Belfast Harbour supports Cedar’s digital learning initiative in Ballymena

Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour, Communications and Community Engagement Manager, Rhona McAuley, Cedar, OSD

Belfast Harbour has announced its support for a pioneering digital skills initiative aimed at empowering disabled individuals through technology.

The funding, delivered via Belfast Harbour’s Community Awards programme, will enable the roll-out of Cedar’s User Forum Digital Skills Training Programme in Ballymena.

The five-week hybrid course offers specialist training in using Microsoft Teams, enhancing communication, collaboration, and productivity for participants. Designed specifically for disabled individuals, the programme is expected to significantly improve accessibility and engagement across the Cedar User Forum’s activities.

The initiative forms part of Cedar’s broader mission to promote inclusion through user-led groups in Ballymena, Belfast, Downpatrick, North Down & Ards, Enniskillen, Foyle, and Newry.

These groups are instrumental in shaping services, influencing policy, and co-producing inclusive initiatives that benefit disabled communities across Northern Ireland.

“As a community-focused port, which is committed to supporting initiatives that benefit a diverse range of people, Belfast Harbour is delighted to be able to support this fantastic project by The Cedar Foundation,” said Jenni Barkley, Community Engagement Manager at Belfast Harbour.

“Digital transformation is at the heart of so much of the work we are doing, so we know just what a difference initiatives like the Digital Skills Training Programme can make in empowering disabled individuals by teaching them to use software to enhance their lives and develop their skills.

“We wish everyone taking part in this fantastic project the very best of luck, and look forward to seeing the many positive impacts this will have on their lives.”

Participants in the pilot phase, including User Forum members Jim and Tommy, praised the value of small, focused training sessions. Both individuals highlighted how these sessions helped them build familiarity with Teams functions such as using and opening links, joining and leaving meetings, and navigating layouts.

The full course includes accessible learning features such as video tutorials, screen readers, sign language interpretation, captioning, and step-by-step guides—ensuring the learning experience is inclusive from the outset.

Rhona McAuley, Organisational Development Manager at Cedar, underscored the importance of the programme:

“Platforms like Microsoft Teams can significantly enhance communication, accessibility, and professional growth. Overall, digital training empowers disabled individuals, fostering diversity, improving access to opportunities, and promoting a greater sense of belonging and engagement in professional and social environments. As such this programme will support people to live the lives they choose.”

Set to expand across the region imminently, the initiative will equip participants with the skills needed to use Teams confidently, collaborate effectively, and tailor accessibility features to their individual needs.

The result is greater independence and an increased voice for disabled individuals in their communities and beyond.

Cedar continues to deliver a wide range of support services for people living with disability, autism, and brain injury. With a vision of an inclusive society for all, the organisation places the needs and aspirations of individuals at the centre of everything it does.