Links
SEN - ICT and Assistive Technology
Irish Software Suppliers
| Link | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Andrews Award Systems | Based in Dublin, are the resellers for all the R-E-M software in Ireland. Catalogues for R-E-M products are available online from www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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| Diskovery Educational Software | Based in Portmarnock, they have a wide range of software and will send titles on 28-day approval to schools. It has a comprehensive Special Needs section, divided into Primary and Post-Primary. |  |
| Easy PC | Based in Co. Clare, they provide all products including Laptops and or computers which comprise the Assistive Technology Solution. They provide the full range of technologies ranging from users with physical devices (keyboards, touchscreens, adaptive mice etc) to software for visually impaired, learning disabilities. |
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| Edtech | Based in Mayo, Edtech is a reseller for all the Crick products. It also sells IEP Writer 2, and has a comprehensive Special Needs section, with titles matched to categories of need. |  |
| Jackson Technology | Based in Dublin and have launched a new website dealing specifically with literacy and dyslexia products. They offer a wide range of software and assistive technology to help with dyslexia, reading problems & literacy issues, from early learners to adulthood. |  |
Assistive Technology Sites
| Link | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| AbilityNet | AbilityNet is a UK site, offering factsheets and training related to Assistive Technology. It also has a nice 'Quick Links' feature. |  |
| Abledata | Abledata is a US-based site containing a database of over 20,000 Assistive Technology products. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including price and company information. |
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| Apple People With Special Needs | This is the Apple Macintosh site for all users with a disability – also very comprehensive. 5 categories: Vision, Hearing, Physical / Motor, Literacy & Learning, Language & Communication |  |
| Assist Ireland | Comhairle's assistive technology database, Assist Ireland, currently contains details of about 6000 high-tech and low-tech assistive technology products or aids available in Ireland. |
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| Assistive Technology Ireland | Assistive Technology Ireland has an extensive database of AT products for all settings, and also lists 187 suppliers of 1978 different AT products. |  |
| Central Remedial Clinic | The CRC operates 2 schools in the Dublin area for students with physical disability, and has many other services besides. It operates a useful Technology Services section, which includes Educational Technology. |  |
| Centre for Applied Special Technology | CAST is a not-for-profit education research and development organization that uses technology to make education more flexible and accessible for all students, especially those with disabilities. It promotes what it calls the Universal Design for Learning, and offers professional development in UDL-based classroom practices. |  |
| Easy PC Assistive Technology | EasyPC are based in Co. Clare and provide assistive technology and additional services which they feel are integral to the correct implementation of assistive technologies. |
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| Enable Ireland | Enable Ireland site gives a good definition for Assistive Technology |  |
| Jackson Technology | Jackson Technology is based in Dublin and is a leading supplier of Assistive Technology in Ireland. |  |
| Laptops Initiative | This site is dedicated to sharing the learning from an Irish initiative aimed at enhancing literacy and inclusion in post-primary schools through the mobile use of ICT. The site is also intended as a forum for opinion and discussion on the integration of mobile ICT and related matters. |
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| Microsoft Assistive Technology | Microsoft has a good deal of information on types of Assistive Technology, and products for each of 5 categories: Visual, Mobility, Hearing, Learning & Language |  |
| Microsoft Resource Guide | This is a very useful site which gives tips on adjusting your computer for learning needs. Click on the OS or program that applies (Microsoft products only), and click on the links that appear. |  |
| National Centre for Technology in Education | Go to National Centre for Technology in Education website The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) provides ICT advice and support for teachers and parents of children with special education needs. They have significant information and advice relating to assistive technology and ICT training and resources. |
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| Try-it | Try-It is an Irish-based on-line library of electronic assistive technology. Members may borrow devices for trial and/or training purposes. In additional, this initiative provides features to strengthen and support professional networking and training in the area of electronic assistive technology, e.g. Peer Support, Product Reviews, Forum, and notifictation of training events. The library is non-disability specific, serving individuals across the disability sector. |
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General Education Websites In Ireland
Republic of Ireland
| Link | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Education & Skills | The Department website is a mine of information and has links to Special Education. It also includes press releases from the Minister, Department circulars and a database of all schools. |
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| GiftedKids.ie | This is an Irish website for parents and teachers of pupils with exceptional ability. It has a section for teachers which contains some resources and links. |
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| NCCA: National Council for Curriculum & Assessment | The Guidelines for Teachers of Students with General Learning Disabilities are available in pdf format on the NCCA Website. Also this site has the full 1999 Primary School Curriculum available. |  |
| NCTE: National Centre for Technology in Education | NCTE have a very comprehensive Special Needs & ICT section, and advice sheets for a range of disabilities. Also NCTE have 5 different SEN-related ICT courses, covering Learning Support, Mild GLD, Moderate, Severe & Profound GLD, Hard of Hearing and a Basics course. |
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| NEPS: National Educational Psychological Service | The NEPS page on the DES website contains useful information on the service, including relevant forms and guidelines relating to the scheme for commissioning private individual psychological assessments, and a panel of psychologists. |  |
| NEWB: National Education Welfare Board | The FAQs on the details of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 are a good summary of the Act’s main points. Also contains information on the role of the NEWB and its 73 EWOs (Education Welfare Officers). |
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| NPC: National Parents Council (Post- Primary) | Basic information on the NPC Post-Primary. |
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| NPC: National Parents Council (Primary) | NPC have a Special Education Group with information and contact details available here. It also has a number of useful links on its Home Page. |  |
| Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) | The PPDS, LDS, SLSS and a number of other primary and post-primary support services have now merged, to provide a cross-sectoral support service for schools and teachers, entitled the Professional Development Service for Teachers. |
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| science.ie |
Science.ie is a resource for people of all ages who are interested in science. It brings together information on many areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Ireland for students, parents and teachers amongst others. |
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| Scoilnet | Scoilnet is the official education portal of the DES. It has an extremely comprehensive Special Needs section for teachers |
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| SEC: State Examinations Commission | This new website gives information on all aspects of the Irish State Examination system - incorporating Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational. It lists the exam timetables also in advance. |  |
Northern Ireland
| Link | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Belfast Education & Library Board |  |
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| Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment(NI) | The sister body of the NCCA, it is a very easy site to navigate, with specific areas for teachers, students, parents and employers. |  |
| Department of Education (NI) | Very useful for making a comparison with provision in the Republic. The Reports of the Task Groups on Autism and Dyslexia are available in the Special Interest section. |  |
| North-Eastern Education & Library Board |  |
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| South-Eastern Education & Library Board |  |
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| Southern Education & Library Board |  |
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| Western Education & Library Board |  |