Specialist ICT training

If you receive equipment through Disabled Students Allowances (DSA), there may be funding for you to receive specialist Information Communication Technology (ICT) training.  If you are not eligible for DSA equipment you may find it useful to investigate some free resources.

The Northampton Assessment Centre (NAC) can arrange ICT training to help you make full use of your new specialist software and equipment. Training sessions will usually be on your own computer.

Book an ICT training session

Make an appointment with our ICT trainer at a time to suit your needs. Appointments are available Tuesday to Friday starting from 9am, finishing up to 5pm.

Before your training session you should:

• Let us know your up-to-date contact details
• Check to see that you don't have any of your equipment missing, or if you think it might not be working correctly
• Let us know as soon as you can if you are unable to make your first appointment. You can call 01604 892668, fax 01604 892667, or send an email to nac@northampton.ac.uk

Before your training session your trainer will:

• Check the amount of hours of funding you have been allocated
• Confirm with your Funding Body that they are able to pay for the sessions
• Ask to see a copy of your DSA Assessment of Needs report; this will help us to customise your training sessions

During your training session please:

• Tell you trainer if you would like to take a break
• Tell your trainer if you would like to record the training session on your recorder
• Confirm with your trainer if you would like to receive some short notes on the areas covered; notes are usually avaialble on NILE or can be emailed to you

After your training session:

• Practise using the programs and equipment you have been shown during your training; sometimes your trainer may leave you a short exercise to do in your own time to help you start using your equipment on your own
• Note down any further questions you have for your trainer
• Let your trainer know if you would like to go over something again

What is the ICT training that the NAC offers?

Your Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) report will usually make recommendations for one-to-one training on any recommended equipment, especially if you have not previously used it.

The training is intended to save you time, so you don't have to read the manual or spend a long time working things out for yourself. Your training will also often show you features which you might not otherwise have found. This training is specific training on your assistive technology and is not intended to show you how to use standard programs used by all students.

The University of Northampton Information Services department offers free training courses to all University of Northampton students on how to use standard software.

How will the training be delivered?

We tailor ICT training sessions to your individual requirements. This means that, depending on your individual requirements and location, training sessions can be between one hour and two hours long. Wherever possible, we try to deliver training on your own equipment so that we can help you to customise it to your needs.

Where will the training be delivered?

Ideally our trainers will travel to you, so that your equipment can be directly set up and customised to your individual needs. We can also offer training sessions in our training room, which is based in the Student Centre at Park Campus. Alternatively, we can book a teaching room at Avenue Campus; however, some items of equipment cannot be transported to Avenue Campus.

What kind of software and equipment can you offer training for?

We can offer a range of training on a variety of software and equipment including text-to-speech software, speech recognition software, mind mapping software and digital voice recorders.

Who carries out the training?

Angela Ashpole, who is an experienced trainer and assessor, delivers the ICT training sessions.  Angela is also responsible for providing guidance to staff in producing accessible information.

How can I book an appointment?

You can contact the Northampton Assessment Centre in person by visiting the Student Centre. Alternatively you can call us on 01604 892668, fax us on 01604 892667, or send us an email to nac@northampton.ac.uk. We will ask for your contact details, and about your DSA funding. If you are a student at The University of Northampton, you may prefer to contact the Access Ability team who will complete a referral form for you.

Who pays for this training?

The cost of your training is usually covered by your Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), which is administered by your Funding Body. The current rate is £70 an hour for the academic year 2011/12. Your Funding Body will usually be Student Finance England or the NHS Student Grants Unit; your trainer will contact your Funding Body to authorise payment.