Sensory Support, VST
‘Virtual Teaching Assistant’ Support Group
By Emma Basudev.
The last few weeks have been busy, since the emerging lock-down restrictions easing, it feels as though this summer term is one of change. Things are beginning to feel on a trajectory where ‘business as normal’ is resuming, although perhaps things might always be a little different. Part of this adaptation has been experienced in the form of a newly established ‘Virtual Teaching Assistant’ Support Group, which was led by two of the Vision Support Team’s Higher-Level Teacher Assistants (HLTA’s). The aim of the group is to offer a space where any TA’s working with children and young people with a vision impairment in mainstream education or resource-based provision can come together to share concerns and ask advice and feel supported by their peers in this vital role.
The topics of this first session covered: the most commonly experienced visual condition in Birmingham mainstream settings of Nystagmus, an eye condition which can have various degrees of impact upon the learner, Dolphin Easy Reader software and RNIB Bookshare, the adaptation of resources for ‘access to learning, learning to access’ and also the A2E website.
The attendance of the first session was fantastic, and we hope that the next session, which is to be held virtually on Friday 9th July 2021- between 13:30 and 15:00, will be just as successful.
Please contact Karen Barguss for more information about the TA Support Group on:
karen.barguss@birmingham.gov.uk
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Many thanks for reading this blog.
The Vision Support Team.