These resources will be useful for all staff working with young people with SEND.
Table of contents
Use what you already have
Simple changes can reduce effort, increase accuracy and enable learners to focus on the task rather than the method. The tablets, laptops, desktops and phones which your organisation and your learners already own can be adjusted in hundreds of different ways to enhance access. This could be increasing the size of text and the mouse pointer so they can be seen more clearly, or changing the keyboard and mouse settings to account for dexterity difficulties. For colleges using Microsoft, learners can use Immersive Reader (built into Word and the Edge browser) to view documents and webpages with a different page colour, column width and focussing a line at a time. Immersive Reader will also read text out.
Built-in options can also be part of the solution for learners who need assistance to write by using their voice, see their screen more clearly or physically access a device.
All teaching and support staff should know how to adjust these settings so they can advise learners. Many staff may benefit from using the adaptations themselves. The Built-in Access course from TechAbility will give staff the knowledge to ensure learners can access resources.
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Meet the needs of all learners
Making the shift to a digital-first strategy can ensure that technology is an enabler and a leveller. However it is important that learning resources are produced to be accessible, so that whatever access technology learners use, they can engage with the content. This includes making sure resources have good colour contrast and text size, account for Colour Vision Deficiency and headings for structure. The designing for diverse learners resource gives more details how to create inclusive resources and practices to avoid
Good assessment of learners’ requirements will help to find the right technology to support them, or to adapt their preferred technology so they can use it effectively. The SETT Framework is an excellent way to consider Student, Environment and Tasks, before deciding on what might be the right Technology.
TechAbility’s resources inspire staff as to the potential of technology. A large library of Webinar recordings on specific accessiblity topics is freely available. Training courses include:
10 practical steps to include more learners
Access the world through a smartphone
Supporting Learners’ Assistive Technology at all stages of their college journey
Technology for learners with PMLD
Assistive Technology for Physical Access
Develop your provision
Accessible and Assistive Technology must be integrated well so that learners can benefit fully. The TechAbility Standards are a great starting point for improving your technology use. The Standards help you to measure how inclusive and accessible your technology is and develop your knowledge of areas requiring development. The TechAbility Standards can also help you quality assure your provision and prepare for inspection.
High quality Assistive Technology (AT) provision relies on good IT foundations, direction and monitoring from leadership and staff teams being aware of the difference AT can make for learners. TechAbility can provide Assistive Technology consultancy to assess your current provision and make recommendations on how to progress further.