Training techniques

As a teacher or trainer, you will know that different people learn in different ways, regardless of disability.

Often when learning how to include students with a disability, trainers will say, “Well, that is just good training technique.”  And they are right.  Many inclusive training strategies can  improve your overall training technique.  Some general tips are:

• If you show something or write something, describe it verbally.

• If you describe something verbally, back it up with a written or physical representation. 

• If it can involve movement or actual involvement, do that too.  And describe what is happening.

You will then be catering to the needs of people with preferences for visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learning modes.  You will be catering for people who are theoretical and practical learners.  And for people with various forms of disability.

When considering whether learning resources need to be adapted for individual students, consider the student's learning support within the training context - what is the best way that you can provide training to the person so that they have the best opportunity possible to demonstrate their skills.

Overhead and PowerPoint Presentations

Chances are that you have been to a lecture or meeting where the speaker has used overhead transparencies or PowerPoint - and people sitting at the back of the room could not read the text.  This can be extremely frustrating, and distract greatly from the speaker's presentation.

Golden rules about using such presentation aids include:

• use sans serif fonts

• for a small group, use at least 16pt font - for larger groups, 18pt

• ensure good contrast

• read aloud all text and describe any graphics used

• use simple graphics - it is tempting to use cartoons but will put your audience off if only the front row get the joke!

• have some print copies available

PowerPoint is becoming a popular tool for web-based resources.  There are some good resources available on how to make PowerPoint accessible online for people using assistive technology.

Providing notes in classes and lectures

In academic settings, the ability to take notes during classes has been seen as an essential study skill.  This belief might be less prevalent in vocational training.  There are, however, still situations when a great deal of information is presented face-to-face, and listeners are expected to record or recall the information independently.

If you supply notes relating to face-to-face presentations, you provide:

• a valuable reminder of important points

• information that people with a hearing impairment might miss

• information in two forms, suiting different learning styles

• necessary details such as contact information

• a resource for people who have difficulty taking notes, including people with a vision impairment, learning difficulty, or mobility impairment

Contingency plans

You and the learner might spend a lot of time and energy planning for materials in accessible formats.  There could be times however, when something does not go to plan.  A piece of assistive equipment, for instance, might break down.  A guest trainer might arrive with printed material for a class which includes a learner with a vision impairment.  Consider contingency plans that might include peer readers or notetakers, or making an inhouse audio recording on old-fashioned cassette tape.

Assessment

If a person needs learning resources in an alternative format, then they will probably also need assessment materials in an alternative format.  This resources provide good advice about modified assessment arrangements.

Alternative Assessment for Students with Disabilities

Australian National University

http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/altass.html

Making assessment work for everyone

TAFE Queensland

http://www.southbank.tafe.net/site/downloads/library/MakingAssessmentWork.doc

This guide looks at the impact of the Australian Quality Training Framework on meeting the needs of a diverse learner population.

Resources

ADCET - Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and training

http://www.adcet.edu.au/

This site has up-to-date comprehensive information on just about anything related to education and training for adults with a disability.  Australian and international resources are referenced.

Vocational education and training resources for people with a disability

Qld Department of Employment and Training

http://www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/partners/resources/people_specific_needs/index.htm

List of links to internal and external resources

Strategies For Teaching Students With Disabilities: Reasonable Accommodations

University of Western Australia

http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/information_for/students/disability/resources/reasonable

Contents include teaching tips and information on a range of disabilities and medical conditions.

Access and Equity in Online Learning: Assistive Technologies for Online Training Delivery for People with Disability: Summary to Report
2001

http://resources.flexiblelearning.net.au/resources?14@175.biw3aeWKbOy.0@.ee7de1c

Supporting Student Diversity: Students with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Staff

Murdoch University, 2003

http://equityaccess.murdoch.edu.au/disability/supportingstudentdiversity.htm

Disability Resource Kit for Academic Staff

Universities Disabilities Co-operative Project (NSW), 1999

http://www.ccc.newcastle.edu.au/student-support/DisabilityResourceKit/Contents.htm

Contents include a wide range of practical tips for inclusive teaching practice.

Learning support for disabled students undertaking fieldwork and related activities

Geography Discipline Network, 2001

http://www.glos.ac.uk/gdn/disabil/index.htm

The site presents six guides relating to general and specific advise.

The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
http://www.ahead.org/

AHEAD is an international, multicultural organisation of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities.  

SKILL - National Bureau for Students with Disabilities UK

http://www.skill.org.uk/Index.htm

SKILL promotes opportunities to empower young people and adults with any kind of disability to realise their potential in further and higher education, training and employment throughout the United Kingdom. Skill works in partnership with disabled people, service providers and policy makers: tutors, lecturers, student services or welfare officers, disabled students advisers, learning support co-ordinators, careers officers, disabled students and their families or enablers.

Disability Co-ordination Programme

http://www.disc.org.au/DCO/INDEX.htm

The Disability Coordination officer (DCO) provides an information and referral service for people with disabilities who wish to access post-secondary education or vocational education and training, including traineeships, apprenticeships and graduate employment opportunities.  The Program complements the Regional Disability Liaison Officer (RDLO) initiative which has been operating since 1994.

Regional Disability Liaison Officer (RDLO) initiative

http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/programmes/rdlo.htm

The Regional Disability Liaison Officer (RDLO) initiative provides information, coordination and referral services for people with a disability interested in or enrolled in post-school education and training.

Fair Go in Training for people with a disability: Meeting your Australian Quality Training Framework Obligations

Qld Department of Employment and Training, 2002

http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/vet/docs/fairGo.pdf

This is a detailed guide covering:

• Reasonable adjustment – a process approach

• Provide detailed information to students

• Get the most out of your enrolment process

• Be flexible in your training options

• Working out your support capacity

• Be rigorous and fair in assessment

This resource also has extensive appendices on specific strategies for meeting the needs of students with a disability.

Making It Happen

A Resource Book for People who have a Disability and who are Considering Post-school Options

N. Birch, M. Rothery, C. Waltrowicz, C.

The Victorian Regional Disability Liaison Unit, 1998

http://www.deakin.edu.au/extern/rdlu/

This book is available on PDF and HTML.  Making It Happen is a resource book and planner for students who have a disability who are considering post-school options. It has been produced in response to queries from students who have a disability and practitioners in the education system and human services sector.