Communication and Learning Enterprises LTD (Candle) is a Non-profit organisation based in Ulverston, Cumbria. Here at Candle we are committed to helping and supporting disabled students all over the UK to access the mainstream curriculum and teaching them literacy.
We have helped a number of students over the years who were seen to be ‘unteachable’ due to their disability and lack of communication. We found ways around this and saw potential in students who, using a number of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) approaches can communicate and learn as well as anybody else.
Due to our dedication and belief in these students we have achieved some great things. We currently have a student who is about to go on to University to study maths.
One of our most recent and greatest moments was when our student Johnathan Bryan was awarded the Princess Diana Legacy award. Johnathan was starved of oxygen before birth and due to this he has Cerebral Palsy. Doctors saw him as a lost cause at birth. Since then Johnathan has overcome every barrier and now writes a blog (EYE CAN TALK), he communicates using a letter board and he has also campaigned for non-verbal children to be taught literacy and, along with our lead teacher Marion Stanton, has met with the Minister of Special Education.
As we are a Non- Profit company we are hoping to raise funds to enable us to carry on with our work and help many more disabled students reach their full potential. The money will be spent on research, resources for the students to use, teachers and speech and language therapists which all play an integral part of helping these students grow and achieve great things.