Creating apps for Disability Services, in particular the Assistive Technology Officer aspect of the service.

1. Integrating Apps
as key technologies in third level
Assistive Technology Practice
Trevor Boland
Assistive Technology Officer
Trevor.boland@dit.ie

2. ‘The presence of mobile devices has
exploded on college campuses over the
past five years, though just 19 percent of
students say they use tablets and
ubiquitous smartphones for educational
purposes.’
Carter, 2013

3. ‘The social context in which learning takes place has also
changed and in ways that were not foreseen in the early part of
the 21st century.
Learners are increasingly dependent on technology to help
them fit learning into their complex, demanding lives.
Ownership of personal technologies – from computers to
mobile devices – is now pervasive, and use of the internet,
including Web 2.0 technologies, is commonplace.’
(JISC, 2009)

5. Contents of Presentation
- Some background information
- My target audience
- The functions of the App
- How the app was created
- Further changes to the app

6. • DIT Disability Service
• Assistive Technology Officer
• Design and Art
• Sp. Education- Primary and Secondary

7. The DIT disability service alone there are approximately 800
students, of which the majority have Specific Learning
Difficulties (SPLDs).

8. Reasons for creating an AT service app:
- High Smart phone ownership
- Simplifies student access to AT information
- Widening options regarding app creation
- Links work related sites to App
- One stop shop for AT related links and information
- Opportunity to develop new skills

13. Create Cost Positives Challenges

14. Create Cost Positives Challenges

15. Informing students about the app

17. App studio pic- pros and cons

18. Future Plans
- Widen student Users
- Universal Design
- User Testing
- Prepare fully for new cohort

19. whowhatwhereat.tumblr.com

20. Q&A