The National Technology & Special Needs Advisory Service is based in the Technology Department of the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf. This is a permanent full-time service, established in September 2000, under the auspices of the Special Education Section of the Department of Education and Science. The service is funded by the Department of Education with additional financial, administrative and technical support from the Central Remedial Clinic.
The Advisor is Ann Jackson, a teacher with a wide range of experience working with students with special needs at both primary and post-primary level. While working as a teacher she had organised and delivered in-service training for teachers and other personnel working with students with special educational needs.
The service can be accessed by anyone involved in supporting the education of students with special needs in pre-school, primary and post-primary settings. This can include teachers, therapists, psychologists, parents and Special Needs Assistants as well as interested personnel in educational establishments, Colleges, special interest groups, service provision and support organisations.
The services offers:
1. Advice and information on use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Assistive Technology (AT) and other technologies and devices as an educational support for students with special needs. This may include
Some of this information as well as links to other information sources is available on the Advisor’s website www.SENTech.ie
2. Specific seminars, lectures and workshops to groups of educationalists where necessary and practical.
These talks are often arranged by regional Education Centres, Colleges of Education and other educational establishments, Special Interest Groups, Special Needs Organisations and Service Providers. Information on these talks will be available through the relevant websites and mail shots of groups mentioned above as well as SESS. Information is also available on the Advisor’s website www.SENTech.ie
Seminars and talks for groups can be arranged if there are sufficient numbers of attendees and a relevant focus group and can be held anywhere around the country. It must be remembered that from a practical viewpoint that there is only one Advisor covering the whole country.
If you are interested in organising a seminar or information session for your school, College or group or need more details please get in touch with the Advisor at ajackson@crc.ie or via website www.SENTech.ie.
If you have a query on an issue regarding Technology for a student with special needs you can contact the Advisor by
Mail: Ann Jackson, Central Remedial, Clinic, Clontarf, Dublin 5
Phone: 01 - 8542545
Email: ajackson@crc.ie
Web: www.SENTech.ie