"What does everyone else think?"

...To add to the discussion on the remit of AT-TRAINERS ... I unsubscribed
myself from Dis-Forum as I found the discussion too general (my Disability
Co-Ordinator now passes me anything she thinks might be of interest) ...and
started my own email support list for "those involved in the use of AT to
support students in the Hampshire area" (we have members from local
sixth-form, FE and HE) and call ourselves the HAT Network.  We did discuss
reviving the AT-Trainers list instead of creating our own, but felt that
there would be advantages in keeping a local list - I am sure some of the
members of HAT are also on this AT-Trainers List.  BUT, it is nice that
AT-Trainers is international ....

I am the only one involved in assistive technology in our HE Institution
and I have to investigate possible solutions to the effects of disability
on learning, as well as carry out training - I therefore think the work of
an AT Trainer includes assessing students' needs and it could be handy
allowing assessors and trainers on AT-TRAINERS (although I do agree
withSusan, that the focus should be on AT training).  For example, can any
Assessor tell me whether Write OutLoud will no longer be given to dyslexic
mac students through the DSA, now that Texthelp have a mac version?  Also,
if like Tim, rather than teaching the functions of the software, you
concentrate on the when and whys to use the software, then you need to be
able to 'assess' the purpose of the software to specific students depending
on their disability.

Lorna Campbell
Study Assistance Tutor
Assistive Technology Centre
Southampton Institute



Regards Lorna Campbell