IT2000 programme targets special needs

More than £3.5 million of the £25 million funds for the Schools IT2000 programme has been allocated to special needs initiatives, the recent Disability Information Day conference heard.

Anne Phelan, national co-ordinator with the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), told the conference that the funding has been used to increase the level of basic grant and per-capita funding for special schools and classes and for schools with special teaching allocations for Travellers.

"Most recently, resource and learning support teachers at primary level were given a grant for the purchase of hardware and software," she said. Phelan pointed out that funds also exist for individual special needs pupils who are integrated into classes in mainstream schools.

In addition to funding allocation, the NCTE is encouraging all special needs teachers to take basic introductory courses in information and communications technology (ICT).

These courses would include learning support for teachers in "ICT and special needs target areas such as mild learning disability or autistic spectrum disorders," she said.

Phelan highlighted "support" as one of the biggest issues for teachers of special needs students. These teachers "often feel isolated, helpless and frustrated", she said.

This support is now available through the special needs sections and "talk" facilities on the ScoilNet website.

ScoilNet has been recently redesigned to make it more accessible and to facilitate the use of screen readers by the visually impaired.