WHAT a shame positive steps we have taken in offering free computer access to elderly and disabled people was presented in a negative manner by the writer of the star letter headed Online GP Booking Unfair On Elderly (News Shopper, October 1).

I feel aggrieved the letter is presented in such a way as if to blame our silver surfer classes rather than the NHS for the shambolic surgery booking system adopted in recent years.

I think we all agree the new method of booking a doctor’s appointment is not conducive to ease for the elderly and disabled who have additional problems to deal with.

I personally have never attempted to book a doctor’s appointment online.

To indicate older people who cannot afford to own or run a computer are at a particular disadvantage is very misleading.

Computer lessons cannot solve all problems but a lack of knowledge will exclude some people from participating fully in the community and it is to these “digitally excluded” individuals our free services are aimed.

We feel we meet the needs of a certain section of the community and our services complement the good works of the many other community projects dealing with tougher and more extreme issues in and around the borough.

A project like ours cannot remove all the barriers to all of the disadvantaged people of the borough but misleading attacks on community projects cannot be advantageous to anyone.

The Access Corporation, a private company set up by two disabled people eight years ago, covers the overheads and provides the funding to make these free computer sessions possible.

Along with free advocacy services to disabled people who are looking for work, we offer free advisory services to help battle disability discrimination and much more.

We feel our contribution to the community is a positive one and find it galling to read a letter which misrepresents our efforts.

Derek Arnold
Technical Director
The Access Corporation