Access UCC | Assistive Technology available to students | Disability Support | Tech to support learning

How do I understand more about Assistive Technology?

The "Technology to Make Learning Easier" resource is aimed at TY students and educators; we offer training, links and advice to make reading, writing and studying easier for students using various free technology either already on your computer, your phones or technology that is free to download.

To allow you to make the most of these excellent, free learning tools we also examine some fundamental IT skills including touch-typing and file management. To utilise technology for learning it is also important that teachers are familiar with sharing their teaching and learning materials digitally.

Disability Support partner with the Cork Education Centre to deliver online training for teachers and SNAs afternoons and evenings which can suit some educators better.
Please click here to view the CESC training calendar and book the training of interest to you.

As part of this partnership, we are running a Summer School for Teachers from July 1^st to July 5^th. This covers UDL, free/built in technology to support literacy difficulties, mind mapping, inclusive technology and teaching resources for students with sensory and/or physical disabilities. Teachers can click here to book this Summer Course on Assistive Technology to Enable Success for Students with Disabilities/Learning Differences.

What is the Assistive Technology Outreach Programme?

The Disability Support Service offers online training sessions in Assistive Technology for second-level students with disabilities/ learning difficulties,and their parents and educators.

We offer training, links and advice to make reading, writing and studying easier for students using various free technology either already on your computer, your phones or technology that is free to download.

To allow you to make the most of these excellent, free learning tools we also examine some fundamental IT skills including touch-typing and file management. To utilise technology for learning, teachers must be familiar with digitally sharing their teaching and learning materials.

Who is this programme for?

This programme is aimed at students in secondary school, but we include students from 5^th and 6^th classes to support their transition to secondary. A parent/guardian must be with any 5^th/6^th class students participating in the training.

All parents are welcome to participate in the training as they are better informed about the AT and can encourage and support its use for homework.

This training is relevant to students who may struggle with schoolwork due to:

Literacy difficulties
Low stamina/energy levels
Physical difficulties
Visual impairment
Being Deaf/hard of hearing
Other specific learning difficulties
Planning and organising difficulties

What can I expect from the training?

All training will be held online via Google Meet.

When you have booked a place/s for a training session you will receive:

An email confirming your booking.
Emails a day before the training with links, recourses and information on the training content.
An email 30 minutes before the training with a link to the Google Meet. You can click on this link to join the training session.

What do I need to participate in the training?

We endeavour to make the training as interactive and engaging as possible in an online platform and I ask all to have their mic and camera on.
Please be ready to engage fully with the training.

It is NOT ADVISABLE to connect with the training on a phone. This is very bad for your eyes, and it means you cannot try out some of the excellent tools we will be exploring on your phones.

Please have any phones or tablets you use nearby and charged.

You will need:

Internet access on your computer/ laptop/tablet or your phone (though a larger screen makes it easier on your eyes) Also if you wish to use your phone you may have to install the Google Meet app.
The sound is turned on on your device (headphones are convenient)
If you want to ask questions verbally, you need a mic (most laptops have a built-in mic or you may have a headset at home with a mic). Alternatively, you can type questions into the chat window, and I will answer verbally

You can choose to share input from your camera, or you can choose not to. If you choose to share input from your camera, please be aware of what can be seen on your camera

How can I contact the programme?

Disability Support is located on the 1st floor, The Hub Building, UCC Main Campus, College Road, Cork, UCC.

Please contact deirdre.madden@ucc.ie if you have any queries and we will get back to you within regular daytime office hours.

How can I book the training?

By clicking the link provided, you will be directed to the bookings page where you can explore the training calendar, find sessions that meet your needs, and even book your spot in the training session of interest.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge that can make a significant difference in supporting students in their educational journey. Click the link now to access the page and start exploring the training options available.