You Need
SpecialneedsIT at the NASEN and TES Special Needs Exhibition
"There was a real buzz to the show this year. It was extremely busy; we even had to call in reinforcements on the Friday morning…"
"We have already booked our stand for next year and are looking forward to another successful exhibition!"
So say the
exhibitors at SpecialneedsIT, the showcase for technology that helps
people with special needs to live, learn and communicate.
The show was a resounding success. For exhibitors, who were delighted with the sheer number of visitors keen to discover their resources; for visitors, who had access to a wide range of specialists, products, help and advice all under one roof; and ultimately for the users of technology, who will no doubt benefit from the knowledge and experience gained by their teachers, therapists and carers.
Over five and a half thousand visitors flocked to the Business Design Centre across the two-day exhibition. All Key Stages, early years, special schools, sixth forms, further education institutions and local authorities were well represented and people came from across the UK and from overseas.
What the exhibitors said…
"There was a real buzz to the show this
year. It was extremely busy; we even had to call in reinforcements on the
Friday morning to cope with the overwhelming number of visitors keen to take a
look at our latest product range!
We have always felt that the event is well suited to us as a company producing software for all abilities - and this year's show has proved to many that the NASEN and TES Special Needs Exhibition can continue to stand out in the educational events calendar as one of the highlights of the year."
Neil Andrew, Crick Software
"We exhibited at the NASEN/TES Special Needs Exhibition for the first time this year, not only to meet people from the post-16 sector but to also to meet with suppliers of technology to update our database. The exhibition went very well for us, it was really busy and we made contact with some key people. It was very professionally run by the Inclusive Technology team, we have already booked our stand for next year and are looking forward to another successful exhibition!"
Hannah Fitzpatrick, TechDis
"The show provided Sherston with the opportunity to discuss individual software needs with customers and demonstrate appropriate solutions in a relaxed environment. We found the quality of the visitors on both days to be very high and relevant to our target audience. We look forward to exhibiting again next year!"
James Betts, Sherston
Show Highlights
There was a wide
range of things to see, with technology for sensory loss, communication aids,
software for learners with special needs and access devices to help those with
a physical disability to use a computer.
Widgit gave an interesting outline of their Symbols Inclusion Project during the show's free How-IT-Works seminar programme. The project is the result of collaboration between Warwickshire LEA and Widgit Software to support communication-friendly environments for inclusion in mainstream primaries.
There were several dyslexia specialists at the show, and Swedish company Frolunda Data ABparticularly caused a stir with their assessment and remediation tool, Lexion. The Lexion system is for assessing, stimulating and training individuals with dyslexia, aphasia and other language related disorders and would fit well into mainstream or special education.
Also on display was some exciting new hardware. The new Neo was on display at the AlphaSmart stand. Neo builds on the solid foundation provided by the AlphaSmart 3000, but brings several enhancements including a larger screen, the ability to display large text, and a multi-functional word processor. It is also extremely easy to use, providing an ideal tool to help pupils who need to concentrate on being creative rather than on their handwriting, or on trying to operate a computer.
An exciting new concept in computing was on display at the Inclusive Technology stand. The Inclusive Pelham Sloane Touch PC looks like a flat panel monitor, but contains a computer too - so no need for a separate tower. It has a wireless keyboard and mouse, and also works as a touch screen, to allow for a wide range of accessibility needs. Inclusive also showcased a new rollerball called the BIGtrack that provides an alternative to the standard mouse and is ideal for people without fine motor movement. The roller is chunky and robust enough to be operated using the foot if required.
If that weren't enough, there were several packages
to support teachers in managing their workload and organising their day. Task Associates have
a special timetable software system that was originally designed for a special
needs college. Counterpoint MTC have eSAAMs, a program that helps
teachers collect and assess their pupils' work. Again, it has proved to be
particularly effective in special needs environments.
Advisory services and assessment centres were also in attendance, including Becta, the Government's lead agency for information and communication technology (ICT) in education, Cenmac, the National Autistic Society, and TechDis.
TechDis is a UK educational advisory service in the fields of accessibility and inclusion. They aim to enhance provision for disabled students and staff in further, higher and specialist education through the use of technology. TechDis is funded by JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee). Their website at www.techdis.ac.uk is ideal for anyone with a question regarding technology and disability in post-16 education.
For full details of the companies exhibiting at SpecialneedsIT 2004, see the exhibitor list.