Enabling Access -Enabling Access -Identifying enabling Identifying enabling

technology for disabled technology for disabled learnerslearners

Aim of this sessionAim of this session

• To consider different approaches to identifying individual requirements for enabling technology.

Objectives:Objectives:

By the end of the session you will have;

• identified how to take a whole organisation approach to recognising learners’ requirements for enabling technologies.

• considered how course design and pedagogies can create barriers to learning for disabled people.

• Created your own enabling technology action plan.

Examples of enabling technologies:Examples of enabling technologies:

What would you like to gain from this What would you like to gain from this session?session?

Discuss this in your group

What is enabling technology in a What is enabling technology in a learning context?learning context?

• Hardware and/or software that help eliminate barriers experienced by some people in learning and training situations. Techdis website

• It may be specialist hardware equipment or software, or

• Mainstream technology and equipment employed or adapted to break down a barrier to learning. (case study A)

• (Techdis online)

Why is enabling technology Why is enabling technology important? 1important? 1

It can:

• make learning inclusive and accessible. (case study B)

• help learners who experience barriers with mainstream technology to use it in a more equitable way. (case study C)

Why is enabling technology Why is enabling technology important? 2important? 2

It can:

• widen the curriculum opportunities to those who have previously been excluded. (case study B)

• promote more independent learning. (case study D)

• create more engaging learning experiences for all learners.

Barriers to Learning - 1Barriers to Learning - 1

A barrier to learning may be:

• Physical - inaccessible buildings or equipment - teaching and learning

activities that exclude some learners

• Psychological - attitudes of staff and other learners

that make individuals feel excluded

Barriers to Learning - 2Barriers to Learning - 2

• Policy- rigid regulations result in some

learners being prevented from participating (e.g. all learners must stand in the science lab)

• Knowledge and skills

- lack of understanding and awareness about accessibility and adjustments

Understand Barriers to LearningUnderstand Barriers to Learning

Take part in the activity

card game –

Spot the barrier and dismantle it!

Activity 1

A whole course approach to A whole course approach to identifying enabling technology identifying enabling technology

requirements 1requirements 1

• Course design and planning

- Factor all learners into your planning• Marketing

- Tell potential students about enabling technology and adjustments

• Lesson Planning- Consider the accessibility of your activities

• Enrolment

- Create opportunities for potential learners to tell you what they need

A whole course approach to A whole course approach to identifying enabling technology identifying enabling technology

requirements 2requirements 2

• Initial assessment

- Ask all learners about what they find difficult about learning and what helps

• Session Delivery

- Observe learners learning, identify where and when they may require support (case study C)

- Show all learners the accessibility options (case study B)

Identifying enabling technology Identifying enabling technology requirementsrequirements

• Take part in the activity –

Creating opportunities for learners to discuss their access and enabling technology requirements

• This activity will give you an opportunity to analyse the opportunities you offer learners on your course from the planning to evaluation stages.

Part A

Enabling AccessEnabling AccessFinally

Prepare an action point for yourself to take away from this session – remember to make it:SMART -

SpecificMeasurableAchievableRealistic andTime specific

Share your action point with other group members and discuss.

Part B