On Tuesday 29 November, the Department for Education announced a raft of measures to improve support for children with SEND[1]. This included an Assistive Technologies Training Programme designed give school staff the confidence and capability to take full advantage of the range of technology available in the classroom to support children with SEND.
After completing a successful pilot programme involving eighty schools earlier this year, the DfE are funding an extension of the programme to reach a further 150 schools.
Marius Frank, Head of Education and Project Lead at Microlink, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be working once again in partnership with nasen. The feedback we received from primary and secondary schools participating in the pilot programme earlier this year was fantastic. The moment teachers release the power of Assistive Technologies in mainstream classes, so many children and young people get almost immediate benefits.
As one of the participating teachers said: “… if you an empower neurodiverse children to do things for themselves, they don’t sit there thinking ‘I can’t’, they start to believe ‘I can.. but maybe in a different way.'”
nasen CEO, Annamarie Hassall MBE, said: “Assistive Technology has an increasingly important role to play in education for all children and young people, and we know that its effective use can be empowering – even life-changing – for a learner with SEND or learning differences. “nasen is thrilled to have been selected by the Department for Education to run this programme, and delighted to be teaming up with Microlink once more to help ensure all learners are given the tools required to enable progress and achieve the best outcomes.”
Some quotes from teachers who participated in the Pilot Programme:
“Thank you so much. I felt daunted coming in, but you have demystified the process and I am now very excited!”
“AT is not as scary a prospect as I thought…going to use these tools with pupils! Thank you!”
“I have dyslexia and have coloured glasses. I have never heard of these built-in Assistive Technologies and I already know I will be using this myself and know I will be able to share this with staff and this will benefit children in children. Had I known about this when I was in school I know it would have been such a benefit to me.”
We anticipate the 150 free places will fill up really quickly: be sure to register your interest as soon as possible!”
For more information contact education@microlinkpc.com
About Microlink
- Microlink are the leaders in the field of Assistive Technology. We have enabled over a quarter of a million people with health conditions to succeed in education and employment.
- We stock the largest range of technology and tools in the UK. Our workplace adjustment service, MiCase is embraced as best practice for some of the largest corporations in the country.
- From Dyslexia to Arthritis, to visual and hearing losses, whatever the condition, Microlink can assess, advise, supply, train and support anyone looking to break down a barrier caused by their conditions.
- Microlink consults at Government level, wins numerous awards for its dedication and sources the latest technology to deliver a service to their customers that’s second to none.
- Whether you’re a large corporation, a small business, a school, a worker, a parent or student, call us today and let us provide the tools you need to not only achieve but thrive.
- Our vision is to create an inclusive society which embraces diversity and releases potential to advance humanity.
- For further information, visit: https://www.microlinkpc.com/about-us
About nasen
- nasen – the national association for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – is the leading membership charity that exists to champion, connect and support those working with and for children and young people with SEND and learning differences
- A fully inclusive and equitable education must be the aspiration for all children and young people. We exist to champion, connect and support all those involved in the education community – from the early years to schools, post-16, specialist schools and wider settings – to make this a reality
- Our free membership network, leading campaigns, trusted experience and training are empowering a generation of knowledgeable and effective leaders and practitioners who are transforming outcomes for the learners they serve day in, day out. We will not rest until we live in a world where learning is meaningful and accessible for every child and young person
- Over the past 30 years, we have worked in partnership with over 75,000 education practitioners in more than 59% of schools and settings in England and are deeply committed to ensuring that our expertise in SEND is available to every school and setting in the UK
- nasen’s work spans the delivery of international programmes of support through to direct, ‘on the ground’ engagement with schools and settings in the UK through the Whole School SEND consortium and wider project and programmes
- For further information, visit www.nasen.org.uk
- Follow nasen on Twitter @nasen_org, Facebook @nasen.org or LinkedIn @the-national-association-for-special-educational-needs-nasen
[1] https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/29/how-we-are-improving-support-for-children-with-send/
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