Gerry is an Assistive Technology consultant to schools and other youth services. Gerry provides advice and consultations around the use of assistive technology to effectively remove or minimise barriers in education and employment for people with learning difficulties and a range of disabilities.
Participants received a 4 gig jumpdrive pre-loaded with more than 80 different portable applications that can be used anywhere at any time. These applications include software related to planning and organisation, multimedia tools, reading and writing support, visual support, keyboard and mouse alternatives, presentation tools, browsers, authoring tools, games and more.
This training revised and expanded upon the AccessApps professional development delivered in this region last year and explores the changes to EduApps and other technology such as reading pens, intellipens, the “My Study Bar” software and much more!
Benalla Session
The National Disability Coordination Program in partnership with GO TAFE and the NE TRACKS LLEN, invited educators, students, disability support workers, employment services, disability service providers and community groups to professional development on ‘Exploring New and Emerging Assistive Technologies with Gerry Kennedy’. This pd was held on the 23rd June in Benalla. Please click here for registration details. The majority of participants rated the pd as 'highly informative'
Comments included:
"This will support my own teaching and learning activities which I didn't expect- Thank you!
"This assistive technology is for everyone not just for people with disabilities- it's great stuff!"
Morwell Session
The NDCO along with GippsTAFE sponsored Gerry to come to the Gippsland region in response to the growing interest within education and employment around using assistive technologies to facilitate inclusion for people with a range of learning or participation difficulties. We invited educators, students, disability support workers, employment services, disability service providers and community groups to attend ‘Exploring New and Emerging Assistive Technologies with Gerry Kennedy’ on 2 August at the GippsTAFE Yallourn Campus. Please click here for registration details.
Gerry demonstrated AccessApps, My Study Bar and Intellipens and discussed other software.
Evaluation form responses showed 100% of participants found the session 'very informative' and intended to use the learning in the next 3-6months. The majority of respondents had identified 2 or more applications which they intended to use.
Feedback included:
"I can use this stuff even when I think I’m not computer savvy & am now empowered to open doors for my students."
"Really excellent: Freeware will be so good for students to be directed to, particularly those who cannot afford programs like Jaws, Text-help, Dragon etc."