The two-year programme, introduced by the University of Ulster, will help develop computer skills among the disabled by training them in voice activated technology.

Based at the university's Jordanstown campus, the scheme aims to improve employment opportunities for this section of the community.

The programme is known as Scribe and will initially focus on people who need to use computers but do not have the full use of their hands.

Professor Mike McTear of the university said: "With the major increase in posts in information technology in Northern Ireland, the project will help their job prospects in computing, where voice technology can be effectively employed.

"The programme will also be suitable for disabled people who may already be in employment but who would like to use the latest advances in voice technology to develop their use of computers."

Disabled through violence

The scheme will be available to university students with disabilities.

It is thought that around 37,000 adults in Northern Ireland are now living with disabilities as a result of the troubles.

According to latest figures, there are over 200,000 disabled adults in the province, more than 17% of the adult population.

This figure is 3% higher than the rate of adult disability in Great Britain, mainly because of the conflict in the province.

The scheme involves a series of two-day courses, and is open to individuals referred by the charity Disability Action in Belfast.