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