WCIT CHARITY REVIEW
TRELOAR SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
10
New iPads deliver life-changing independence
to disabled students
A Treloar’s student
benefiting from one of
the switch-controlled
iPads donated by the
WCIT Charity. With this
technology there is no
boundary to their
learning and education.
Enhanced
technology in
teaching has
resulted in a
positive,
interactive
and engaging
learning
environment
The vision of Treloar School and College is to
enable education for disabled young people
and to create a world where they can learn to
take control of their lives.
iPads at Treloar’s have proved their
usefulness in the education process but, to
deliver the benefits to the most physically-
disabled or sight-impaired students, an
essential further requirement is for tailored
switching and/or the provision of the
larger iPad Pro.
With the support of WCIT, Treloar’s has now
delivered independence in education to 37
students whose visual impairments or lack of
motor skills had previously prevented them
from accessing iPads through conventional
methods. With these modified iPads, which
are now a daily part of life, there is no
boundary to their learning and education.
Students can now independently navigate
and access applications, type messages
using the onscreen keyboard, take photos
and even draw freehand. Learning has
become interactive instead of passive, and
one student tells how she has been
empowered to work independently and to
study for her GCSEs anytime, anywhere.
“With a switch controlled iPad, I can control
all aspects of my work independently.
Previously, I had to ask members of staff to
assist in everything I was doing. This is a
life-changing device,” said Amy.
Use of the enhanced technology in teaching
has resulted in a positive, interactive and
engaging learning environment, where
students collaborate and chat about the
work they are doing, interact with one
another, and participate in class dynamics in
ways that can enrich their learning. The iPads
have become an invaluable tool.
“We would like to express our sincere
gratitude to the Information Technologists.
The value of life-changing improvements to
our students’ ability to communicate and
participate in learning and leisure activities
through having an iPad is enormous – thank
you all.” Judith Conners, Fundraising Manager.