, with Scope and BT working in collaboration on a number of wide-ranging and innovative projects. These projects aim to ensure equality for disabled people, an example of this is the Wheeltop project. As part of this project, BT's research centre at Adastral Park will help develop bespoke communication devices for young disabled people.
One of those benefiting from the partnership is 22-year-old Natalie Sides who received the first Wheeltop communication device from BT. She now uses it to speak, surf the internet - including maintaining her Facebook profile page - email, text friends and play her favourite music tracks.
The findings of the BT-backed research highlighted a severe shortage of support and equipment for people with communication impairments. BT has supported Scope's campaign for access to communication equipment for those who need it.
BT's actively working towards inclusive communications for everybody. For example, in 2006 we were the first FTSE 100 company to provide BSL information on our website. Stage 1 of this project explained how new technology like broadband could benefit sign language users. Feedback was that people wanted to see more information in BSL and as a result we developed BT Sign, which includes information about how to contact us, how to report a fault, useful phone features etc. More recently, in May 2008, we introduced an audio CD bill, which expands the range of alternative formats for BT bills which already includes Braille, large print and talking bills. The new audio CD bill provides total bill information which was not previously practical with the audio formats.
BT also consults regularly with disabled customers who have expressed a wish to be involved in trialling new products and services. More information about this and other inclusive communication activities, products and services can be found at www.bt.com under disability services.