Assistive Technology Trainer

Main duties

1. Using appropriate Assistive Technologies, support students in developing learning strategies to overcome difficulties associated with their disability or long-term medical condition, to help develop motivation and the confidence of the student to reach academic goals.
2. Responsible for providing training to improve some or all of the following areas:
   • Research skills
   • Effective reading and note taking
   • Critical thinking skills
   • Academic writing techniques
   • Planning, structuring and editing of work
   • Revision, mind mapping and exam preparation skills
3. To deliver training in assistive technologies, appropriate to the students’ needs, to help promote independent learning and progression.
4. To develop and roll-out training resources in the use of assistive technologies to staff and students and liaise with students and staff throughout the University to help develop effective service provision.
5. Keep up to date and learn new assistive software and hardware as appropriate, attending any relevant training or meetings to develop existing skills.
6. Assist in the design and delivery of training and awareness sessions to wider university community, including support providers, academic and non-academic staff and the wider student population.
7. Maintain confidential records, including an electronic record of all contact with students and take into consideration the safeguarding of these, whilst adhering to the requirements of Data Protection legislation in Northern Ireland.
8. Comply with the University’s equal opportunities policy, promoting equal opportunity in all aspects of the role.
9. Comply with the University’s health and safety policies whilst on campus.
10. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislative developments and best practice within the post-16 education sector in relation to support for disabled students.
11. Any other duties as may reasonably be required including occasional evening and weekend work to support Student Wellbeing events and activities.

Educational and Experience

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

OR

• Relevant experience in teaching or training people with a disability or Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) on assistive software and/or hardware.
• Application and qualification documentation

Previous Experience/Training

Essential

• Experience in teaching or training computer software and hardware in an educational setting or in the workplace on a 1:1 basis or to small groups
• Experience and knowledge of additional support aids for students with specific learning difficulties including assistive technology.
• Experience in teaching or training on assistive software and hardware including Read & Write Gold, MindView, Audio Notetaker, Livescribe and DVRs.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting students in higher education with the development of learning strategies and appropriate study techniques.
• Experience in technical support, problem solving and finding solutions to technical issues.

Job Related Achievements

Essential

• Experience in the development of learning plans
• Experience of undertaking assessments to establish specific requirements of individuals appropriate to their needs.
• Application and Interview

Desirable

• Experience in the development of learning plans appropriate to the needs of students in the higher education environment and which include the development of strategies and techniques to promote independent learning and progression.
• Application and Interview

Inter-personal Skills

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills and ability to communicate with students on a one to one basis using exceptional interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of the responsibilities associated with maintaining confidentiality and an awareness of the requirements under data protection legislation
• Application and Interview

Desirable

• Ability to devise creative problem-solving strategies.
• Application and Interview

Other Factors

Essential

• All successful candidates will be expected to complete an Access NI (Enhanced disclosure) check
• Access to transport to meet the needs of the post
• Application and Interview

Desirable

• Flexibility over working hours
• Application and Interview