Assistive technology are the products and systems that can be used to support and assist individuals with disabilities, restricted mobility or other impairments to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Inclusion College have developed our own Assistive Technology programme to support our students.
The aim of the programmes is to increase our students’ confidence and independence, in preparation for adult life. Assistive technology is already widely embedded within the academic teaching at the College, for example with use of laptops , use of graphic overlays on screen and other technology that makes the learning more accessible.
However, an emerging area for us is the use of apps and devices to increase our students’ independence in the wider community.
This is a unique and innovative programme.
Examples of different ways of using these could be:
Student who is unable to read, by using Google Lens app they can take photos of signs and the app reads it to them. This means they can find their way, attend hospital appointments and travel by train and bus.
Another student who has a severe and complex barrier to employment but not having any concept of time. Use of a tracking and daily organisation app will help them to leave the house on time, get to work on time, thereby increasing their employability.
Apps can also be used to help them manage their finance, and also support their health and wellbeing
We tailor our support to each student and teach them to use apps, and to develop their confidence in using them independently.
It is our aim, that by using these Apps our students will have increased independence, increased employability, independent travel, increased ability to attend appointments, increased engagement with health and leisure activity and improved mental health and well-being.support programme is tailored to the individual student’s needs and entirely bespoke to them.
There are a range of apps available, each supporting different aspects of learning such as maths, english, general knowledge, timings, reading and mental health and well-being.
Using these systems on ipads and laptops also supports greater engagement with learning as well as developing other areas such as fine motor skills, problem solving, greater confidence with using technology and different programmes independently, timings and routines and communication.
Take a look below for details on some of the Apps we are currently using.
Our programme is continuing to grow and develop and we are constantly striving to ensure we are providing the best possible opportunities for our students to learn and develop.
If you are interested in learning more or supporting our Assistive Technology programme then please contact our Head of IT and Assistive Technology, Alex Edwards at alex.edwards@inclusionhampshire.org.uk
Elevate
This is a brain training app that works to build cognitive skills, math and english. It has a range of activities that are used to test and build the users skills. It is a popular app and has endless daily activities for students to use. It can help improve writing, reading speaking, math, memory and focusing skills.
Epic!
Epic! Is an app that contains thousands of books, comics and quizzes for students to access. It acts like a library for students to access content independently. The reason that it fits nicely into assistive technology is the range of accessibility features it has, such as text to speech. This is great as it allows students to read along the highlighted text and change pages of the book independently, but have the book read to them.
This can help build reading skills. The quizzes are about the books and quizzes on the app so it builds great memory skills alongside critical thinking.
Math Learner
Math learner is a math based game on the iPad that focuses on simple but important math skills. It incorporates a story into the work and keeps the learner engaged by taking the student through different scenarios. It works on fine motor skills at the same time by teaching students how to draw numbers by following a stencil. It can help improve maths skills, learning to write numbers, consistent engagement by staying on task, memory building by remembering the story aspects.
Typing Game
This app is to improve students ability to type on a keyboard. The layout is the same as a computer keyboard and it puts the student into a race that looks to challenge the user. It rewards you with points and high scores that can be very encouraging. It looks to help students remember where keys are on the keyboard without having to look and start learning the basic muscle memory needed. This can improve Fine motor skills, typing skills and critical thinking.
If you would like to contact us with any further queries then please complete the form with your details and message and one of our team will be in touch.
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Inclusion Education is a working name of Inclusion Hampshire Registered CIO number 1162711
