European Telework Development
IntroductionIan Simmins set up his own business, Carlyle Information Services, in November 1996. He lives in Devon, England with his wife Carol, daughter Kathryn and their cat Misty.
Ian's primary role is as webmaster for the European Telework Online web site, this site is supported by, and hosts the central web pages of ETD. He also handles the day to day running of the ETO discussion and announcements lists. Ian wears many hats and his roles are central to the smooth running of ETD, his task of being webmaster brings him under the umbrella of David Skyrme, ETD's Information and Communications Manager. He also works closely with the project's National Coordinators.
Ian has had a keen interest in computers since the early 1980s and made use of his interest during his recouperation from a car accident which put him out of work for nearly six years. In November 1996 he became a self employed Computer Consultant, specialising in Web Site development and related technologies.
My interest in computers began when I owned a Sinclair ZX81 when I was 10, I'm now in my mid twenties with my own business, using computers to earn money rather than play space invaders. The Internet is a part of my everyday life and I believe it is here stay, forget all the negative hype from the media, people once said that radio and television were just gimmicks...
I left school in 1988 and worked first as a 35mm camera operator in a microfilm bureau, then as a delivery driver for a frozen food company. In 1991 I had a serious car crash which left me in a coma for two weeks, I spent a period of two months in hospital due to my injuries. The hard work only really began when I had left hospital; I had to learn how to read, speak, write and walk all over again. I suffered serious head injuries in the crash the effects of which will be with me for the rest of my life. After six years away from the workplace I am now self employed, I bought my first house in June 1997 and I was married in August 1997. On 15th May 1998 our first child was born, Kathryn Louise Carlyle Simmins. This reminds me of the British witticism about waiting an hour for a bus and then three come at once!
During those six years off work I wasn't idle, I travelled a lot once I had learnt how to do all the everyday things we take for granted, again. My longest spell of travelling was for three and a half months during 1995/96 in Southern Africa, mainly South Africa. Details of this and of my other travels can be found in my personal web pages. In 1992/3 I spent six months at Brunel Technical College in Bristol studying avionics (the electronics of aviation - radio and navigation etc.).
From a personal point of view considering my disabilities telework is the answer to my prayers. My working life is entirely flexible, I can work for a few hours until I'm tired, have a break and then pick up the work where I left off. I'm sure there must be plenty of people like me in the world who could find that telework is the answer, it is just a case of finding them!