nasen leads Assistive Technology training pilot in mainstream schools in partnership with Microlink
Funded by the DfE, the Assistive Technology Training Pilot aims to grow and develop the use of assistive technology, to support children and young people with SEND. We will collaborate with Microlink to run online training sessions to nominated Assistive Technology Champions from each school between 31st January and 7th March 2022.
Children’s Minister, Will Quince announced the pilot at a recent National Network of Parent Carer Forums event sharing the importance of reducing and removing barriers to learning for children and young people with SEND by training teachers and school staff to use assistive technology.
nasen CEO, Annamarie Hassall MBE, said: “Assistive Technology has an increasingly important role to play in education. Through the pandemic, its importance has accelerated with children and young people learning both in school and remotely. We know that using assistive technology can be life-changing and empowering for a learner with SEND or learning differences.
“Despite this, the growth in Assistive Technology has brought numerous challenges for educators and families alike. nasen is thrilled to be supporting this training pilot with the Department for Education and Microlink to help ensure children and young people with SEND receive every support possible to ensure that they can learn and thrive alongside their peers in mainstream education. We must continue striving towards ensuring equity of provision in the classroom and through remote learning''.
A launch event will take place on 27th January, attended by the senior leaders and Assistive Technology Champions from the 24 participating secondary schools and 57 primary schools.
Dr Nasser Siabi OBE, CEO of Microlink, added: “I am delighted that Microlink is working closely with a charity of nasen’s significance on the DfE’s Assistive Technology Training Pilot.
“Microlink has been a leading provider of Assistive Technology for Higher Education and Business for nearly 30 years, and we have a whole-hearted belief in its potential to revolutionise our classrooms. Assistive Technology can bring the confidence of a level playing field for all students, improve the support we offer to those most in need of help and improve the lives and productivity of our teachers.”
Upon completion in March 2022, the effectiveness of the training pilot will be independently evaluated by CooperGibson Research, with the results announced later in the year.
