Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education
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Published on
May 6, 2026
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Recently, Lorraine, our Community Education Officer, had the pleasure of visiting Access IT, a valued member of our Community Education Network, based in Waterford City. The visit provided a welcome opportunity to meet the team in person, learn more about their work on the ground, and further strengthen the collaborative relationships that lie at the heart of our network.
Access IT delivers a wide range of programmes designed to support learners in developing digital skills, building confidence, and creating clear pathways into further education, training, and employment. In total, Access IT currently provides a broad suite of programmes, carefully designed to meet learners where they are from complete beginners to advanced users, and from group-based classes to one-to-one support.
Courses and Learning Pathways
The Beginner Digital Skills programmes cover a broad range of practical topics, including Computer Basics, tablet and iPad use, mobile photography with your smartphone, through Snap and Edit, photo management, Canva, Facebook, and cybersecurity. Access IT also offers ICDL courses for young adults, one-to-one lessons, fast‑track short courses, X and Facebook for personal and business use, and a very popular over-55s Club, which combines group learning with individual support.
For more advanced learners, Access IT provides opportunities through ICDL and ICDL Professional qualifications, advanced PC troubleshooting, one-to-one tuition, business-focused IT courses, and job-seeking skills development. This structured progression pathway allows learners to continue building skills at their own pace while gaining recognised qualifications that support employment and career development.
Inclusive and Learner‑Centred Practice
During the visit, Lorraine also learned more about Access IT’s innovative, learner‑centred approaches. Using assistive technologies and adapted classrooms, Access IT creates a supportive and inclusive environment that enables learners with additional needs to develop practical IT, job‑seeking, and life skills.
Amy Power, Access IT administrator, shared that many learners arrive with little or no digital experience.
“Small class sizes and one‑to‑one support ensure that each learner receives the time, patience, and encouragement they need to grow in confidence.”
The ethos and approaches of the staff at Access IT strongly reflect the shared values of our Community Education Network, including equality of access, learner‑centred practice, and community empowerment.
Partnership and Funding Support
Amy highlighted the essential support of Waterford ETB and the REACH Fund in ensuring that the resources are in place to deliver high‑quality community‑based learning. This funding provides vital support for the planning and delivery of courses, as well as the provision of dedicated tutors. Additionally, Access IT noted that they operate within a range of additional funding streams that are vital to their overall work.
Making a Meaningful Difference
The visit clearly demonstrated the vital role that community education organisations like Access IT play in promoting digital inclusion, supporting lifelong learning, and reaching learners who may face barriers to accessing mainstream education and training. Access IT’s learner‑centred approach continues to make a meaningful difference within the community, and we are proud to have them as part of our network.
We would like to sincerely thank the team at Access IT for their warm welcome, openness, and continued contribution to community education in Waterford City. Their work exemplifies the strength and diversity of our Community Education Network.
To learn more about Access IT and the programmes they offer, visit https://accessit.ie/
AONTAS looks forward to continued collaboration with Access IT and to supporting their ongoing efforts to make education and digital skills accessible to all.
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Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education
Written by
Published on
May 6, 2026
Share This
Recently, Lorraine, our Community Education Officer, had the pleasure of visiting Access IT, a valued member of our Community Education Network, based in Waterford City. The visit provided a welcome opportunity to meet the team in person, learn more about their work on the ground, and further strengthen the collaborative relationships that lie at the heart of our network.
Access IT delivers a wide range of programmes designed to support learners in developing digital skills, building confidence, and creating clear pathways into further education, training, and employment. In total, Access IT currently provides a broad suite of programmes, carefully designed to meet learners where they are from complete beginners to advanced users, and from group-based classes to one-to-one support.
Courses and Learning Pathways
The Beginner Digital Skills programmes cover a broad range of practical topics, including Computer Basics, tablet and iPad use, mobile photography with your smartphone, through Snap and Edit, photo management, Canva, Facebook, and cybersecurity. Access IT also offers ICDL courses for young adults, one-to-one lessons, fast‑track short courses, X and Facebook for personal and business use, and a very popular over-55s Club, which combines group learning with individual support.
For more advanced learners, Access IT provides opportunities through ICDL and ICDL Professional qualifications, advanced PC troubleshooting, one-to-one tuition, business-focused IT courses, and job-seeking skills development. This structured progression pathway allows learners to continue building skills at their own pace while gaining recognised qualifications that support employment and career development.
Inclusive and Learner‑Centred Practice
During the visit, Lorraine also learned more about Access IT’s innovative, learner‑centred approaches. Using assistive technologies and adapted classrooms, Access IT creates a supportive and inclusive environment that enables learners with additional needs to develop practical IT, job‑seeking, and life skills.
Amy Power, Access IT administrator, shared that many learners arrive with little or no digital experience.
“Small class sizes and one‑to‑one support ensure that each learner receives the time, patience, and encouragement they need to grow in confidence.”
The ethos and approaches of the staff at Access IT strongly reflect the shared values of our Community Education Network, including equality of access, learner‑centred practice, and community empowerment.
Partnership and Funding Support
Amy highlighted the essential support of Waterford ETB and the REACH Fund in ensuring that the resources are in place to deliver high‑quality community‑based learning. This funding provides vital support for the planning and delivery of courses, as well as the provision of dedicated tutors. Additionally, Access IT noted that they operate within a range of additional funding streams that are vital to their overall work.
Making a Meaningful Difference
The visit clearly demonstrated the vital role that community education organisations like Access IT play in promoting digital inclusion, supporting lifelong learning, and reaching learners who may face barriers to accessing mainstream education and training. Access IT’s learner‑centred approach continues to make a meaningful difference within the community, and we are proud to have them as part of our network.
We would like to sincerely thank the team at Access IT for their warm welcome, openness, and continued contribution to community education in Waterford City. Their work exemplifies the strength and diversity of our Community Education Network.
To learn more about Access IT and the programmes they offer, visit https://accessit.ie/
AONTAS looks forward to continued collaboration with Access IT and to supporting their ongoing efforts to make education and digital skills accessible to all.
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