The document discusses resources and technologies for inclusivity in education. It provides examples of projects from Henshaws College and The Sheffield College that are working to develop accessible technologies. It then discusses what constitutes a "reasonable adjustment" according to disability law and how institutions need to be proactive in ensuring disabled students can fully participate. The document concludes by highlighting some tools and technologies that can help with inclusion, such as text-to-speech, image communication apps, note-taking apps, and mind mapping software.

1. Chris Barber
JISC Regional Support Centre for Yorkshire and Humber
www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/YH

2. What we’re going to be looking at
• Regional round up
• What constitutes a “reasonable adjustment”?
• Resources for inclusivity
http://inclusivity.rsc-yh.ac.uk/

3. Regional round up
Henshaws College – Mike Thrussell
ACCESS: Images
Students finding images for posters and projects can find it difficult to save and/or copy images
for use due to the need for right clicking and selecting an option. Using the Google images API,
a new interface will be developed that would offer a simplified method to find images online for
use in documents or projects. This platform would have the ability to easily print or copy
images from the Internet.
ACCESS: Feedback
This new bespoke evaluation platform would offer symbol supported methods for learners to
have an independent voice; answering tutor composed questions using assistive technologies.
Data can be easily compiled and presented, saving both time and printed resources. Students
with literacy difficulties will be supported using text-to-speech technologies.
ACCESS: Mail
This platform would offer symbol supported methods for learners to setup and use their own
personal email account using any assistive computer access methods; specifically aimed at
simplifying the content for screen-reader use. For learners requiring literacy support who are
not using screen-readers, high-quality text-to-speech technologies will be employed to read out
emails.
ACCESS: YouTube (Version 2)
In order to include this successful resource to be included in the ACCESS: Technology suite
ACCESS: YouTube will be updated to match in style and link to the other web resources in the
suite.

4. Regional round up
The Sheffield College Games to Learn

5. Context
Whoever is "not allowing" assistive technology had better
have a good alternative reasonable adjustment that is
acceptable to the learner otherwise they could find
themselves attracting unwelcome publicity as well as a
rather large settlement claim.
Too many disabled learners still accept poor service and
unacceptable barriers because they are not aware of the
range of adjustments that could be made, the technologies
that could be used or the procurement policies that ought
to be in place to ensure that no organisation wide systems
are purchased unless accessibility has been considered.

6. The Law
Reasonable adjustments need to be made to ensure
disabled persons do not suffer substantial disadvantage.
………..institutions need to be anticipatory and proactive in
encouraging disabled persons to participate in the
education provision and the various activities of each
institution…..

7. The Law
It is unlawful to discriminate against a disabled student
•In respect to student services provided or offered.
Student services has a broad meaning but will include
teaching and learning, examinations and access to
learning resources including digital resources and
facilities.

8. Quick check
Do you:--
•Ensure all your documents are fully accessible and
provide these in alternative formats, if requested?
• E.g. do you use style sheets in Word, speaker notes in
PowerPoint, provide transcripts or a brief text summary of
video material
•Ensure all your information is accessible by portable
devices 24/7?
•Offer support to tutors or obtain support to make
material accessible? Link to JiscTechdis
•Offer support in examinations?
•Make “reasonable adjustments”?

9. Reasonable adjustments
Depends on many factors:-
•Cost and effectiveness
•The nature of the institution, its size and resources
available
•However…….cost must be balanced against rights and is
not a defence in law, especially if a person suffers a
“substantial disadvantage” - clearly open to
interpretation.
Link to JiscLegal
So….the main consideration of this
session is what constitutes a
reasonable adjustment. Please feel
free to comment at any time.

10. Link to the above document
www.jisclegal.ac.uk

11. Context
But….what are the real motivators for inclusion?
•Achievement and retention
•Desire to ensure that all students have the best
learning experience
•Personalised learning
•Reputation
•Care for the student
•Fear of the law? Well….maybe but on a personal
level, probably not.

