Innovative Practices in AT Training for LD (Dyslexic) Students

Between September and December 2005, we conducted a telephone survey of 455 dyslexic students who had received support under the DSA to identify the equipment supplied, the students’ experiences of using the equipment and their experience of training. In this paper we focus on the training issues raised by the students and, in particular, try to explore the reasons why so many students (53%) failed to take up the offer of training. We identify what consequences this may have and propose some mechanisms for increasing the uptake and, more importantly, the benefits of training. Before we discuss training it is perhaps helpful to highlight some of the key points that emerge from the wider study, identifying the equipment supplied to students and their perception of it; full details can be found in Draffan et al 2006.