Resources for Assistive Technology Trainers
Training and Professional Development
- A Certificate and/or Diploma in Assistive Technology Applications is now available through the Central Remedial Clinic, in partnership with the Adult Education Centre at University College Dublin. Arising out of a unique European-American collaboration with the Center on Disabilities at California State University, Northbridge, it is Ireland's only available source of certified training for assistive technology trainers. The program is also recommended for library and other staff who are providing support services for individuals with disabilities.
- British Computer Association of the Blind Trainer Certification Scheme (BTCS) The British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB) in collaboration with the British Healthcare Association and the Institute of Information Technology Training (IITT) offers an accreditation program for AT trainers.
- EASI Access (Equal Access to Software and Information) offers a Certificate in Accessible Information Technology in conjunction with the University of Southern Maine. Using online instruction, EASI states that it has delivered online training since the early 1990s to over 5000 people in more than 40 different countries.
- Techshare is an international conference held in Birmingham each fall. Hosted by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Techshare is a very worthwhile event designed for professionals who work "in the field of visual impairment, or have an interest in technology and how it facilitates independent access to education,employment, lifelong learning and society for visually impaired people". The presentations are often relevant to other groups of individuals with print disabilities as well.
Associations and Discussion Lists
- Text Access Discussion
List - This list was established in response to suggestions from
people working in the area of access and disability support in Ireland's
third level educational institutions. The purpose of the list is to
provide a forum for them to discuss the disability and access issues
at third level and to facilitate the sharing of relevant information
and resources.
It is assumed that the list will be of greatest use to the Library, Disability, and Assistive Technology support staff responsible for ensuring that students with print disabilities obtain alternative access to printed materials. Students and anyone else with an interest in this area are also welcome.
- Dis-forum Discussion List - A UK listserv covering topics for both staff and students in the field of disability in Higher Education.
Textual Resources
- Wired to Work: An Analysis of the Reported Crisis in Access Technology Training for People with Visual Impairments: A Technical Brief prepared by the American Foundation for the Blind Employment and Technology Groups.
- California State University Northridge Center on Disabilities publishes the annual proceedings of its International Conferences on Technology and Persons with Disabilities. These articles are a rich source of information on everything from new products and product evaluations, to training opportunities, research results and sources of electronic texts.
Last Updated: 06-Feb-2004
