We're looking for students to take part in researchWe have been asked to participate in an international research project looking at the accessibility of the PISA online assessments. We are looking for ten students in Scotland aged 15, who use Assistive Technology, to evaluate an online PISA science assessment, and tell us what they think. If you are a student who uses Assistive Technology, or if you work with or know a student who might be interested, can you contact us? Which Symbol would you choose?Your view is being sought by the Communication Access UK Project on which symbol you would like to see businesses and organisations throughout the UK use to show that communication access is supported there. The project consultation has reached a second stage and there's still an opportunity for you to vote before the 28th February 2018 deadline! Personal Communication PassportsBack around 1990, my colleague, Sally Millar (now enjoying her retirement), was working with an adult with communication difficulties. (We'll call her Mandy.) Everything seemed to be in place for Mandy to spend a weekend's respite with a family - her communication book had been updated with appropriate vocabulary for the visit. The following week, Sally contacted the family to find out how things had gone. Chromebooks not so shiny for PDF maths booksChromebooks are being purchased by many local authorities and schools to replace Windows-based machines. How do Chromebooks measure up for learners with additional support needs? In this blog we look at accessing the Scottish Heinemann Maths and TeeJay digital textbooks that are available from CALL Scotland's Books for All Scotland Database. Training coursesAt our University of Edinburgh training centre.
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Upcoming eventsSome events for your diary. Family Fun Technology Day 2018 - FREERun by specialist staff (CALL, FAACT, KEYCOMM, SCTCI, TASSCC and others) and funded by Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland and Communication Matters, this is a chance for families of children with additional support needs to try out and learn about software, hardware, and specialised communication technologies. If you are a professional you are welcome to come along with a family you work with. ASL and Technology 2018 - FREEThis year, ASL & Technology will take place in Aberdeen (13 June) and Edinburgh (14 June). Both days will feature presentations by teachers and pupils from local schools on the innovative use of technology in the classroom, presentations by staff from CALL Scotland highlighting good practice, and an exhibition featuring many of the UK's leading suppliers of software and technology to support learners with additional support needs. What we're readingThe Sa11ytaire ExperimentThis is a fascinating blog describing the use of different access methods for playing solitaire with Windows 10. (definitely one for the techies!) House of Commons Work and Pensions CommitteeWritten evidence submitted to the Assistive Technology inquiry by various organisations, including British Assistive Technology Association, Apple and Google. APPGAT NewsletterLatest Newsletter from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology. |