Dear colleagues,
Thanks for your invitation. I joined the group over the summer but I didn’t have the chance to introduce myself:
My name is Mari-Cruz García and I work as assessment and feedback advisor at the University of Edinburgh. However, I joined the group
because, outside my work, I am undertaking a qualitative research on the perceptions that teachers of special education in Nicaragua have of tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (equivalent roughly to ICT) and assistive technologies.
In Nicaragua, the Government of the Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional is undertaking a magnificent word making education a right
for all its citizens, abolishing matriculation fees for primary and secondary education, and investing in an inclusive model that is trying to reach learners with disabilities, indigenous communities of the Atlantic Coast and children from the most deprive
backgrounds. Maybe our beloved British Government could learn how a Government with limited means can invest on the education system, rather than renewal of Trident
J.
The main challenges for inclusive education in Nicaragua are the high illiteracy rates for people with disabilities (44% of the people
with disabilities aged between 17 and 34 were illerated in 2009) and the low retention rates, as the average school rates for learners with disabilities in 4.3 years. Architectural barriers are also an issue, as advocacy organisations and the government are
trying to make all public schools accessible by 2016. The use of assistive technologies is also limited, since the main challenges are the architectural barriers and adapting the curriculum and pedagogical materials.
I would be interested in knowing if any of the group members is embarked in a similar study or project in Latino América.
Best regards,
Mari Cruz
From: Assistive Technology interest group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Claire Guthrie
Sent: 21 September 2016 09:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Welcome to Session 2016/17
Welcome everyone - new and existing members - to the Assistive Technology Network for session 2016/17.
It's been really heartening to see the Network being used so well for it's purpose. Thanks for all the interesting and lively posts; I know my practice has benefited from
this rich information source. We now have over 200 members - so there is obviously a strong interest in all things AT 'out there', or rather here!
This year will see us push forward with the AT Steering Group - a date to meet will be winging its way to those have expressed an interest soon. Once the steering group is
up and running we hope to have a Wordpress blog and Twitter account for you to contribute to should this appeal.
Margaret McKay from Jisc has been kindly beavering away organizing a webinar for the Network which should be helpful to many. We hope you can join us for this on the 26th
Oct which focuses on exploring alternative ways to access alternative formatting. Here is a quick summary of the session:
Accessing information in the appropriate accessible format is an entitlement, yet doing so can often be problematic for students and for staff
supporting them, placing them at unreasonable disadvantage. Whilst institutions have a legal responsibility to produce information and course content in accessible formats, there are often difficulties in procuring accessible versions of information and course
material that have not been ‘digitally born’. There are a number of services available to support staff in doing so and some options will be explored during this lunchtime session.
To book please click on the link below:
And finally, we really want the Network to be creative and user led. If you have any ideas or requests for training or other please let us know. We have suppliers in the background who
would love to meet your AT needs either through webinars or direct training.
Kind regards
Claire
Claire Guthrie
Senior Lecturer - Learning Support
North Hanover St
City of Glasgow College
0141 566 4297
City of Glasgow College | Scottish Charity Number SCO36198 | VAT Number 59677128
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