DART2 – Disseminating
Assistive Roles and Technology
- a JISC ADVANCE FE & Skills
Project
Developing an Assistive
Technology focused role and its
integration into the College
structure
DART2 Project Workshop Day 2
Welcome to Day2:
Developing an Assistive Technology
focused role and its integration into
the College structure :
College Development
Network, Argyll Court, Stirling
30th April 2013
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Running Order
09:30 Arrival / refreshments
10:00 Introduction & program of events (Rohan Slaughter /
Sandy MacLean)
10:05 Definition of the Assistive Technologist (Rohan Slaughter
/ Trevor Mobbs)
10:30 Examples of the JD/PS for this role & integration into a
College - Example one University of Strathclyde: Carol
Howieson / Margaret McKay
11:00 Break
11:15 Examples of the JD/PS for this role & integration into a
College - Example two (GFE): Runshaw College (Richard
Maclachlan)
12:00 Examples of the JD/PS for this role & integration into a
College - Example three (ISC): National Star College (Andrew
Sparkes)
12:30 Lunch
Running Order
13:30 Funding the Assistive Technologist (RS)
14:00 College Structure and relationships between teams
(Rohan Slaughter / Trevor Mobbs)
14:30 Training for the Assistive Technologist Role (inc.
CPD journey of TM/AS/RS/RM and Signposting to other
organisations
15:00 BRITE - Training opportunities and equipment loan
bank (Fil McIntyre)
15:30 Workshop: review of the day / things to take back
to colleges (Rohan Slaughter)
15:45 Depart
Very brief backstory
 2010/12 DART1, an LSIS funded project
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Beaumont College and National Star College worked with 8
colleges, in a ‘deep support’ capacity
Beaumont and Star are ISC’s : Independent Specialist
Colleges
One of those DART1 colleges was Henshaws
 Now we are running DART2, a JISC Advance funded
project:
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Beaumont College, National Star College, Henshaws College,
Colleges Scotland, NATSPEC, JISC all working together
10 deep support colleges, 2 in Scotland
3 workshops, delivered twice, once in Birmingham, once in
Stirling
This is the second workshop session
Questions to think about
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As the day progresses . . .
As at the end of the day . . .
There will be a test
. . . . more questions . . .
 1. What was new to you from today?
 2. Do you want to create an assistive technologist role
in your College?
 3. How do you plan to do this? Who do you want to
talk to when you get back? And about what?
Developing an Assistive
Technology focused role
and its integration into the
College structure
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Definition of the Assistive
Technologist
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Definition of the Assistive
Technologist
 The title ‘assistive technologist’ (AT) has a number of
different interpretations:
 One is Clinical, and refers to ‘clinical rehab engineers’
 This is common in the NHS, and in one College (Treloar)
 The DART project uses a somewhat different definition:
 Have a look at the sample job description, person spec and role
profile (from Beaumont).
 This job is more education focussed, and as such the post
holders:
 Ideally should have a teaching qualification, minimum
7307/7407/PTTLS or equivalent, and preferably a PGCE/cert ed
 Be educated to degree level in an IT related subject or have equivalent
skills and knowledge gained from a suitable setting
 We want ‘people’ people who are technically literate
Definition of the Assistive
Technologist
 LSIS Technologist Case Study Video
https://vimeo.com/63899009
Definition of the Assistive
Technologist
• The Assistive Technologist
– This role was developed during the Wheeltop Project at
Beaumont College
– Funded by BT from 2007-2010
– Integrate off the shelf Tablet PC technology in place of dedicated
communication aids
– Reduced the cost of the hardware and increased flexibility of
solutions
– The technologist role was the most important development from
the Wheeltop Project
Definition of the Assistive
Technologist
 The Assistive Technologist
 Sits at the interface of people and technology
 Works as part of a trans-disciplinary team, which includes OT,
SLT, teachers, social care staff
 A new ‘hybrid’ role that does not replace any existing role
 The technologist becomes the ‘chief integrator’ of the assistive
technology solution provided to the student
A Day In The Life
 Sector scanning – what’s new today?
 Carry out IT Access Assessment
 Attend AAC COP meeting. Demo new software package.
