Area 8: Technology
This area of the framework recognises the importance of children and young people with vision impairment being provided the training and opportunity to be able to use technology and equipment with as much independence as possible. Some types of technology will require bespoke teaching and time delivered by a professional with specialist knowledge of that technology. It is important that children and young people have access to the most appropriate assistive technology for their needs at as early an age as is appropriate, and that this is facilitated within their day to day working (e.g. ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place and learning material is provided in a compatible format).
For more information regarding this element of the framework, please download the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) and accompanying guidance.
Examples of targeted intervention approaches
- Educational Technology (EdTech) e.g. interactive whiteboards, screen sharing apps and software
- Assistive Technology
- Magnification and screen reading software, braille displays and notetakers, touch monitors
- Mainstream technology
- Adaptations to accessible mainstream technology, e.g. tablets, accessibility tools and general/universal settings on standard operating systems
- Technology for accessing the curriculum and beyond
- e.g. switches, computers, accessible scientific calculators for non-visual learners, accessible music composition software programmes
- Technology for life
- e.g. mobile phones, apps (including specialist apps such as colour recognition tools), GPS and navigation apps (including transportation apps), social media, speech input software
- Access to E-learning, for example, virtual learning environments
- Touch typing, including keyboard shortcuts
- Understanding choice e.g. switches, computer programming
- Keeping safe in a digital world
Use of resources in practice
When using resources signposted via or downloaded from RNIB Bookshare, consideration should be given to any health and safety risks that might be involved and it is the responsibility of the user of these resources to undertake an appropriate risk assessment where applicable. RNIB assumes no responsibility or liability to the extent permitted by law for any injury, loss or damage incurred as a result of any use or reliance upon the information and material contained within or downloaded from RNIB Bookshare.
Resources:
Educational Technology (EdTech)
- Dancing Dots website (External). Information on accessible music composition programmes, other technology, educational resources and training to assist people with vision impairment to write, and record their music. QTVIs, other professionals.
- Perkins School for the Blind: Music Technology for the Visually Impaired (External). US school providing a wider range of eLearning resources. Music Technology Tools for the Blind, Learning Music With or Without Braille, Solutions for Low Vision Music Students, List of Resources. QTVIs, other professionals
Assistive Technology (AT)
Assistive technology general/ 'overview' of resources
- RNIB: Technology Resource Hub (External). RNIB website guide offering guidance covering: Phones, tablets and desktops, specialist access technology, Tech for Life, entertainment, TV and books. QTVIs, other professionals and parents.
- Sense: Technology (External). Sense website content which describes technology to support people with MSI. There are subsections on Computing, Entertainment, Everyday Life and Communication.
- Perkins School for the Blind: Technology (External). US school providing a wide range of eLearning resources. This page includes technology curriculums and training resources to assist teachers to teach technology skills using various devices and software and to track a student’s progress as they develop technology skills. QTVIs, other professionals.
Downloadable Resources
- Amanda-Bayley-Sunter, QTVI: Progression Chart: Orbit Reader. A progression chart to track the development of skills in managing and operating an Orbit Reader.
RNIB: Assistive technology assessment for pupils with vision impairment. This RNIB guide has been updated (2023). It gives information and advice to anybody involved in deciding what equipment to provide a young person in an educational setting to help them overcome the barriers caused by vision impairment. The range of equipment available is considered in broad terms. Relevant aspects of the context in which the equipment will be used are considered. The process of assessment including setting-up the equipment, training, technical support, evaluation and re-assessment are discussed.
Mainstream technology/Technology for Life
- RNIB: Making the most of iPads: Part 1(External). Article on getting the most from iPad's accessibility features. Why choose an iPad, which iPad to get, using iPad accessibility, VoiceOver screen reader, Zoom magnifier.
- RNIB: Making the most of iPads: Part Two (External). Article which provides an overview of how to engage learners with vision impairments using iPads.
