Assistive Technology Users

All technologies are ‘assistive technologies’ to some extent. In education, the use of a virtual learning environment or other learning platforms can assist learners in a variety of ways, as can an interactive whiteboard and a mobile phone.

JISC Techdis recognises a continuum between mainstream technologies, productivity tools, free and Open Source support tools and commercial assistive technologies. From the perspective of independence and sustainability it makes sense to first try to meet user requirements with tools on the mainstream and Open Source end of the spectrum and gradually work towards full-blown assistive technologies as the need dictates.

There is a difference between what will work for a user and what degree of effort the user is prepared to give, in order to achieve the desired benefits.

There is a high redundancy rate with many assistive technologies and this is often because:

• The user was exposed to a narrow range of solutions;
• The user was not fully involved in selecting the solution or training was inadequate;
• On-going support (even at a basic level) was simply not available.

It is essential that an organisation supporting assistive technology users has appropriate policies for the provision of support and that responsibility for implementation and maintenance is clearly defined as part of a specific job role or team function.

JISC Techdis resources include:

• Models of appropriate assistive technology to the Accessibility Pyramid and the JISC Techdis assistive technology themes;
• Signposts to free and Open Source technologies;
• Advice and guidance on making better use of existing technologies;
• Roles and responsibilities.