Elevating Learning with Assistive Technology for School-aged Children - Webinar replay
Recorded 8 November 2023
Research suggests children with disability fare better in inclusive mainstream education, and able-bodied students who are educated alongside those with disability hold fewer prejudicial views.
Three of the six commissioners called for the end of special schools by 2051 and no new enrolments from 2032. The remaining commissioners did not think a total phase-out was needed to achieve inclusive education.
All commissioners, however, agreed the status quo could not continue.
So, today, we’re asking the question: is Assistive Technology one of the tools that needs to be integrated on-mass into the education space to help in bridging some of the gaps in learning for students with disabilities or is it like throwing a pencil eraser at spilled bucket of paint?
Assistive technology is changing rapidly and it is no longer confined to being specialised, high-tech equipment. It can be low tech, free/low-cost technology or settings that are built-in to consumer devices and assistive technology, if used across the whole student population could have benefits for all students, not just those with extra learning needs.
The aim of this webinar is to further inform parents, carers and those invested in the education sector on how AT can be accessed and implemented as a practical tool to help your kids navigate life and learning. We’ll talk about gathering a team of experts, including your child's school, how to manage your expectations of what AT can do and finding out who is responsible for providing what, when it comes to supplying AT.
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Penny Melsom, a WA-based OT who has worked with children for over 30 years and was one of the first OT's to provide school-based OT services in Perth. In 1995, Penny along with her business partner Caryn, established Skillbuilders Therapy Services for Children in Leeming, WA. Skillbuilders was developed to provide a team based therapy service for children including Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.
Kerry Kingham, CEO of the Chooze Shop, a purpose-built, online marketplace for Assistive Technology with a user-experience focused on minimising invoicing issues for NDIS participants, their support coordinators and plan managers. Kerry also has lived experience working within the education industry and has navigated the gauntlet of getting the best outcomes for her kids in the school system, when their needs were outside the norm.
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Education and Assistive Technology:
VIC
Disability inclusion funding and support
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/disability-inclusion-funding-support/print-all
https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion%E2%80%93education-in-practice
NSW
Education and Assistive Technology
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/disability-learning-and-support/resources/assistive-technology#Making1
WA
School of Special Educational Needs, disability
https://www.oneclassroom.wa.edu.au/ssend/request-assistive-technology
SA
Equipment and Assistive Technology for School students.
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/disability-and-special-needs/access-equipment-and-assistive
ACT
Inclusive education strategy
https://www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/students-with-disability
NT
Student needs profile
https://education.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/268831/student-needs-profile.pdf
QLD
https://education.qld.gov.au/students/inclusive-education/assistive-technology
TAS
Specialist services to support students with a disability
https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/for-families/support-your-childs-learning/disability-support/specialist-services/