 Student Eye Gaze Appointment (with SLT)
 Troubleshoot communication aid
 Support Interactive Art session
 Meet with OT to discuss switch siting options for student on
caseload
 Create Grid 2 resource for use in Citizenship session
 Attend JISC Webinar on Tablets & Inclusive Learning
 Speak to Network Administrators to address Kindle issue
 Record work in AT journal
Case Study 1: University of
Strathclyde: Carol Howieson
/ Margaret McKay
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Case Study 2: Richard
Maclachlan, Runshaw
College, General Further
Education College
DART Project Workshop Day 2
The AT role at Runshaw College
 http://prezi.com/2ihee6upf79c/dart-2-day/
Case Study 3: Andrew
Sparkes, National Star
College, Independent
Specialist College
DART Project Workshop Day 2
The AT role at National Star College
The National Star College is a provider of specialist further
education, training and personal development for young
people aged 16 to 25 with complex physical disabilities,
acquired brain injuries and associated sensory, learning,
medical, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The AT role at National Star College
Job Description:
 Organisation responsibilities:
 Reports to – Studies Manager
 Liaises with – IT Access Advanced Practitioner
 Supervises – Education facilitators & Volunteers
 What is the main purpose of the IT Access Developers role:
 To research and develop IT Access technologies
 To provide IT Access solutions to meet the requirements of
learners within the college, using both hardware and software
adaptations and technologies.
 To liaise with inter-disciplinary teams e.g. Speech & Language
Therapy and Occupational Therapy.
The AT role at National Star College
 Primary tasks:
 To work with the IT Access Advanced Practitioner to develop
standardised assessments procedures for all students requiring
support to access a computer
 To research and develop “in house” solutions and adaptations to
meet the specific requirements of learners. To develop multi-disciplinary solutions, that meet requirements of learners with
profound and multiple disabilities.
 To keep up-to-date with the latest technologies – hardware and
software e.g. computer access equipment devices, voice
activated software, web access technologies and software to
support literacy and communication e.g. symbol software.
 To conduct external research and development to support the
college to maintain excellence in the field of IT Access
The AT role at National Star College
 Primary tasks continued:
 When appropriate to promote accessing IT through the use of
Alternative Augmented Communication (AAC).
 To work with students one to one and via Workshops sessions to
support students in developing their independent access.
 To establish and maintain a stimulating learning environment.
 To maintain professional records, to meet college and course
requirements
 To produce suitable reports on student progress in accordance
with the college and requirements.
 To implement and deliver staff training in the area of IT Access
technologies.
 To contribute effectively to appropriate course teams and to
communicate and disseminate professional information.
 Etc….
The AT role at National Star College
Person Specification:
 Experience (Essential)
 Working with people with disabilities/learning difficulties
 Proven knowledge and experience working with IT Access
Hardware equipment/devices and Software technologies
 Promotion of Inclusive Learning
 Research and presentation skills to represent college at external
regional and national events
 Experience (Desirable)
 Experience of specialist teaching environment for young adults
with complex disabilities and/or difficulties
 Qualifications (Essential)
 Relevant IT Qualifications
 Qualifications (Desirable)
 Level 1 Teaching Certificate
The AT role at National Star College
 Skills
 Understand the concept of inclusive learning and be able to apply
its principles
 Communicate effectively (written, oral and interpersonal)
 Use information technology confidently and competently
 Personal attributes
 Have respect and understanding of the needs of learners,
families and other stakeholders and work effectively with them
 Be proactive and able to work to meet deadlines
 Sense of humour and diplomacy skills
 Good time management skills
Lunch!
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Funding the Assistive
Technologist
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Funding the Assistive Technologist
 This has not been an easy process, ‘top slicing’ student fee income
may be possible, but BC has ‘made our own opportunities’.
 Sources of funding we have used:
 LSIS
 DART1 (Flexibility and Innovation Fund)
 Regional Collaboration funds (x2)
 Design and Delivery of ISC focussed e-leadership courses
 TechDIS
 InBook and other smaller projects
 JISC
 DART2 (FE and Skills Program)
 JISC Infonet pilot work
 Commercial partners
 BT (The Wheeltop Project and Connect to Control)
Funding the Assistive Technologist
 This has not been an easy process
 Sources of funding we have used:
 Paid Consultancy
 Large GFE
 Universities
 Trusts
 Sir John Fisher Foundation (small grants)
 The Karten Trust
 Other:
 Technology Strategy Board (TSB) – small projects
 NIACE – Molenet
 Becta – Technology Exemplar Network (both rounds)
 Over 5 years, this adds up to just under £1,000,000
 This year 60% of the cost of running the BC tech team was
directly offset by income other than the student fee
College structure and
relationships between
teams
DART Project Workshop Day 2
College structure and relationships
between teams
 The AT role stands or falls based on:
 Relationships between teams
 The College Structure
 Relationship of the IT team with
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Teachers
Therapists (where present)
Supporting staff
People in the AT role
 Extracts from the NATSPEC report
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This report will be released shortly by JISC / NATSPEC
It will be hosted by JISC
Linked to by DART site and others
Emails with the link will also be sent out by
 JISC, JISC RSC’s, NATSPEC, JISC TechDIS etc.
