Technologies supporting people with learning difficulties: the hidden disability

Barbara Landsberg

Everywhere, everyday, many Australians struggle with at least one reading or writing task required of them. OECD data reported in 2001 stated that "almost 50% of Australians aged 16-65 do not have the necessary literacy or numeracy levels to deal with present-day work requirements". Australian Council of Educational Research findings, also reported in 2001, state that "more than 30% of Australian children entering high school cannot read or write properly" and "the lowest 10% of students in Year 10 have not improved their reading since Year 4".

Is it any wonder that Assistive Technology Advisory Services and practitioners around Australia are increasingly being asked to provide advice on technologies to compensate for the difficulties people experience with reading and writing?

This workshop will provide an overview of the key groups of technologies which are available to assist students and adults who experience these difficulties.

Participants will also see demonstrations of key technologies to gain an understanding of the support and compensatory role played by each of the following:

The place of voice recognition software and useful free recources available for download from the Internet will also be discussed.