The Role of Technology Steve Barnard Wilkommen

Help I hope that you can understand me!

“The Government’s objective is to enable people with learning disabilities to have as much choice and control as possible over their lives and their services and support they receive” “Valuing People”

Purpose of Technology To do old things better To do new things

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

Communication Letters to families & friends Newsletters Advocacy Symbolising information

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

Inclusion Calendars (eg. for ‘Ramblers’) Posters ID cards Community awareness Labels

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

Leisure Writing stories – text & symbols to advertise events Personalised greetings cards Digital photography Internet

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

Learning New skills Special and mainstream software E-learning

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

Choices – moving on ! Research using the Internet Who to live with! Keeping in touch through Room Layout Digital camera plays a big role Recording

Benefits of the uses of ICT Communication Making choices Inclusion Learning Leisure Employment

New Skills Training Employability Employment

Why Computers Vivid GraphicsVivid Graphics Repetition at user’s paceRepetition at user’s pace Personalised input devicesPersonalised input devices MultimediaMultimedia Instant responseInstant response RecordingRecording

Benefits – BILD Evaluation Providing access to ICT is a tangible expression of the philosophy of normalisation. ICT amplifies existing skills and helps overcome specific areas of disability The skills use of ICT creates increased opportunities for participation in a range of activities. The power of computers has created new opportunities for sophisticated interactive games. It is possible that ICT could have have implications for personal growth and development

Person Centred Planning “Person centred planning is a way of assisting people to work out what they want, the support they require and helping them get it.” “Person centred planning has the person at the centre, is carried out in alliance with friends and family and is focussed on getting real lives for people.” BILD 2003

Person Centred Planning Choices Life History Ownership Self Esteem Recording

Role Of ICT PCP ViewingCreatingRecording

Funding Community Fund (163K, £551K) Karten Trust (£70K) NOF (£60K) Esmee Fairbairn (£34k) Vodafone (£20K)

Role Of ICT PCP ViewingCreating Transition Recording

Family Carers Own transitions Transitions for one – adjustment for other

Becoming an Adult New relationships New skills/expectations Possible Loss of equipment Transport (Mobility) New Skills New Relationships

Going to Work New Environment New skills (e.g. finance) Work Relationships (authority/colleagues) Time Keeping Appearance Travel

Learning Virtual Learning Models –Environment –Finance –Relationships –Employment

Using ICT Identity/Independence/inclusion ‘Equalising’ Personal Profiles/ Life Stories Virtual Learning Models Information Communication Assistive Technology

Low level high level Independence/Employability –Electrical Goods –Communication –Monitoring –Environmental Control Equal Bid

Communication Maintain Family/Friendsh ip Networks – –Video-links Employment (especially family carers) –Work from home

Research Grant School of Education, University of Birmingham Commences September 2002 £154,000 (two years) “Why is ICT beneficial?”

Staff Training

Conclusion Just the Start Auf Wiedersehen