The Tor Bank school in Belfast, Northern Ireland is an excellent example of a school that uses assistive technology to improve the education and comfort of their students. Tor Bank is a special school, that individualizes education for each child’s unique needs. The school is able to provide education for students who’s needs might not have been met in the public school setting.
Tor Bank school has equipment and technology that public schools in the area do not have, such as eye tracking software. The school actively works to incorporate technology as soon as the pupils enter the school at age three to get them comfortable with technology and also show them the many ways technology can be used to further learning.
The video linked below discusses how Tor Bank includes technology into the classroom, and some of the assistive technology they use with their students to benefit their learning.
Tor Bank offers some examples of technology and assistive tech that can be used in the classroom for students with Cerebral Palsy to help them access the General Curriculum.
A technology device that Tor Bank has, and that most schools have, is interactive whiteboards. In the video, a student is seen using their hands to color on the interactive white board. Students with Cerebral Palsy, who have muscle movement difficulties may have trouble holding a traditional pencil, crayon, or markers. The interactive white board allows the students to use their hands as a writing/drawing tool. If a classroom does not have access to an interactive whiteboard, Ipads can also be used.
Eye Gaze is also something that Tor Bank school use for students who cannot communicate verbally. Eye Gaze helps students learn cause and effect i.e if I look at this item, this will happen. Once children are able to do this, Eye Gaze can be used as a communication device. Students can look at a particular symbol and a voice can speak on their behalf.
During Fall Semester 2018, the authors of this site did a semester abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We were able to visit the Tor Bank School and were able to see this technology used in action. The Tor Bank School is a great School that uses technology in all aspects of the school foster a more inclusive environment. To learn more about Tor Bank School you can visit their website at http://www.torbankschool.org.uk/
Technology for Students with Cerebral Palsy 