I remember a long discussion about training during my Access Centre
assessment as well, which was elsewhere.

Also, when I turn on my laptop there is a 'student info' link from the
supplier, which sets out various information including a section on the
importance of training - easy to mistake for the internet explorer link if
you're not concentrating and using magnification software, so I've read it
a few times ;)



Quoting Julie Cox <[log in to unmask]>:

> David,
>
>
>
> Thanks for this, interesting that you have been able to apply it - I
> don't
> know of any other centres that have this as standard, but I'm sure there
> must be some out there.  I haven't heard that the practice is widespread,
> but would be delighted to hear otherwise.
>
>
>
> Julie.
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Austen
> Sent: 27 March 2007 16:08
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: training
>
>
>
> Dear Julie
>
> The following is an extract from our assessment form re advice on
> training.
> I am sure many other Centres do the same.
>
>
>
> 'It is important to learn how to use assistive technology aids. There is
> little point in being provided with specialist equipment or software if
> you
> aren't sure how to use it.
>
>
>
> Even if you have good computer skills you'll probably find it helps to
> have
> an experienced specialist trainer on hand to work out how assistive
> technology aids can help achieve study or employment goals.
>
>
>
> If you have received equipment following recommendations made by this
> Centre
> you should also have access to funding to cover training costs. You are
> strongly advised to use this training and to make sure your training is
> provided by an assistive technology specialist.
>
>
>
> You can also seek further training later on if you have had your
> equipment
> for a while and feel you need reminding how to use it properly. You might
> seek advanced training to learn how to do new things that crop up on your
> course or in your job.
>
>
>
> Contact your LEA or the ACCESS Centre if you think you need to arrange
> more
> training'.
>
>
>
> Kind regards
>
> David Austen
>
> www.cambridgeaccesscentre.com
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Julie Cox <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tuesday, 27 March, 2007 3:16:20 PM
> Subject: Re: training
>
> Dear all,
>
> I have recently rejoined this list and find that it's the one where the
> suppliers and students are actively contributing.
>
> Just to put a cat among the pigeons, it seems to me that apart from the
> original training a student receives on the assistive software, students
> would benefit from a further trainer visit after, perhaps, 6 months to
> sort
> out any issues the student has, having had the opportunity to put her/his
> original training into practice.  Does anyone know if this has ever been
> raised with the DfES as an item for DSA funding that would encourage take
> up
> of the software?  I see plenty of students who come for a further
> assessment, more often than not they haven't been using all the assistive
> software.  This might be one way to encourage them if assessors were able
> to
> recommend it.
>
> What do others think in DIS-FORUM land?
>
> Regards,
>
> Julie Cox
> DSA Needs Assessor.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nasser
> Sent: 27 March 2007 12:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: training
>
> Hi Alex
>
> Can you let me know how you get your training referrals? Do you contact
> students or are they passed on to you by the institution or the supplier?
>
> The reason for asking is that we often come across students that were
> supposed to be trained by the institution but we find that they have not
> received the training, In such circumstances we would like to refer them
> back to other training providers who are based in the vicinity and if
> this
> is provided by an assessment centre or University then even better. We
> strongly feel receiving the training at early stages will prevent
> potential
> problems and will significantly improve the quality of life for the
> students. I think prevention is always better than the cure.
>
> We have our own trainers too but we either use them if the LEA requests
> us
> to carry out the job or there are no other training providers nearby. We
> previously found that pressuring students towards getting the training
> confused some of them as they had been contacted and trained by other
> trainers we hence had ended up duplicating the job which meant we could
> not
> be paid for the training sessions. I think it is safer for us to let the
> LEAs place the order with us to avoid such situation as well as not
> stepping
> on other people's toes.
>
> At the moment we operate a system of providing information to some
> training
> providers on the delivery of the equipment to the students so that the
> training can be carried out at the earliest opportunity. I think the
> longer
> the student has the equipment without the training the less likely it
> becomes for them to take the recommended training.  If you are interested
> in
> receiving this information for your students please let me know.
>
>
> Best wishes
>
> Nasser Siabi
> Managing Director
> Microlink PC (UK) Ltd
> Direct: 02380 240 316
> Mobile: 07870603128
>
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of alex larg
> Sent: 27 March 2007 01:47