- Education Gateshead: iPad accessibility scheme of work for pupils with vision impairment (External). This scheme of work, arising from the collaboration of QTVIs from Gateshead, Manchester, Portsmouth and Barnet and accessed via TPT - who were also involved in the scheme - has materials broken down into sections which look at the learners’ knowledge and ability to perform set iPad tasks, explore the use the equipment and their outcomes. QTVIs, other professionals.
- Perkins School for the Blind: Shared Notes on the iPad (External). On the Perkins eLearning website a practical tip for sharing notes with your student via the iPad. The article gives clear instructions, including diagrams of the step by step process to enabling this.
- Wayfinder Family Services USA: Infant and Early Childhood Programme iPad Curriculum (External). A useful list of apps for the iPad on the Wayfinder Family Services (USA) website. Each app is supported by a video of a child using it.
- Teaching students with visual impairments: identification Apps for students with vision impairment (External). US website including a round up of specialist apps for students with vision impairment - content from Teaching Students with Visual Impairment website with links to apps to assist with object, colour recognition, light identification. QTVIs, other professionals, parents and CYPVI
- AbilityNet: My Computer, My Way (External). Guides offering step by step instructions on how to adapt phones, computers or tablets to meet individual needs. You can search for a specific need (e.g. making text larger) or filter the guides based on symptoms (e.g. hand tremor) or condition (e.g. vision impairment).
- AbilityNet: Vision impairment and computing factsheet (External) Factsheet from AbilityNet covering accessibility features in mainstream technology in addition to and assistive technology. QTVIs, other professionals and parents.
- Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning (CALL) Scotland: Technology (External). Comprehensive website covering solutions built-in to the operating systems of computers including SmartPhones, specialist devices and/or software, technology for life, access to educational technology and touch typing. QTVIs, other professionals.
Downloadable Resources
- Amanda-Bayley-Sunter, QTVI: Progression Chart: iPad (sighted learner): A progression chart to track the development of key skills relating to iPad use e.g. locating and naming parts of the iPad, basic navigation
- Amanda-Bayley-Sunter, QTVI: Progression Chart: iPad (non sighted learner): A progression chart to track the development of key skills relating to iPad use e.g. locating and naming parts of the iPad, basic navigation
Touch typing skills
- Doorway On-line Accessible Software Text Type (External) Online free touch typing activities in English or Welsh designed for those with vision impairment and all learners. It includes accessibility options such as text to speech, the ability to change font size and background colour.
Downloadable Resources
- Jane Sharp, QTVI: Touch Typing Number Exercises
- Coventry Sensory Team: Touch Typing Recommendations
- Amanda-Bayley-Sunter, QTVI: Progression Chart: Pre-Typing, Typing and Keyboard Skills Development
Touch Typing Journal - Lancashire County Council
- A touch typing journal with learning aims and activities relating to the home row on a QWERTY keyboard
- A touch typing journal with learning aims and activities relating to the lower row on a QWERTY keyboard
- A touch typing journal with learning aims and activities relating to the upper row on a QWERTY keyboard
Keeping safe in a digital world
- Guide Dogs: Internet safety for kids (External). Guidance for children and young people, guidance for parents, resources for parents, training and resources for professionals. QTVIs, other professionals and parents.
- LOOK UK: Staying Safe Online: The VIP Guide! (External). What does keeping safe online mean to visually impaired young people? The online world and tech are so important for VI people for so many reasons. Find out why, from one of LOOK's mentors. Content for CYPVI.
Funding for technology and equipment
- Guide Dogs: Assistive Technology for children with a VI (External). Guide Dogs website focusing the Tech for All service offering a free Apple iPad or iPhone to children and young people (aged 3-18) with visual impairments, to use outside of school. QTVIs, other professionals and parents.
- NATSIP: The Provision of Equipment and Technology This briefing outlines funding arrangements for equipment and technology in the context of the SEN Code of Practice (2014)/ Equality Act 2010.