[duxuser] FREE UEB MATH & UEB Literacy online courses available.
- From: "Neal" <neal@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 07:37:31 -0400
RIDBCtype-side 2lines-300
The FREE online training programs in UEB braille literacy and UEB
mathematics can be accessed at https://uebonline.org/ and offer both free
courses and paid certification options.
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
May 2019
Australian innovation to make mathematics more accessible to blind students
across the globe
In response to the growing need for STEM skills in Australia and overseas,
RIDBC has today launched UEB Mathematics, an online course that enables
teachers and parents to better support braille-using students.
UEB Mathematics, an addition to the UEB Online e-learning platform, enables
professionals and parents to understand and connect language, literacy and
mathematics development in children with vision impairment, and to plan
learning experiences that are inclusive of those children who use the medium
of braille.
An Australian innovation, UEB Online, the first e-learning braille course
for professionals and parents, was launched in 2014 with a goal to increase
braille literacy in Australia and globally. Since its inception, more than
18,000 people in 184 countries have taken part in the course.
Now, the team behind UEB Online hope that increasing access to braille for
mathematics will open up more STEM career opportunities for people with
vision impairment in Australia and across the globe.
Dr Frances Gentle, Lecturer at RIDBC Renwick who led the project to create
UEB Online, says the new UEB mathematics training courses are designed to
promote equitable access to STEM subjects for braille users. "Equitable
educational opportunity for children who are blind requires teachers who
understand the braille code and how to modify print-based activities in the
classroom."
"We want to enable students with blindness to continue studying mathematics
into their senior school years and as a result, increase access to careers
in STEM-related fields. Achieving this aspirational goal requires teachers
and parents who understand Unified English Braille in literary and
mathematical contexts."
In her role as President of the International Council for English Braille,
Dr Gentle says she has witnessed the positive educational impact when
braille-using students have the support of people who understand their code.
"It really helps when classroom teachers can read braille text but equally,
when parents can use it," she said.
"Knowledge of braille enables parents to share the joys of reading and
writing with their child, whether it is assistance with homework, notes of
encouragement or birthday cards in braille."
Dr Gentle also says that the ability to read braille amongst the sighted
community is essential. "It's critical that we increase the number of people
who can use and read braille so that we can continue to teach it and ensure
that children with blindness have equitable access to education and
employment."
Chris Rehn, Chief Executive at RIDBC, says that keeping Australia at the
global forefront of service and technological innovation is an important
goal for the organisation. "We are committed to providing the highest
quality services and level of care for Australians with vision and hearing
impairment, and innovations such as UEB Mathematics play a critical role in
this.
With mathematics identified as a vital skill for the future, ensuring
students with vision impairment have equal access to education is crucial."
The online training programs in braille literacy and mathematics can be
accessed at https://uebonline.org/ and offer both free courses and paid
certification options.
-ENDS-
RIDBC is Australia's largest non-government provider of therapy, education,
cochlear implant and diagnostic services for people with hearing or vision
loss, supporting thousands of adults, children and their families, each
year. Services are provided from 18 sites across Australia and through an
outreach service that supports clients living in regional areas.
RIDBC is a charity and relies heavily on fundraising and community support
to be able to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and
adults with vision or hearing loss.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Linda Berrigan
Director, Marketing and Communications
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)
T: (02) 9872 0304 | M: 0478 119 066
Email: <mailto:linda.berrigan@xxxxxxxxxxxx> linda.berrigan@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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