1. Assistive Technology and the
Inclusive Curriculum at Third Level
Colm Olwill November 14th 2012

2.  „An inclusive curriculum means recognising,
accommodating and meeting the learning
needs of all your students....acknowledging
that your students have a range of individual
learning needs and are members of diverse
communities‟ *
*http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusivet
eaching/pages/inclusive-
teaching/index.php

3.  Follows the principles of universal design for
instruction*2
 Uses technology to enhance
learning
 Makes reasonable
adjustments
*http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ass
ets/documents/inclusion/disabilit *2www.tcd.ie/CAPSL/TIC/about/wha
y/ICD_Art.pdf t/udi.php

4.  „Assistive technology means any item, piece
of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially, modified, or
customized, that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities‟.*
The Assistive Technology Act of
1998, [105-394, S.2432]

5.  Text to Speech software/ Screen Readers
Read and write Gold
Ginger
Jaws
iPad and iPad Siri
Google chrome
 Speech to Text
Dragon
iPad and iPad Siri
Google chrome

6.  Percentages (8.9%) of students with a print
disability are between 3% and 11% in Irish
third level collages.
 Students are sourcing and sharing texts
themselves often illegally.

7. The Equal Status Act 2000, Equality Act, 2004
Disability Act, 2005, IADT Equal Access &
Participation Policy.
“Individuals are entitled to receive information
in alternative formats where possible, upon
request.” The Equal Status Act 2000

8.  1. The procurement of electronic texts where possible as an
anticipatory duty.
 2. Preparation of materials in accessible formats to lessen the
need for alternative formatting. (Word or accessible PDF)
 3. Reading lists indicate whether the materials are available
electronically and from where.
 4. Ensure a comprehensive search has been carried out so
that all e-text options are exhausted before alternative
formatting is considered.
https://www.tcd.ie/CAPSL/TIC/ass
ets/doc/til/alt-format.docx

9.  Who ? - Students both with and without
disabilities, lecturers and library staff
 What ? - EBooks e.g. core texts, journal
articles, lecture notes etc .
 When ? –Anticipatory, now?
 Where ? - In the classroom, VLE/Blackboard,
In the library, online, on mobile devices.
 Why? - Practical, legal , technical, universal
design.
 How ? - Co-ordination and involvement.

10.  Trinity Inclusive Curriculum (TIC) - http://www.tcd.ie/CAPSL/TIC/
 An Inclusive Curriculum in Higher Education -
http://www.incurriculum.org.uk/main/the-project/what-is-an-inclusive-curriculum
 Teaching Students with Disabilities: Guidelines for Academic Staff. - DAWN
http://www.nairtl.ie/documents/Dawn%20webs.pdf
Inclusive education and inclusive curriculum: Moving the EFA agenda forward
 http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Inclusive_Education/Documents/IE_T
eacherEducation.pdf
Creating accessible documents
 http://www.umt.edu/it/support/accessibility/documents.php