The Impact of Recent Legislation upon Access to the Curriculum

Recent legislation places a duty upon schools and local authorities to provide access to the curriculum and to improve communication the delivery of information for children with Additional Support Needs. Networked computers in schools, and the development of the Scottish Schools Digital Network offer even more opportunities for access to digital curriculum resources. Providing effective access for students who may require specialist software or hardware, or alterations to the operating system settings, while maintaining security and integrity of networks, can be challenging. This seminar will review the relevant legislation and explore the implications for local authority and school ICT services. We will use case studies to show how ICT can be used to improve access to the curriculum and to information, and discuss practical approaches to providing accessible hardware and digital curriculum resources.

Paul D Nisbet, Senior Research Fellow, CALL Centre, University of Edinburgh
Dr. Stuart Aitken, Senior Research Fellow, CALL Centre, University of Edinburgh

Paul Nisbet is Senior Research Fellow and Joint Coordinator at the Communication Aids for Language and Learning (CALL) Centre, at the University of Edinburgh. CALL is funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department to provide a Scottish assessment, support, information and training service in the areas of ICT and AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) and special educational and additional support needs. Paul is part of the multidisciplinary CALL team providing assessment and support to children and staff in schools, with particular responsibility in the areas of specialised computer access, ICT and dyslexia, accessible digital resources, and powered mobility. He has written several books dealing with ICT and SEN, delivers courses within CALL and through in-service training in schools, and is involved in research and development.

Dr. Stuart Aitken is Senior Research Fellow and Psychologist, specialising in Visual Impairment, at the Communication Aids for Language and Learning (CALL) Centre, at the University of Edinburgh, and is also Senior Consultant with Sense Scotland. Stuart’s particular areas or expertise concern children with severe and complex, multiple difficulties, and also the use of ICT for children with reading and writing difficulties. Stuart was involved in drafting the new ASN Code of Practice and is recognised as an authority on consulting with children and visual impairment.