Home Learning Support

Assistive Technology (AT) For All

This document has been prepared by Jisc subject specialist Rohan Slaughter to assist those new to supporting students with assistive technology. Note that the Natspec TechAbility team has also supported the creation of this document. This document has been produced quickly, it is not aiming to be complete, and will be iterated.

TechAbility – Aiding learning from home

Resources useful to staff, students and parents / carers who are moving to remote learning for young people with SEND. Whilst many learners will be continuing to attend college, inevitably some will need to be supported to continue access their learning at home.

• https://www.techability.org.uk/resources/aiding-learning-from-home/

Techability – Useful Resources

Phones, tablet and computers have loads of built-in features which can help learners to read, write and communicate. TechAbility partnered with ETF to produce engaging resources which make sure technology is as accessible as possible.

• https://www.techability.org.uk/resources/

Assistive Technology (AT) – a rapid introduction

An introduction to assistive technology presentation by Jisc subject specialist Rohan Slaughter.

Assistive Technology Training courses and resources

This document on Assistive Technology Training courses and resources by Jisc subject specialist Rohan Slaughter.

ALN Home School

The ALN Home School - this website is designed to benefit parents and carers of young people who have additional learning needs who may have to be home schooled during the Covid-19 outbreak.

• https://sites.google.com/bridgend.ac.uk/alnhomeschool

5 e-safeTs video

The 5Ts of E-Safety - Technology, Time, Take Care, Tricky and Tell

• https://karten-network.org.uk/esafety/the-5-e-safets/

87 Energy-Busting Indoor Games & Activities For Kids

These activities will not only fight boredom but will also challenge their minds and muscles – strengthening their bodies and releasing all that pent-up energy.

• https://whatmomslove.com/kids/active-indoor-games-activities-for-kids-to-burn-energy/

A Complete Beginners Guide to Zoom

How to Use Zoom Online Meetings – Setting up an account and hosting a meeting tutorial

• https://youtu.be/xcEXn4mnyLM

Audible – Stories Help

For as long as schools are closed, Audible offer kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.

• https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

AutonoMe

AutonoMe offer a FREE version of AutonoMe to any vulnerable person in the UK. This resource contains large number of pre-recorded videos for daily living tasks around the home.

• https://www.autono.me.uk/

BBC Bitesize

Bitesize is the BBC's free online study support resource for school-age pupils in the United Kingdom. It is designed to aid pupils in both schoolwork and, for older pupils, exams.

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

BBC Teach

Whether you're at home or at school, you can use BBC Teach for free. The BBC website is home to thousands of free curriculum-mapped videos, arranged by age-group and subject.

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach

Beyond Words – Beating the Virus

Beyond Words is a charity that provides books and training to support people who find pictures easier to understand than words. The Beating the Virus book an evolving resource. Now for free for anyone who is in urgent need. Now available in colour

• https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/beating-the-virus

BorrowBox

With BorrowBox, your library in one app. Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks free from your library using our BorrowBox app.

• https://www.borrowbox.com

Busythings

Fun Educational Games for Kids

• https://www.busythings.co.uk

Chatter Pack – List of Free Resources

A list of FREE Speech, Language, communication (SLCN) and Special educational needs and disability (SEND) resources for schools and parent/carers.

• https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-free-speech-language-communication-and-send-resources-for-schools-and-parent-carers

ChooseIt! Maker 3

ChooseIt! Maker 3. Free software to create, edit and play personalised learning materials that can be used securely online and then download them to your iPad or Android tablet!

• https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/shop/online-software/chooseit-maker-3

Clicker@home

Crick Software offer any school that is affected by coronavirus closures free access for every pupil and teacher on their home devices.

• https://www.cricksoft.com/uk/clicker/clicker-at-home

Cloud Web Apps

Claro Software Cloud Web Apps available free to use for now for anyone who needs help while the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. These apps can be used in any modern browser on any device – iPads, Windows laptops, Chromebooks, Android phones.

• https://www.clarosoftware.com/cloud-web-apps/

Coronavirus Vocabulary

There's a lot unusual words being used daily, such as 'pandemic', 'flattening the curve', and 'quarantine'. People with learning disabilities might not fully understand the meanings and these words can sound quite scary, adding to their anxieties.

Homefield College have created this video to help explain to students what these terms mean in the context of the coronavirus. With the hope this will help aid their understanding of the current situation and also add to their vocabulary - as every new word brings a learning opportunity.

Parents and carers may find it useful to pause after each definition, so that students can process the information and ask any questions about each word or phrase.

• https://youtu.be/0EhAKZJxyeM

Covid-19 Social Story

A symbol supported Covid-19 Social Story

Covid-19 Staying Safe

Starfish Labs have developed an app to help people with learning difficulties and disabilities to understand the changes in guidance due to the pandemic. The development of the app has been part funded by the Welsh Government, with content accessible in English and Welsh. The SEND content has been developed in collaboration with Derwen College, an Ofsted Outstanding rated Special Educational Needs college in the UK.

