TechAbility Conference
TechAbility 2022 sees us back with a face-to-face conference; essential CPD for anyone working in the field of Assistive Technology. You will have opportunities to hear a range of excellent speakers – all sharing their practice in this area and enabling you to do the same. The conference takes place on Wednesday 16 November at Conference Aston, Birmingham. An easy to reach venue with excellent facilities.
The theme of this year’s TechAbility Conference is ‘Assistive Technology – everyone’s responsibility’. This theme emphasises how assistive technology must be integrated well, and supported by all staff, to be successful. Presentations will highlight how this has been promoted and achieved in organisations through practice or research. We hope you agree it is a really exciting line-up and there are a few sessions yet to be announced.
Eleven workshops for #TechAbility2022 are now confirmed, with more to come! Here are some of the highlights:
Interactive iPad activities -a multi disciplinary approach: Jodie Tatlow, Treloar’s College
Treloar’s College have increased learners’ active and independent use of iPads on the Sensory and Interactive curriculum. A group consisting of Assistive Technologists, Occupational Therapists and a Speech and Language Therapist was formed to look at meaningful activities and how students could access these, especially for those who use access switches.
Jodie will demonstrate using Switch Recipes as a way of unlocking many apps and web programmes for learners who cannot use direct access. A training and support programme has been established so that the activities can be implemented by teaching and learning support staff.
Making gaming accessible: Tom Dore, British Esports
Great advances have been made in making gaming accessible to more people through physical adaptations such as the XBox Adaptive Controller and software adjustments within games. Giving people access to these adaptations can level the game playing field and enable inclusion in competitions. Tom will outline how these adaptations can make a difference and introduce the Specialist Colleges ESports Cup which has run in parallel for the last two years with the Association of Colleges Student Champs competition.
Tom will show how each adaptive equipment setup is unique, and provides opportunity for the user to be involved in gaming where they may have not been able to before. This levels the playing field and provides opportunities that may have been closed off to people previously.
Accessibility of Virtual and Augmented Reality: Dr. Chris Creed, Birmingham City University
Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) holds significant potential to transform how we work, learn, and engage with others. However, there has been a lack of work exploring the challenges associated with these technologies for disabled people. In particular, it is unclear the extent to which significant future uptake of this technology across the wider population could have a negative impact and further exacerbate the digital divide.
As such, there is an urgent need to understand the potential of these technologies to both support disabled people, but also to investigate the wider implications around the proliferation of AR and VR. Chris will describe how researchers at BCU are investigating the opportunities around AR/VR to support disabled people, such as those across the spectrum of visual, physical, auditory, and cognitive impairments.
Delivering SmartHome solutions: Rebecca Cooper and Trevor Edwards, Portland College
Portland College will present an overview of the implementation of their SMARTHome facility. This uses voice activation such as Alexa, Google and Bixby to aid independence, communication and wellbeing. Learners can control a wide range of devices from lighting through to washing machines, vacuum cleaners and fridges.
Partnership working, through an Multi Disciplinary Team approach was integral to the success of this project and included input from IT services, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Education, Care, Estates, Finance. This approach demonstrates how partnership working within college and externally, has ensured that learners have the opportunity to meet their independence, communication and wellbeing outcomes.
See the full line up so far and book now, Karten members are entitled to a third off the full price so just £100.
Assistive Technology Training – from September 2022
Looking to update your skills and knowledge? Monthly training is available for just £50 (+VAT) for Karten members.
- 22nd Sep (1pm): Supporting Learners’ Assistive Technology at all stages of their college journey
- 4th Oct (1pm): Built in Access
- 30th Nov (1pm): Voice Control for Accessibility
- 8th Dec (1pm): Assistive Technology for physical access
- 18th Jan (1pm): Emerging Technologies for Accessibility
Further details are available and training can be booked on our events calendar!
Champions and Consultations
We are still here over the summer! So if you haven’t booked a consultation yet or signed up to our TechAbility AT champions programme then why not chat to us about how we can help? No need for any previous knowledge and low demands on time. All part of being a Karten member with no additional costs. Just email techability@natspec.org.uk and we’ll do the rest.
BETT Advisory Board
We are happy to announce that BETT have appointed TechAbility’s Fil McIntyre to their advisory board, this will bring a great steer to including accessible technology to Europe’s largest EdTech event.
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- Featured in the Karten Summer 2022 Newsletter
- This article is listed in the following subject areas: TechAbility