Innovations in Assistive Technology to Support Learning

1. Abi James is a researcher and consultant on how technology can help overcome dyslexia, special educational needs and disabilities. Diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 9, Abi used computers and technology throughout her education to enable her to successfully complete her PhD and achieve in the workplace. Over the past decade she has led a number of projects to develop, deploy and evaluate how both mainstream and assistive technology removes barriers to learning. Now working as consultant, Abi frequently presents to conferences, and contributes to articles and papers on the latest technology developments. Abi chairs the BDA New Technology Committee and is a Visiting Research Fellow with the Accessibility Group at the University of Southampton. BDA New Technologies Committee Abi James

2. BDA New Technologies Committee Victoria Crivelli Victoria was chair from 2002 - 2004, and vice chair 2004 - 2007. In May 2013 , following a period of ill health, she retired from Worcestershire Children's Services Learning Support Team and her role as Training Coordinator and Specialist Teacher for Dyslexia, ICT and Resources. For 30 years she has been involved in supporting pupils in school, their parents and carers, training teachers and teaching assistants in the LA as well as within her own team. She has taught at all Key stages. Victoria also had a specialist role in Dyslexia provision. Previous posts involved teaching at Sp.L.D. Centres. She is passionate about supporting all young people with learning difficulties and especially those who are Dyslexic. She continues to work in a voluntary capacity with the local Dyslexia association. Victoria has written books, articles and software reviews. She has presented talks and seminars to a variety of audiences ranging from local support groups to national events such as BETT.

3. BDA New Technologies Committee E.A. Draffan E.A. is a specialist in Dyslexia and Assistive Technology and a consultant for several projects linked to the use of assistive technologies including carrying out research at the University of Southampton. Trained as Speech and Language Therapist, EA worked for several years with various communication disabilities. She has since worked with disabled students in Further and Higher Education, set up an Assistive Technology Centre, developed a database of assistive technologies, and run training sessions and workshops on the subject.

4. BDA New Technologies Committee Di Hillage Di taught maths plus some science and I.C.T. in state and independent schools in the South West of England for over twenty-five years and has been involved with computers in schools since they first appeared. Di obtained the RSA Diploma in 1997 and has since taken a special interest in helping those who find maths difficult. Since joining the Committee in 1997 she has edited the committee‘s newsletters, produced a book on ways in which computers may help to overcome maths problems and has given a number of talks on the topic at BETT and elsewhere.

5. Arran started working for the BDA as a volunteer in 2008, and joined BDA staff in 2010 as Project and Membership Officer. He is Chair of Leicestershire Dyslexia Association. Arran is severely dyslexic and understands the problems and barriers that dyslexic individuals face. He uses assistive technology in his work, his studies, and in everyday living, and is very keen to spread information about how helpful it can be. BDA New Technologies Committee Arran Smith

6. Neil is a graduate of Cardiff University School of Psychology and the founder of LexAble, an assistive software company. Neil, who is severely dyslexic, made use of assistive technology from an early age, developing personalised coping strategies to put him on a level playing field with his peers. He is a regular speaker at industry events around the world, dealing with topics including coping strategies, assistive technology and his experiences of dyslexia in school, university and the workplace. He was named as the BDA's Young Achiever of the Year (2010) and Cardiff University Graduate Entrepreneur of the Year (2011). In 2012, Neil and his company received AbilityNet's Technology4Good Accessibility Award in recognition of his achievements in the field of dyslexia support and assistive technology. As an enthusiastic user of a wide range of modern technology (assistive and otherwise), Neil enjoys putting new technologies through their paces. BDA New Technologies Committee Neil Cottrell

7. Malcolm completed 22 years working as an English Specialist in a special school for dyslexics. From the start, he recognised the importance of ICT support for the pupils and pioneered the use of text-to-speech and speech recognition in particular. He has undertaken research into the current use of assistive technology in British schools and is keen to promote the widest possible use of AT with all pupils experiencing literacy difficulties that obstruct their progress and reduce their independence. He has trained, lectured and been published both in the UK and abroad. BDA New Technologies Committee Malcolm Litten

8. Ronnie was a practising teacher in the Birmingham Education Authority for over 30 years. Her job involved supporting pupils, teachers, Sencos and LSAs in schools and also delivering training in up to date practices in Special needs including dyslexia. As IT coordinator for the service she frequently delivered courses and worked with pupils, staff and parents to advise and teach about software for SEN. After gaining her AMBDA and MEd in Dyslexia Studies at Birmingham University , she is still has ongoing involvement in the implementation of the AMBDA section of the course which involves on site lectures to course members. She is independently involved with a number of Primary and Secondary schools to assess pupils for dyslexia and other special needs followed by some modelling of teaching strategies and staff training including the use of Assistive technology and she also administers tests for access arrangements.
 BDA New Technologies Committee Veronica Shoebotham

9. BDA New Technologies Committee Ian Litterick (Associate member) Ian founded iansyst Ltd, selling educational and training software in 1983 and has specialised in technology for dyslexia since 1994.  iansyst runs websites including www.dyslexic.com and www.re-adjust.co.uk which aim to give objective and comparative information about the different ways that technology can help dyslexic people. Ian takes a particular interest in how public policy and the law affect dyslexic people. He sits on the steering committee of the Right to Read Alliance which pursues the interests of those who want to read but have problems with traditional print.

10. BDA New Technologies Committee Cheryl Dobbs (Associate member) Cheryl supports teachers, parents and children with their use of digital technologies to develop literacy teaching and learning. She also facilitates workshops, presents at conferences and contributes to publications both in the UK and Australia and is particularly interested in the role of technology upon the development of writing within the early primary years. Cheryl is an advocate for the importance of early intervention strategies for helping all children learn successfully and believes that it is the way in which technology is used, and not the technology itself, which facilitates and enhances learning. Although she is now based in Australia, Cheryl still contributes to NTC matters through online involvement.

11. BDA New Technologies Committee Judith Stansfield (Associate member) Judith is a consultant in SEN and ICT, with wide experience of working with parents and teachers who need to find out how ICT can help children and young people with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Judith’s career includes INSET Training Manager at Newcastle SEMERC and SEN ICT Co-ordinator for the Cleveland LEA and is ICT Officer for Dyslexia Network Plus based in Hambleton and Richmondshire areas of North Yorkshire. Judith continues to write books, including Dyslexia:Early Identification, and articles and present seminars and workshops in the UK and abroad. She created and manages, with Jean Hutchins, the bdatech.org website on behalf of the committee.

12. BDA New Technologies Committee Jean Hutchins (Associate member) Jean Hutchins, AMBDA, was a founder member of B.D.A. Computer Committee in 1985 and chair for nine years. She retired in 1999 and returned to the newly named New Technologies Committee in 2006, to find out how to make B.D.A. publications more accessible to assistive technology, particularly Text to Speech, and more easily available to members. That is an on-going task. She is now an Associate Member, excused from attending events, but still active by e-mail. Jean and Judith Stansfield currently maintain the bdatech.org website on our behalf.