Collaboration in Assistive Technology

Concurrent session 2

Empowering Personalised Learning In Diverse Classrooms
Texthelp (Read&Write) Digital Tools for Inclusive Learning
In today’s diverse classrooms, it is more important than ever to create learning environments that accommodate, foster, and challenge all learners. Educational technologies can empower students to self-select the supports they need, effectively personalising their own learning in the process. Explore how utilising digital tools helps support personalised learning and learner agency. With a focus on accessing information, processing meaning and expressing understandings.
– Rachel Coathup (Texthelp)

Collaborative approaches to Assistive Technology and Restrictive Practices
A Collaborative approach is needed where Assistive Technology (AT) is or might be, a Restrictive Practice (RP). Sometimes the use of Restrictive Practices is necessary for safety and wellbeing. At other times, AT can be misinterpreted as being an RP or it is unclear whether it could be an RP. This session will discuss the steps that need to be taken in these situations in order to ensure that the safest and least restrictive option is put in place using best practice and ensuring that the authorisation requirements are met. AT assessors and PBS Practitioners working closely together is key, as is documentation. The session will discuss what are the reasonable steps in this collaborative process.
– Belinda Carpenter and Aaron Billing