12. Scenarios
Sarah has moderate visual impairment which means that she
needs a magnifier to read documents and needs a similar
approach for reading material online. She recently arrived at the
college from a school and wants to study on a Health and Social
Care course. The school supplied her with a large and rather
cumbersome magnifier which she did not bring with her.
What are the issues and how would you potentially deal with
them?

13. Scenarios
Paul has been diagnosed with mild autistic spectrum disorder
(Asperger’s Syndrome) and wishes to study A level physics and
maths. His grades at school would allow him to do this. His
academic performance overall at school was above average in
his chosen subjects but he did not form friendships, except on a
limited basis and is very much a “loner”
What are the issues and how would you potentially deal with
them?

14. Tools and Technologies for Inclusion
• Sources of information
• Jisc TechDis – www.jisctechdis.ac.uk
• Jisc Legal – www.jisclegal.ac.uk
• Jisc Infonet- www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk
• Viewing resources
• QR Codes
• Scoop.It
• Robobraille
• Blogs etc
• Xerte
• Using mobile technology
• Pearltrees
• Apps
• Built in accessibility features

15. Technological fixes

16. QR Codes
http://www.qrstuff.com/
http://blog.dundee.ac.uk/ac

17. Scoop.it

18. Scoop.it

19. Converting text files to sound files
http://robobraille.org/

20. Converting text files to sound files
http://robobraille.org/

21. Assistive Technology Blog
http://asstech.wordpress.com/

22. Assistive Technology Blog
http://davefoord.wordpress.com/tag/accessibility/

23. Xerte

24. Xerte

25. Xerte
http://xerte5.techdis.palepurple.co.uk/

26. Content
Pearltrees – www.pearltrees.com

27. An overview of apps for inclusivity

28. Tablet Apps for Accessibility and
Inclusion
Kevin Hickey

29. Image Communication
• Tobii SonoFlex
• Free & paid for
versions
available
• Wide range of
words/symbols
• Use camera to
create own
symbols

30. Image Communication
 Grid Player
 Uses grids from
The Grid 2
 Comes with
some basic
symbol sets
 Works well with
additional
speaker

31. Image communication
MyChoicePad
Makaton Symbols & sign
language videos
 TaptoTalk
 Wide range of devices

32. Text To Speech
• Predictable
• Symbols, keyboard or
handwritten
• Send messages to
facebook & twitter

33. Text to Speech Verbally
SpeakIT
Ivona Pronunciation
Pro

34. Built-In Text to Speech
• VoiceOver  Text-To-speech

35. Dictation/ speech to text
Dragon Dictate
Speech to Text iSpeech
Dictation

36. Note taking with audio
AudioNote
SoundNote

37. Note taking/Storage Dropbox
BlueBox
EverNote

38. MindMaps
iThoughts
MindJet Cogimap

39. Skitch
• Allows the user to annotate photos, sketches,
screenshots etc.
• Useful for taking photos and asking questions
• Questions (e.g. where am I?) can be emailed to a
tutor or sent via Twitter or Facebook.
• Save in EverNote for viewing later – the same
people have developed it

41. • Allows the user to use genuine MS
Office to create or edit documents
• Works with your DropBox account
• View and edit PowerPoint slides
• View virtually any type of file and send in true PP mode (not as a .pdf
via e.mail emulation)
• Automatically saves documents
• View and edit documents on any
device

42. • Useful for capturing
ideas and writing notes
as they come to you
• Organise your work
and export as
document or other file
• Useful for managing
and structuring project
work

43. • Reveals old photos near your current location
• Overlays them onto your screen
• You can add your photos using your iPhone
camera
• Explore the
history of an area
through your
iPhone using the
in built GPS

44. Chris Barber
Jisc Regional Support Centre for
Yorkshire and Humber
support@rsc-yh.ac.uk
0113 343 1000
www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/YH

45. The presentation is available from:
http://www.slideshare.net/cbarber/