Covid-19 Staying Safe features simplified guidance on ‘What is Coronavirus or Covid-19’, different types of face covering and how to wear them correctly, how to look after your mask, when and how to wash your hands and use hand sanitiser in line with NHS and UK Government guidance, and prompts to help users keep surfaces and their home clean and sanitised.

Many people with SEND don’t identify with the generic guidance on Covid-19 regulations. 

This app overcomes that issue by allowing a carer, teacher, parent, or other ‘admin’ user to create your own content relevant to the user’s needs and level of understanding. You can upload individual steps to guide users in any aspect of life during the pandemic to explain them in simple terms. For example, you can use photos or videos of their own types of masks, familiar environment and local surroundings, with written or spoken content at a level they will understand, to make the key points and guidance accessible for their own personal needs.

• https://starfishlabs.co.uk/products/

Covid-19 wellbeing easy read

Information about Covid-19 in an easy read format.

Crick Software

Crick Software are offering free access to their products for pupils and teachers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

• https://www.cricksoft.com/uk

Databridge GOAT

A free service made available to help teachers, parents and students during the Covid-19 outbreak, to continue learning whilst being at home.

• https://goathq.co.uk
• https://youtu.be/GGXl2FidVCc

E-Safety

A Karten Network Sub-site containing the content originally hosted on the East Midlands E-Safety Project website. Resources and information on e-Safety and learning disability for, Students, Parents and carers, and Staff.

• https://karten-network.org.uk/esafety/

EasyReader App

The EasyReader App is designed for readers with dyslexia, low vision and blindness to enable accessible access to browse and read books and newspapers libraries. Download the free EasyReader app for Android or iOS and submerge yourself in 100,000s of books you can read.

• https://yourdolphin.com/en-gb/products/individuals/easyreader-app

Free Communication Tools for Patients with COVID-19

Important resources to help anyone ill with the coronavirus to communication should they have significant speech difficulties or need to be intubated.

• https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/free-communication-tools-for-patients-with-covid-19/

Free science lessons

@MEL_Science, a leading science education company, has launched free online science lessons with practical experiments that students can carry out at home.

• https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/44280-free-science-lessons-from-mel-science

Free webinars to support online learning

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is running a series of free, online webinars starting on 24 March to support colleagues across the Further Education (FE) and Training sector who are now working from home to support students.

• https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/news/new-series-of-free-webinars-to-support-online-learning-in-a-time-of-crisis/

Google for Education – Explore distance learning resources

For educators and IT administrators preparing for potential school closures — or currently facing them — Google For Education provide a few ways to engage students through distance learning.

• https://edu.google.com/latest-news/covid-19-support-resources/

Hand Hygiene Social Story

A social story on hand hygiene

Health Promotion during Coronavirus

Social story about promoting health during Coronavirus - courtesy of Trinity College Dublin

HelpKidzLearn

HelpKidzLearn - the home of accessible software, enabling children of all abilities to play, develop and achieve.

• https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/

HomeLearningUK

'HomeLearningUK' is being led by educators who have come together to offer time and expertise to support colleagues, parents and students in the UK and beyond. In light of the Covid19 pandemic and potential school closure this website is designed to share ideas, solutions, plans and support.

• https://homelearninguk.weebly.com/parents.html

Lead Scotland – Free Online Learning Options

A collection of websites, apps and information about how you can continue to learn online during this time. These are suitable for everyone, with lots of different options, from improving your English and Maths skills, to specialist courses designed by leading universities.

• https://www.lead.org.uk/free-online-learning-options-during-the-coronavirus/

Librivox

Free public domain audiobooks read by volunteers from around the world.

• https://librivox.org

List of online education resources for home education

The Department for Education have brought together an initial list of online educational resources to help children to learn at home.

These websites have been identified by some of the country’s leading educational experts and offer a wide range of support and resources for pupils of all ages.

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#contents

List of online education resources for Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

An initial list of SEND resources compiled by the Department for Education with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity.

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send

Microsoft Teams for Teaching and Learning

A presentation on how to use Microsoft Teams for Teaching and Learning by Ian Woolner - Solution Specialist for UK Higher Education

Microsoft Teams Student Guide /View. Students, Pupil & Parents Remote Teaching & Learning

This YouTube tutorial is a student introduction guide that teachers, parents and college staff can use to share with students so they can learn and understand the most common features of Microsoft Teams. It also gives a student view for teachers to see how Teams looks for their students.

• https://youtu.be/aO9LE6ZKnUM

Microsoft Teams tutorial

Teachblend takes a look at how to use Microsoft Teams for remote and in-class teaching and learning. Learn how to use Microsoft Teams for sharing, collaborating, teaching remotely and video discussions with students. The guide also discusses how teams can be used by nonteaching support staff for remote meetings, discussion & collaboration of files.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvZ8St2Md9g&feature=youtu.be

My Story About Pandemics and the Coronavirus

A Social story for ASD Learners about the coronavirus.

• https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf

PhonicsPlay

PhonicsPlay available for free to use during the period of Social isolation. Children can use this website at home without their parents needing to subscribe. To access the resources all you need to do is log on using the details on the PhonicsPlay home page.