CPD opportunities for
Assistive Technologists
DART Project Workshop Day 2
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 Ace Centre training: http://acecentre.org.uk/training
 Day courses
 Accredited courses: http://acecentre.org.uk/assistive-technologyunit
 MMU courses: http://acecentre.org.uk/cpd-opportunities
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 The BRITE initiative (Scotland based, online offer to
anywhere): http://www.brite.ac.uk/about.html
 http://www.brite.ac.uk/courses
 http://brite.adobeconnect.com/p4d2l32ee53/
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 University Opportunities, start with FAST:
http://fastuk.org/services/trainingcourses.php
 Trevor Mobbs of BC is on this MSc course at Coventry:
 http://fastuk.org/services/courseview.php?id=125
 http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/hdti/Pages/index.aspx
 New MSc in AAC at Dundee:
 http://www.dundee.ac.uk/psychology/study/masters/mscaac/
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 The technology companies:
 AAC:
 Smartbox: http://www.smartboxat.com/support/training/
 Dynavox: http://uk.dynavoxtech.com/training/
 Liberator: http://www.liberator.co.uk/aac-training
 Other AT:
 Inclusive Technology: http://www.inclusive.co.uk/training-andconsultancy
 And specific software opportunities . . .
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 JISC
 JISC TechDIS:
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Events: http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/events
Resources: http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/resources
http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/investinyourself
http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/tbx
 JISC RSC’s:
 http://www.jisc.ac.uk/rsc
 Find out who your accessibility and inclusion advisor is
Inclusivity CPD Jisc RSC
Scotland:
Scoop.it!
http://www.scoop.it/t/inclusive-elearning
http://www.scoop.it/t/inclusive-marketing
http://www.scoop.it/t/tablet-devices-livinglearning-productivity
http://www.scoop.it/t/ebooks-and-accessibility
RSC Scotland Showcase
Case studies highlighting effective practice from
FE/HE in Scotland
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/
 Learning & Teaching
 Access & Inclusion
 Assessment
 Learner & Support Services
 Technology & Business Systems
 Regional Collaboration
RSC Scotland Inclusion Blog
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/inclusion/
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 THE DART PROJECT WORKSHOPS – Day3: 6th June,
Beaumont College
 This will be a hands on session mainly designed for
practitioners such as teachers / tutors, learning support
workers/assistants and people in an AT role.
 The topics on offer include:
 The free ‘My Study Bar’ / ‘Edu Apps’ (AM)
 The Grid 2 for computer and curriculum access (AM)
 Clicker 6 (PM)
 The use of tablet PC’s (iPad, Android, Windows) by people
with disabilities (PM)
 NOTE: ENGLISH DATE FULL, SCOTTISH DATE (Argyll
Court, Stirling on 12th June 2013) HAS PLACES:
http://events.scotlandscolleges.ac.uk/events/show/4591
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 Informal opportunities:
 ALT mail list
 JISC mail lists (ask your JISC RSC advisors)
 Karten Network Google Group
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists
 Web sites for self directed CPD:
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http://www.scope.org.uk/help-and-information/communication/aac
http://www.callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk/Home/
http://acecentre.org.uk/information-sheets-publications
http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/resources/elibrary
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets
http://speechbubble.org.uk/
 Specific Software Tutorials eg:
 http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/tools/clicker/training.aspx
 http://www.youtube.com/user/SmartboxAT
CPD opportunities for Assistive
Technologists – CPD Journey
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Rohan Slaughter
Trevor Mobbs
Andrew Sparkes
Richard Maclachlan
BRITE - Training
opportunities and equipment
loan bank (Fil McIntyre)
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Workshop: review of the
day / things to take back
to colleges
DART Project Workshop Day 2
Questions to finish
 1. What was new to you from today?
 2. Do you want to create an assistive technologist role
in your College?
 3. How do you plan to do this? Who do you want to
talk to when you get back? And about what?
THANK YOU
 SAFE JOURNEY HOME
 Email us:
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Rohan.slaughter@scope.org.uk
Trevor.Mobbs@scope.org.uk
Mike.Thrussell@henshaws.org.uk
asparkes@natstar.ac.uk
Margaret.McKay@glasgow.ac.uk
kh@rsc-northwest.ac.uk
Maclachlan.R@Runshaw.ac.uk
 Follow us:
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@rohanslaughter
@mikethrussell
@axessibility (Andrew Sparkes)
@Mobbst
@FilMcIntyre (BRITE)
@kevhickeyuk (JISC RSC NW)
@Mags_McKay (JISC RSC Scotland)
@Sporygog (Richard Maclachlan)