Beaumont College

Technology plays an integral role in supporting the skill development and learning of our Learners. We have an excellent range of equipment and software which enables Learners to access the curriculum. The department works closely with the communication, therapy and education teams to ensure that Learners who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication devices can access the college’s IT and other technology. Assistive Technology is a strength of the college and is used to good effect within the curriculum and to promote independence.

Beaumont College’s Technology team actively work with mainstream technology companies, Higher Education researchers and specialist manufacturers to improve access to technology for our Learners. We have recently been part of two high profile projects – the’ Wheeltop Project’ and the ‘Mobility Bridge’ project and are actively pursuing new development opportunities.
Technology resources include:

• A college wide wireless network, e-mail and internet access
• A good stock of high specification laptop and desktop computers
• Specialist software and symbols accessible from all education computers
• A flagship accessible computer room equipped with height adjustable desks and a variety of assessment equipment
• Computer rooms are accessible to learners outside of ‘working hours’ both during the evenings and at weekends
• Networked Apple Mac machines which are used for digital imaging, film editing and music technology
• A variety of high quality digital cameras, camcorders and voice recorders
• Interactive whiteboards and large touch monitors
• A wide range of access equipment e.g. joystick trackers, switches, Intellikeys and other accessible keyboards
• Accessible computers known as “wheeltop’s” are used to provide voice output communication, accessible computing and an interface to Environmental Control Systems via a variety of access methods, these devices are normally joined to the college’s network
• A good selection of specialist software e.g. Boardmaker, The Grid 2, Read and Write Gold

The department has an IT Helpdesk where Learners can access technology staff to help them resolve any IT or special access issues they may have. The Technology department also has two technology specialists or ‘technologists’ dedicated to making IT more accessible for Learners, this includes utilisation of wheelchair mounted computers or “wheeltops” and developing custom access solutions in collaboration with Learners and colleagues from the transdisciplinary team.

• Beaumont College technology team members Liz Howarth and Rohan Slaughter gave a presentation at Communication Matters 2009 about the Scope Wheeltop project, to download the presentation click here (6.55mb)