Archives for All

AAC Methods

Background People who participate in Sense Scotland support and services have communication support needs due to a combination of: learning and physical disabilities sensory impairment including deafblindness autism complex health care needs mental health needs The Sense Scotland Service Users Consultation Group began meeting in 2004 with a small group of people supported by Sense Scotland. In 2014 it celebrated its tenth year anniversary and re-launched with a new name “Our Voice”, new logo and website. Today there are several regional Our Voice meetings in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Glasgow and recently in North Ayrshire. Our Voice asks people who are
Read More

Skills Development Scotland – Modern Apprenticeships

Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeships (MA) are all about learning while you work – and earning at the same time. At its core, a Modern Apprenticeship is a job like any other. But as well as getting paid, apprentices gain loads of practical work experience as part of a highly structured training programme. At the same time, they work towards a qualification that will really boost their careers. Now there’s a brand new apprenticeship for pupils moving into S5 who want to get a head-start in their career. A Foundation Apprenticeship takes two years to complete, and during this time students spend
Read More

Aspire Consultancy

Established in 1999, Aspire Consultancy is a specialist supplier of assistive technology for vision impairment, dyslexia and voice input solutions with a reputation for providing a high quality advice and training service. Based in York, Aspire Consultancy serve corporate, educational and private clients across the UK. Telephone Training: Aspire now provides telephone training on all major access software systems over the telephone. Price: £25 per hour or 5 sessions for £100. For more information, please visit: http://www.aspire-consultancy.co.uk/
Read More

Making written web content accessible using text readers

By Aurora Betony Following ‘Writing for a Dyslexic Audience’, I’ve written a couple of guides on text readers. Text readers are software programs that read written text out loud.  They are also known as ‘Text-to-speech technology’ or TTS.  Some of the programs can do other things too, like customise the appearance of the text or make audio recordings.  So they are very useful for anyone who finds reading difficult. Text readers can either be built into websites / blogs or downloaded onto a device or USB stick.  So if you want to make your website or blog more dyslexia-friendly, you
Read More

Dyslexia Alert Cards by Aurora Betony

Dyslexia Alert Cards By Aurora Betony Dyslexia Scotland is piloting the Dyslexia Alert Card shown below I think it will: help dyslexic people to ask for the help they need help dyslexic people and others communicate successfully with each other raise dyslexia awareness What does the card say on it? that you have dyslexia some things you might need help with that the person reading it should ask you how to help you details of Dyslexia Scotland’s helpline and website. How I use the card The card is the size of a credit card so I carry it around with me
Read More

We need to move forward from a negative medical model definition for dyslexia

The following blog is by Stephen McCue. Hi hope you are all feeling fab out there. We need to move past a medical model definition of dyslexia that tells us we are broken. A definition that tells us we as dyslexics are the problem.It’s a model that sees us being segregated, marginalized and denied access to an education together with non dyslexics in an inclusive learning environment. It’s our education system that fails dyslexics not being dyslexic itself. We need to nurture not remediate.  We need teachers in every classroom trained to enable us to learn. That’s why I support and
Read More

Blog: Writing for a Dyslexic Audience

The following blog is by Aurora Betony.  I am a dyslexic adult.  I write self-help resources for dyslexic adults.  My newest resource is a guide on how to write dyslexia-inclusive material.  This guide is not about how to design a dyslexia-inclusive document e.g. size of font, typeface, line spacing.  There’s already plenty of good guidance available on that[1].  My guide is about how to make the language of a written document accessible for dyslexic people.  My guide is in 2 sections: Plain English e.g. sentence length, word length, choice of vocabulary. Other aspects of language and style such as figures
Read More

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

CALL Scotland has developed five short online learning modules for people who would like to learn more about augmentative and alternative communication. Click here to find out more infromation about the modules
Read More

Case Study: Rachael Monk – Inclusive Communication Advisory Group

Rachael with her senior PA – Michelle Rachael was born with Cerebral Palsy and this resulted in her being unable to control any of her limbs and that she has no speech. I have been supporting Rachael as both her advocate and less often as her adviser for almost 20 years.  I first began working both with and for Rachael when she had problems with appropriate support at Annan Academy. I know that to use the word “inspirational” when related to disabled people is frowned upon but the plain and simple fact is that she is just that – inspirational!!
Read More

Visual Impairment Awareness Training

Visualise Training and Consultancy are running Visual Impairment Awareness training this Autumn. The course is designed to empower and enable you to: Understand the main eye conditions and the importance of eye health Use appropriate language and effective communication – is it ok to say “see you later”? Confidently guide a person with a visual impairment Make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 Ensure your services are accessible for people with sight loss Date Glasgow – 26th October 2016 Booking Details You can book your place on the Visualise Training and Consultancy website or via email. Cost per attendee: £95.00
Read More