1. Myerscough College 11/10/13 AccessNW

2. Agenda Hot Topics: A chance for everybody to introduce themselves to the group and provide some information on developments, projects, concerns and opportunities from their perspective. Jisc RSC NW Update: A chance to meet our new manager, details of resources and future events available as well as exciting news on funding opportunities ACE Centre: Representatives from this charitable organisation will be highlighting the opportunities they provide to learning providers in supporting the use of Assistive Technology and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (ACC) Discover Jisc: Staff from Myerscough college with discuss their involvement in this project which looked at the development and dissemination of resources as well as the impact of IT on the learner. Assistive Technology in Exam Conditions: An update on what has happened since the last AccessNW meeting. AccessNW 11/10/132

3. Hot Topics Title of presentation 00/00/20133 Topics

4. Jisc RSC NW Update Manager, Paul McKean Equipment Loan Events Title of presentation 00/00/20134

5. Upcoming events Advanced Moodle users forum Date: 16 October 2013 Venue: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Price: Free This is a technical forum to discuss the administration features of Moodle 2.5, the upgrade process from previous versions, and how the user interface design can be enhanced. Title of presentation 00/00/20135 http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/northwest.aspx Libraries have impact: Raising the profile Date: 5 November 2013 Venue: National Railway Museum, York The focus of this year’s Learning Resources Conference is how libraries and library managers can engage with their institution, students and colleagues to ensure that the strategic and operational activities of the library are fully aligned with the institution’s strategic plan.

6. Upcoming events Meet the Suppliers Date: 12 November 2013 Venue: Haydock Park Racecourse Price: Free This event provides an opportunity to interact with suppliers of new and emerging technologies. Over 40 exhibitors will be showcasing innovative products and services with mini-presentations throughout the day. Title of presentation 00/00/20136 http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/northwest.aspx

7. Upcoming events Getting Started with Funding Bids Date: 23 October 2013 Venue: Online Price: Free This short online session will identify questions you need to ask yourself when preparing a funding bid. It will draw upon the experience of previous successful funding bids as a method of identifying application requirements. Title of presentation 00/00/20137 http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/northwest.aspx Funding Bids Support event Date: 4 November (TBC) Venue: TBC A face to face event to support the writing of specific funding bids.

8. ACE Centre Title of presentation 00/00/20138 Stephen Carroll Lisa Farrand

9. Discover Jisc Title of presentation 00/00/20139

10. Assistive Technology in Exam Conditions “….OfQual are jumping on this feedback …they see an urgent need for action especially around Functional Skills but more generally in terms of accessibility and e-assessment. Just to say thanks for getting the ball rolling – we’ve tried so many times on this and I guess it just didn’t reach the right person at the right time, and now it seems that it has.” Dr Simon Ball, Senior Advisor, JISC TechDis (March 13) Title of presentation 00/00/201310

11. Assistive Technology in Exam Conditions I had a useful meeting in July with OfQual, the main Awarding Bodies, BDA and RNIB, about several aspects of e-assessment, including the accessibility of PDF alternative formats, assistive technologies, and on-screen testing. …. I proposed an Awarding Body LookUp system (modelled on Publisher LookUp) where each AB could list contact details for their accessibility department, and also state what they offer / permit in each exam in terms of alternative formats, assistive technologies etc. It would be a good place to get all of the info out in the open, so people could easily see why, for example, a human scribe was not permissible in functional skills but a text-to-speech voice was permissible in the same situation (i.e. because the software means the students is self-sufficient i.e. ‘functional’ without human support)… I think it is very necessary to have a public site which lists which ATs are permitted in which exams. If your forum thinks that would be helpful it might help my case to have an email in support if they have the time..” Dr Simon Ball, Senior Advisor, JISC TechDis (October 13) Title of presentation 00/00/201311

12. Next Meeting. April 2014? Venues Topics AOB Title of presentation 00/00/201312

13. Thank you Bye for now Title of presentation 00/00/201313 www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/northwest kh@rsc-northwest.ac.uk @kevhickeyuk 01524 510 064