The Role of Technology
Steve Barnard
Wilkommen
Help
• I hope that you can understand me!
“The Government’s objective is to enable people with learning disabilities to have as much choice and control as possible over their lives and their services and support they receive”
“Valuing People”
Purpose of Technology
• To do old things better• To do new things
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Communication
• Letters to families & friends
• Newsletters• Advocacy• Symbolising
information• E-Mail
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Inclusion
• Calendars (eg. for ‘Ramblers’)
• Posters• ID cards• Community
awareness• Labels
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Leisure
• Writing stories – text & symbols
• Email to advertise events
• Personalised greetings cards
• Digital photography
• Internet
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Learning
• New skills• Special and
mainstream software
• E-learning
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Choices – moving on !• Research using the
Internet • Who to live with!• Keeping in touch
through Email • Room Layout• Digital camera
plays a big role• Recording
Benefits of the uses of ICT
Communication
Making choicesInclusion
Learning
Leisure Employment
Employment
• New Skills• Training• Employability• Employment
Why Computers
• VividVivid GraphicsGraphics• Repetition at Repetition at
user’s paceuser’s pace• Personalised Personalised
input devicesinput devices• MultimediaMultimedia• Instant Instant
responseresponse• RecordingRecording
Benefits – BILD Evaluation
• Providing access to ICT is a tangible expression of the philosophy of normalisation.
• ICT amplifies existing skills and helps overcome specific areas of disability
• The skills use of ICT creates increased opportunities for participation in a range of activities.
• The power of computers has created new opportunities for sophisticated interactive games.
• It is possible that ICT could have have implications for personal growth and development
Person Centred Planning
“Person centred planning is a way of assisting people to work out what they want, the support they require and helping them get it.”
“Person centred planning has the person at the centre, is carried out in alliance with friends and family and is focussed on getting real lives for people.”
BILD 2003
Person Centred Planning
• Choices• Life History• Ownership• Self Esteem• Recording
Role Of ICT
PCP
Viewing
Creating
Recording
Funding
• Community Fund (163K, £551K)
• Karten Trust (£70K)• NOF (£60K)• Esmee Fairbairn (£34k)• Vodafone (£20K)
Role Of ICT
PCP
Viewing
Creating
Transition
Recording
Family Carers
• Own transitions• Transitions for one –
adjustment for other
Becoming an Adult
• New relationships• New
skills/expectations• Possible Loss of
equipment• Transport (Mobility)• New Skills• New Relationships
Going to Work
• New Environment• New skills (e.g.
finance)• Work Relationships
(authority/colleagues)• Time Keeping• Appearance• Travel
Learning
• Virtual Learning Models– Environment– Finance– Relationships– Employment
Using ICT
• Identity/Independence/inclusion• ‘Equalising’• Personal Profiles/ Life Stories• Virtual Learning Models • Information• Communication• Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology
• Low level high level• Independence/Employability
– Electrical Goods– Communication– Monitoring– Environmental Control
• Equal Bid
Communication
• Maintain Family/Friendship Networks– E-mail– Video-links
• Employment (especially family carers)– Work from
home
Research Grant
• School of Education, University of Birmingham
• Commences September 2002
• £154,000 (two years)• “Why is ICT beneficial?”
Staff Training
Conclusion
• Just the Start• Auf Wiedersehen