STEPHEN Drew - aka Mr Drew from hit TV documentary Educating Essex - was the guest of honour as a sight charity launched its Disability Awareness Training course to great success”.

Mr Drew was shown the equipment, read through the documentation on the DAT, and tested some of the props used for the training at Support 4 Sight’s centre on George Street.

As part of a video interview with the charity’s training co-ordinator Hanna Starr, he said “One of the things we know, as a society, is that the more we train people, the more we educate people in basic skills, the better service we can provide.

“I fully recommend people getting in contact with Support 4 Sight, and getting them in for Disability Awareness Training.”

Support 4 Sight is providing DAT to ensure “all local services are as accessible as possible for those with visual, and other, impairments”.

With customer-facing staff primarily in mind, the intention is to improve general disability awareness so that any and all staff members can be confident in their day-to-day interactions with disabled people.

It can be applied to all environments - retail, education, healthcare, offices, charities, industrial and political - and means that employers will be able to meet the standards expected by the Equalities Act.

Ms Starr, who is driving the initiative, said: “This is a great opportunity for any business to make sure they are up to code with current legalities regarding the treatment of disable people. It will also improve the service experience given by members of staff.”

• Meanwhile, Seymour, the Support 4 Sight mascot, will be running around Saffron Walden challenging people to ‘Flip a Pancake’ on Shrove Tuesday, with the proceeds going to the charity.

For more information contact Hanna Starr on 01799 523700.