1. Enabling Access - Identifying enabling technology for disabled learners

2. Aim of this session To consider different approaches to identifying individual requirements for enabling technology.

3. 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.

4. Examples of enabling technologies:

5. What would you like to gain from this session? Discuss this in your group

6. What is enabling technology in a learning context? Hardware and/or software that help eliminate barriers experienced by some people in learning and training situations. Techdis websiteTechdis 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)Techdis online

7. Why is enabling technology important? 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)

8. Why is enabling technology important? 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.

9. Barriers 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

10. Barriers 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

11. Understand Barriers to Learning Take part in the activity card game – Spot the barrier and dismantle it! Activity 1

12. A whole course approach to identifying enabling technology requirements 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

13. A whole course approach to identifying enabling technology requirements 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)

14. Identifying enabling technology requirements 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

15. Enabling Access Finally Prepare an action point for yourself to take away from this session – remember to make it: SMART - Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic and Time specific Share your action point with other group members and discuss. Part B