New tech gives kids a voice

STUDENTS at Bendigo Special Development School now have access to better learning and communicating.

On Tuesday, 22 iPads were delivered to the school by State Schools Relief, as a part of a program that’s seen hundreds of non-verbal students receive the devices across the state.

Junior school coordinator Davina McCurdy said the iPads will help remove barriers for many children.

“They’re an amazing way for students to be able to access learning opportunities,” she said.

“It provides a lot of flexibility in activities that we can offer them, but more importantly it provides them a voice.”

Programs installed on the iPads at the special development school include interactive stories and games and the tech also allows children to express emotions.

“It gives them an opportunity to communicate with us using different media forms, whether it’s a communication app or whether it’s using pictures to request an item,” Ms McCurdy said.

“It also reduces the reliance on fine motor muscles so students can have more access for writing activities for reading books where they can actually turn the page.”

This year, State Schools Relief were able to deliver 350 iPads thanks to funding from philanthropist partners Bank First and Gandel Philanthropy.

CEO of State Schools Relief Sue Karzis said they began the program after seeing firsthand how the devices can help children.

“In 2019 I visited a specialist school and I had no idea that there were a number of students that couldn’t communicate, because their parents and families couldn’t afford an iPad,” she said.

“We rolled out 191 iPads in 2019, last year we couldn’t do it and this year we’ve done over 350 so the need is huge, and it just gives students a voice that’s life changing.

State Schools Relief hope to continue the program next year, with a goal of delivering more than 400 iPads in Victoria.

“It’s really about explaining to people about what this means and how students would be able to communicate and it’s just because that $600 that makes all the difference,” Ms Karzis said.