• https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk

Planning for coronavirus

Explains why AT should be used, what AT actually is, and how you can start with undertaking assessments for AT provisioning. Provides an overview of AT tools inclusive of more mainstream AT, such as that is ‘baked into’ the technology we all use. Also covers the more specialist AT such as AAC (alternative augmentative communication) and eye-gaze.

• https://coronavirus.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2020/03/25/assistive-technology-for-all/

Quizizz

Free gamified quizzes for every subject to play in class and at home. Pick an existing quiz or create your own for review, formative assessment, and more.

• https://quizizz.com

Rosehill School – Ideas for in the house

Symbol supported learning materials covering a variety of topics.

• https://www.therosehillschool.com/primary/?fbclid=IwAR1GYW7N2sP6ZmJ4aw7W-b809gilm7Fq_CDXzmS0RGSXOVdlCGcPxz4NLpE

Security tips every teacher and professor needs to know about Zoom

With the Coronavirus pandemic forcing millions of people to work, learn, and socialise from home, Zoom conferences are becoming a default method to connect. This article provides a summary for people working in education on the safer use of Zoom.

• https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/04/security-tips-every-work-from-homer-needs-to-know-about-zoom-right-now/

SENict Resource Portal

A collection of accessible activities and support materials by Ian Bean

• https://www.ianbean.co.uk/senict-members-resource-portal/

Senictsoftware

SENICT Software online is a unique website which provides carefully designed, highly motivating teaching applications for young people with special educational needs who are learning to interact with a computer with assistive technology devices such as switches, touchscreens, mouse and eye gaze together with all of the tools and resources you'll need to assess and measure their progress.

• https://www.senictsoftware.com

Sensory apps

Sensory App House creates apps for stimulation, relaxation, fun, digital art and speech therapy. Many of the apps are cause and effect style apps, using digital techniques developed over time. The apps are mostly for free.

• http://www.sensoryapphouse.com/

Sensory Ideas

A collection of easy to make recipes for sensory play courtesy of Ian Bean

• https://ianbean.co.uk/Downloads/sensoryideas.pdf

Special education and inclusive learning – Remote learning

• https://inclusiveteach.com/about-special-education/

Symbol Resources for COVID19

As the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus Pandemic has developed, many people have been freely sharing wonderful resources which they have created to support learners they are working with. This blog is a round-up of symbol resources we’ve come across which are related to supporting learners to understand COVID19.

• https://www.callscotland.org.uk/blog/symbol-resources-for-covid19/

TechAbility – Microsoft Accessibility: Office 365 Online

A webinar presented by Microsoft’s UK SEND & Dyslexia Consultant, Arran Smith. talks about all the free tools and features built-in to Office 365 online for those with accessibility needs.

• https://youtu.be/QphgBc131o0

TechAbility – Tech Access for Learners Using ‘Mainstream’ Assistive Technology

TechAbility webinar focusing on learners with less complex needs, focusing on online platforms, digital resources available and much more. It includes built in accessibility or literacy support tools / Office, Google, iOS learning tools etc.

• https://youtu.be/0u7hSJ9vgTY

TechAbility – Tech access for learners with complex needs / disabilities

Neil and Fil give you an overview of resources, solutions and considerations for learners studying from home or isolation. This covers how to get support for Assistive Technology, digital resources available and include users of complex AT such as AAC devices.

PLEASE NOTE: some additions/corrections to the information given in the webinar:
Choose It Maker 3 is £6.99 per MONTH (not year) for home users.
HelpKidzLearn have now released a monthly subscription for home users for £6.99 per MONTH. OR colleges can take out a “Short Period Subscription” for £1 per student per WEEK so they can access HKL from home.

• https://youtu.be/LlW9VdTz1as

The AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom

AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom. This "classroom" offers a large collection of learning resources, which are designed to support implementation of any communication device that is based on core words.

• https://www.assistiveware.com/blog/assistiveware-core-word-classroom?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=aw

Tobii Dynavox – Coronavirus Communication Support Materials

To help educators, parents, and learners during this time of need, the Tobii Dynavox team has gathered our resources and created Coronavirus materials within them.

• https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en-GB/coronavirus-resources/

Twinkl – Home Learning support

Free home learning and school closure packs. Whether you're a teacher, parent or home educator Twinkl have put together a simple, step-by-step guide for you to use. This guide is not designed to override or replace any official guidance, but is intended to advise on using the Twinkl website during this period.

• https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/covid19-school-closures

Wheels of Apps and other guidance for learners with Additional Support Needs

These posters show a range of apps which are available for learners with Additional Support Needs. Including:

• iPad Apps for Learners with Complex Additional Support Needs
• Android Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs
• Android Apps for Learners with Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties
• iPad Apps for Learners with Dyscalculia/Numeracy Difficulties
• Using Windows 10 'Accessibility' Tools to Support Learners with Visual Difficulties

• https://www.callscotland.org.uk/Common-Assets/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Wheel_0f_Apps_V1_0.pdf

Widgit Online

Widgit Online enables you to Create, print, share and translate symbol materials online.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Widgit have added a range of new symbols Coronavirus Symbols to help you create resources around the subject. A free 21 day trial of Widgit Online is Available.

• https://widgitonline.com