UK Projects

  

RNC is involved in a number of UK based projects, covering anything form supporting visually impaired undergraduates, to working with lone parents who have a visual impairment in the transition to employment.

Project name: Alternative Format Media

Objectives of the Project

In order to improve the overall progress opportunities for those learners who need Alternative Format Media (AFM), the project will aim to:-

• Produce a set of guidelines for production for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) using a range of formats
• Assist those institutions who currently do not have a procedure or process for production of AFM
• Ensure that feeder schools within the area have IAG in appropriate format
• Ensure that those courses where there are LLDD have content in an appropriate format.
• Ensure that employers where appropriate have information an appropriate format.
• To improve the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of production of AFM within the network

 

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Project name: VLE Development

Objectives of the Project

• To develop an inclusive on-line learning environment to enable blind and visually impaired learners to engage in on-line learning in an equal basis with their sighted peers
• To pilot this environment within RNC and all colleges with a range of institutions within the LLN, for example University of Wolverhampton, Worcester College, Hereford College Technology, Kidderminster College and any LLN institutions who may be interested and/or have learners with a visual impairment.
• To investigate transferability between institutions (such as the above) and levels of learning for those who are blind or visually impaired.  This transferability would be both in terms of content and technical aspects.

We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other educational institutions to carry out further work on developing accessibility and investigating pedagogical aspects.

 

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Project name: Work placements for undergraduates with a visual impairment

Objectives of the Project

To work with University of Worcester (and other regional universities) to investigate this.  We have identified 3 aspects:

1.  The university trying to facilitate the placement
2.  The employer who will be offering the placement
3.  The student who needs a meaningful placement that will contribute to the overall learning experience.

Aspects to investigate could include:

• An audit of students with disabilities seeking work placements or who have undertaken work placements and their experiences.
• The support available within the university
• The perception of employers about issues around a person with a visual impairment in the work place undertaking a work placement
• What support mechanisms are available via the DSA? 
• What experiences have been for students with a VI doing a work placement?

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Project name:  Engaging lone parents with a visual impairment in distance learning for transition to employment or self-employment

Objectives of the Project

This project responds to the challenge presented in the Department for Work and Pensions Welfare Reform (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/docs/Chapter3-Helping_lone_parents.pdf)
 “Helping lone parents return to the labour market is the most effective way to ensure their social inclusion and the best route out of poverty for them and their children. Additionally, the increase in sustainable employment that results in the long term raises the productive potential of the economy, and these gains are spread more evenly throughout society.”

RNC currently offers a flexible distance learning programme within its curriculum portfolio which enables learners to develop the skills necessary for employment within the Administration, IT and Sport and Recreation fields.  The programme enables learners to work from home using a computer with a broadband connection with periodic two day residential courses at RNC at key points in the programme.  There is a daily help-line available by telephone.  There is also the facility for staff at RNC to take control of the learner’s computer by using remote access to provide additional support and to diagnose difficulties.

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Project name: Secure online learning

Objectives of the Project 

A prison has indicated its intention to set up a Braille production unit as part of its education and industry programme.  In order to be an informed production unit the institution will need an awareness programme to understand the requirements of a braille user.  The RNC would like to use this opportunity to produce a VI awareness programme that can be delivered at a distance.  The project aims to include, but look beyond Braille production.

To plan, produce and pilot a VI awareness programme that will include a resource pack to be delivered at a distance to staff and prisoners in a prison setting.

Work collaboratively with prison staff to ensure that material produced is of high quality at materials by producing a programme designed to create an awareness of:

• issues related to visual impairment and other print disabilities
• the possible alternate formats that can be used and their advantages and disadvantages
• equipment/resources used by VI and print disabled people to access and use alternate format materials

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Project name:  The impact of the inaccessibility of Social Networking Sites on learners who are visually impaired and are in education or training. (VI Web 2 Technology)

Objectives of the project

How does this project support the National Improvement Strategy objectives or other strategic priorities?
“Raising Expectations” - 5.13 Peer guidance is another example of how different approaches to advice and guidance can help give young people a good understanding of the options available to them. Young people like getting information about courses from peers who are currently following or have recently completed them; this can happen, for example, on visits to providers or by young people who are studying post-16 going back into schools to talk to pupils.

The use of Web2 technology is becoming an important part of e-learning. 
“E-learning Strategy for the FE Sector”- April 2006

This proposal is linked to:

• Promoting employability
• Equality and diversity
• Promoting community cohesion