Free Make It Accessible Training Courses Announced By Dolphin for Dyslexic & Vision Impaired Students

Online, January 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Free "Make it Accessible" training courses were announced today at the world's largest education technology show, BETT 2011.

The "Make it Accessible" training courses will extend the availability of accessible course materials, handouts and textbooks for dyslexic, low vision and blind secondary school children across the UK. This course will promote accessible learning materials by sharing best practices and practical guidelines with special education needs coordinators, teachers and teaching assistants.

Funded by the Department for Education, the Accessible Resources Pilot Project ran throughout the 2009 to 2010 school year, with the pilot's final report expected imminently. The project tested an innovative model for the provision of accessible and alternative format textbooks to 40 dyslexic and vision impaired pupils aged 11 to 14. Hazel Shaw, Marketing Director for Dolphin Computer Access explains more about the pilot;

"Critically during this innovative trial, each of the students involved in the pilot could choose how they preferred to access each of the learning materials. Many simply chose to listen to their textbooks using their screen reader or reading software and an accessible Word version of the print. But students also choose to use the alternative format versions of the same textbooks, including Braille, large print, MP3 audio, DAISY talking book copies that they or their teachers made."

"'Make it Accessible' introduces the key universal rules for making reading and learning materials accessible, including some practises and processes learnt during the trial. The course will also introduce computer software to assist in making materials accessible as specific alternative formats, including large print, MP3 audio, DAISY talking books and Braille."

The free 'Make it Accessible' courses are ideal for SENCOs, teachers, teaching assistants or anyone supporting or responsible for the learning requirements of students with dyslexia or visual impairments.

Places on these free training courses are immediately available for reservation at www.YourDolphin.com/MakeItAccessible as well as further detailed information about the courses learning objectives, the trainer and available course dates.

Alternatively places can be booked by calling Dolphin Computer
Access on 01905 754 577 or visiting Dolphin on stand SN5 in the Special Needs Zone at BETT 2011 (Olympia, Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX) on the 12th to 16th January 2011.