We are very grateful to all our donors whose continued and very valuable support is helping Treloar’s students to engage with their education and build their independence skills. Last year we received a generous donation towards Assistive Technology: the money has been used to purchase equipment and contribute towards the Assistive Technology service at Treloar's.
Assistive Technology at Treloar's
The Assistive Technology team at Treloar's uses engineering, computing and 3D design to help students at Treloar School and College to engage in their education. Working closely with students and therapists, the team devises, sources, adapts or manufactures solutions to improve students’ independence and will use their extensive skills to assist with many challenges a student may face.
These products and systems can range from the simple to the wonderful – but every adaptation makes a big difference. A task as simple as moving between rooms using a powered wheelchair could require a custom-made joystick, a head switch and customised programming or even a device that lets you point with your eyes to control the direction.
The team has a wealth of expertise in physical disability, AAC equipment, mobility solutions and access to IT. They work closely with our therapy professionals in providing a truly comprehensive service, which enhances and supports education and independence.
Dean Hall, an Assistive Technologist at Treloar’s is part of a team of 6. He specialises in high end design and computer access.
“We work with the student and the occupational therapists to find solutions that will give students access to technology, be that a PC, iPad or other device” he says. “Having a library of assessment kit makes an incredible difference because then we can try a range of items with students to identify the one that suits them best – it’s never one size fits all.”
Thanks to the donation, we were able to purchase the following equipment:
Eyegaze devices
The Eyegaze units we had at Treloar's desperately needed a refresh, so the funding was extremely valuable as it allowed us to purchase 3 different brands of Eyegaze unit for use on different devices. Now students are able to try the different versions available and work out what is best for them.
Being able to demonstrate they can use this equipment effectively has meant that 3 students have subsequently been able to get funding for their own Eyegaze unit.
Manfrotto arms and 5 monitor mounts
Manfrotto arms and monitor mounts are essential pieces of kit which we routinely use with our students to support photography and other activities. Manfrotto arms are designed to hold delicate camera equipment, so we can rely on their safety and versatility for mounting equipment such as iPads and document holders for our students. They are durable, with the ability to pivot the iPad or other equipment to the student’s individual needs.
Monitor arms allow students to see a PC screen from a range of positions – so learning doesn’t have to stop when for example, a student is working with a physiotherapist in a standing frame.
Materials for visual impairment pod
We have made a pod which is being used for students with cortical visual impairment. There is research on the use of coloured “tents”, which help students make a massive improvement as it awakens visual senses, and helps students to use their vision better and be more visually aware. We are currently providing this experience in low tech fashion through the orange tent we have made. This has worked well, and we are currently creating a new Interactive Learning Zone which will include an immersive learning room which will recreate this pod in a much more high-tech way and will enable us to change colours to suit the needs of each student.
Gyroscopic mice
This mouse is intended for students who have difficulties in operating a computer mouse with their hands. It provides accurate and intuitive computer access with just small head movements, so can open up many opportunities for our students.
Materials for visual impairment pod
One of the solutions developed recently by our team, is a pod which is being used in class for students with cortical visual impairment. This is on the back of research on the use of coloured “tents”, which suggest that this helps to awaken visual senses and assists students to use their vision better and be more visually aware.
EnvirON starter pack
This is an infra-red environmental controls assessment kit and forms part of our library that students can loan and try out. This equipment helps students learn how to control a TV, radio, lamps or kitchen appliances and access them through their iPad, switches or a scanning remote.
If the trial is successful we will then support the student to secure funding for their own devices.
Assistive Technology Statistics:
In the last year:
- the team looked at 587 bits of kit for repair
- 75 adaptations of existing kit
- 659 requests for new equipment including something made from scratch. Some of this is as a result of an assessment for classroom access which takes place twice a year.
- 109 requirements to support students with communication aids-mainly mounting on their wheelchair
- 54 requests to look at independence driving of wheelchair. The Occupational Therapy department teaches students to drive. The factory default setting is fast, so we reduce the speed so that it is safer and easier to drive. To assist with driving and encourage motivation, we offer different joystick knobs, which are 3D printed to suit each student.
- 44 requests to look at switch access items such as scissors or switch adaptable toys
