# UrAbility Schools Programme ### **A flexible online training programme designed to help Irish primary and post-primary schools use Assistive Technology with confidence.** - Whole-school licence with unlimited access for all of your staff - Aligned with the Digital Learning Plan and ICT funding - Make the most of the technology your school already has - Practical, easy to use, and informed by real classroom experience from thousands of SNAs and teachers across Ireland [Enrol your school now!](https://form.asana.com/?k=KUPOCvv33CGNQ7viSFg9QQ&d=18980912540939) ## The challenges Irish schools are facing… Across Irish schools, the challenge is rarely access to technology. Instead… - Staff confidence **varies widely** across classrooms - Training is often one-off or limited to a **small number of staff** - Assistive technology use can **differ from class to class** - Students **lose support during transitions** from primary to secondary - Schools are left **filling gaps** through trial and error The challenge isn’t access to technology—it’s a lack of shared understanding and consistent implementation. ## The UrAbility Approach: A whole-school model. UrAbility’s Schools Programme is designed around how schools actually plan, fund and implement CPD. Rather than training individual staff in isolation, schools access a structured pathway that: - Builds a shared baseline for **all staff** - Supports **deeper implementation** where it matters most - Prioritises built-in accessibility and **existing devices** - Embeds **consistent practice** across classrooms and year groups This approach supports schools to move from awareness to confident, intentional use of Assistive Technology. _“It’s allowing all staff to upskill and get involved in something that’s very exciting and very important in the life and culture of schools.”_ **– Principal Emmanuel Bourke, St John Bosco Senior Boys School** _“It's good continuous professional development for our staff and also enhances the experience of the students who use assistive technology.”_ **_–_ Deputy Principal Mairead O’Halloron, Castleknock Community College** Two Levels of Learning: A clear, practical pathway for your school staff. ## LEVEL 1 // Foundations Training **Whole-school foundations for inclusive and assistive technology** **WHO IT’S FOR:** ✔️ **All school staff**—teachers, SNAs, leadership and support staff. **FOCUS:** ✔️ What assistive technology is (and isn’t) ✔️ Normalising everyday use of built-in accessibility features ✔️ Understanding device choices at a high level ✔️ Shared expectations and common language ✔️ Knowing when and how to escalate support **TIME COMMITTMENT:** ✔️ **60–90 minutes total**, designed to fit within existing CPD time. ## LEVEL 2 // Implementation Training **Implementing assistive technology to support students in real school contexts** **WHO IT’S FOR:** ✔️ **SETs, SNAs and staff** supporting students more directly. **FOCUS:** ✔️ Reading, writing, organisation and learning supports in depth ✔️ Built-in tools and apps across iPad, Windows, and Chromebook ✔️ Intentional selection and setup of tools ✔️ Supporting independence and transitions ✔️ Moving beyond trial-and-error **TIME COMMITTMENT:** ✔️ **4–6 hours total**, modular and self-paced. ## Supporting your school’s Digital Learning Plan and maximising your ICT funding: The **UrAbility Schools Programme** supports schools to implement their **Digital Learning Plan**, particularly in: - **Teaching**, **learning** and **assessment** - **Inclusion** and **accessibility** - Effective use of **existing digital infrastructure** - Maximising the impact of **ICT funding** by building staff capability - Providing relevant, structured **CPD** ## WHAT'S INCLUDED: - **Whole-school licence** for one annual fee - **Unlimited staff access** for 12 months - Both **Foundations** and **Implementation** course levels - **Self-paced** online delivery - CPD **Certificates of Completion** ## The UrAbility Schools Programme is designed for Irish primary and post-primary schools that: - Are struggling with consistent assistive technology understanding and practice **across classrooms** - Are investing in or receiving **ICT funding** - Support students with **special education needs** - Need practical, **sustainable CPD** rather than one-off training # **Purchase the UrAbility Schools Programme** With our annual whole-school licence, one fee covers all of your school staff for the full year. **Primary Schools:** €995 / year **Post-Primary Schools:** €1,495 / year _“It's essential to know the skills to help my students with learning difficulties in the future.”_ **– Antonia, Primary School SNA** _“I wanted to upgrade my skills. This course just makes it so easy that you’ll never regret having done it.”_ **– Hillary, Primary School SNA** _“I'm not an expert on technology so this course has given me a real confidence boost!”_ **– Dee, Primary School SNA** _“I didn’t realise how many different accessibility options there were and I found that very beneficial.”_ **– Deborah, St John Bosco Senior Boys School** _“We weren’t very up on technology, but after doing the course we felt we had more skills to bring to the children.”_ **– Catherine, St John Bosco Senior Boys’ School** _“I really enjoyed the simple language and very practical advice in this course. This is so useful and important.”_ **– Alison, Special Class Teacher** ## **I’m James Northridge, the Founder of UrAbility.** At UrAbility, we use technology to help kids learn and thrive, whatever their challenges may be. And we want to ensure that educators—especially SNAs and teachers, who are at the forefront of education—to have all the tools they need to help students succeed. I have Dyslexia and ADHD, so I understand the challenges that face children at school because I’ve faced them myself. I struggled throughout my education, even going so far as to hide in the bathroom as a child to avoid having to read aloud in class! But I was able to turn it around with the help of Assistive Technology, eventually going on to earn a first-class honours degree from University College Cork and a Masters in Disabilities Studies from University College Dublin. **I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without Assistive Technology.** I’m proof that even a kid with learning challenges can be successful in school and go on to higher education with the right supports and tools in place to help them along the way. Since founding UrAbility, I’ve trained hundreds of families and educators across Ireland and the UK learn to use technology to help kids learn more effectively. I hope you’ll join me for this course! ## Frequently Asked Questions - ### How long will our staff have access to the programme? All staff will have access to the full online programme, including all levels and modules, for the **duration of the school year**. - ### Which devices and apps are covered in this programme? - The course focuses on Assistive Technology tools and apps to support **reading**, **writing**, and **maths**. - We cover the use of **Apple iPads**, **Windows laptops**, and **Chromebooks** in school settings. - ### What technology do staff need to take part? Staff can access the programme on any device with an internet connection, including a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. - ### How much time is involved? **Foundations Training** - The Foundations Training involves approximately **60–90 minutes** of learning. **Implementation Training** - The Implementation Training involves approximately **4–6 hours** of learning. - ### When will staff receive their certificates? Once they’ve completed the training, they will automatically receive their Certificate of Completion via email. - ### Which needs does this programme support? Rather than focusing on specific diagnoses, the programme focuses on meeting the individual learning needs of each student, including support with reading, writing, maths, and organisational skills.