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: training
>
> Hi Emma,
>
> I am a freelance trainer, an assessor, a former disability officer and a
> campaigner and so have an interest in your comments.
>
> I aim to offer a person-centred approach to the clients' training
> sessions
> that I deliver and I don't feel that I need to know anything about a
> person
> before I train them. I feel that this advance knowledge can lead to
> people
> having certain preconceptions which isn't healthy and can lead to
> laziness
> and complacency.
>
> I train in most software strategies, with the exception of JAWS as I am
> not
> a user myself and don't currently have the time to develop my knowledge
> of
> that complex program. I probably don't know everything about every
> program,
> but  I know how to find out quickly. I learn something new everyday from
> the
> questions I am asked by clients - this may sound like I don't know much,
> but
> there is a lot of truth to the saying - the more you know the more you
> realize you don't know. I won't know anything soon :-)
>
> I also know what programs should do and so can reassure clients when
> programs don't do what they should that it is not they (the client) who
> are
> doing something wrong.  This situation can be intimidating and off
> putting
> for users. Again I feel this is exacerbated by underspecified machines.
> Another thing I keep going on about on one list or another.
>
> Wherever possible I would try to relate training to the work that a
> student
> has on the go. Where this is not possible the training might be aimed at
> creating an individualised user manual for the user as they know how they
> learn and how they will best remember. Visual, textual and/or aural/oral
> as
> required. They may not know they know this, but I aim to help them to
> realize this or at least begin to consider this and then suggest they
> carry
> this philosophy through to other pieces of work.
> I use plain English - non jargon - but using targeted essential language
> which is used within computer systems - widely used vocabulary necessary
> to
> function and interact. I will patiently repeat this language and any
> points,
> if so required, until the client is comfortable and has grasped the
> necessary information.
>
> I also don't have a set way of doing things as everyone is different and
> in
> my opinion good training has a solid framework basis, but requires
> flexibility to wrap around the clients' own learning styles.
>
> I work all around the country. Please contact me off list for any further
> information. I would also be interested in the names of the three
> universities you mention, off list.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Alex
>
> Alex Larg
>
> [log in to unmask]
> 07931 561 877 or 07916 175 077
> Freelance Assistive Technology Trainer
> Freelance study needs assessor
> Former Disability Officer
>
>
>
> ------ Forwarded Message
> From: Emma Wright <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: "Discussion list for disabled students and their support
> staff."
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:51:12 +0100
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: training
>
> I keep hearing all this about training, but I've never been offered
> any!  Nor have any of the students I've interviewed as part of my
> research across (so far) three universities.  What sort of training
> for what sort of software tends to be offered?
>
> Emma
>
> On 26/03/07, George Bell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Might I perhaps suggest that people take a serious look at
> > http://www.bcab.org.uk/training.html
> >
> > This is an initiative taken by the British Computer
> > Association of the Blind (BCAB) in response to complaints
> > about poor standards of training in the use of I.T.
> > equipment.
> >
> > Many organisations, including the Department of Employment
> > for example, are now insisting that contracted trainers are
> > BTCS (BCAB Trainer Certification Scheme) approved.
> >
> > Food for thought?
> >
> > George Bell.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
> > support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> > Of David Austen
> > Sent: 26 March 2007 13:51
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: training
> >
> > Posted without comment
> > extract from the 'form' letter sent out to students
> > regarding their DSA
> > provision. This is from a local LEA
> >   ( I do not think it is appropriate  to name which one).
> >
> >   "Recently, some students have informed us that they felt
> > pressurized
> > into accepting training provided by their University.
> >   Please  note that the LEA only uses training companies who
> > are
> > thoroughly reliable and have many years' experience.with
> > equipment
> > training for disabled students.
> >   If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by any
> > individual or by
> > a professional body, please contact us immediately and we
> > will ensure
> > appropriate action is taken".
> >
>
>
> --
> Emma Jane Wright
> School of Sociology and Social Policy
> University of Nottingham
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> www.accessingmaterials.org.uk <http://www.accessingmaterials.org.uk/>
>
>
> ------ End of Forwarded Message
>
> Sent using the Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac Test Drive.
>
>
>
>
>
>   _____
>
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