Assistive tech partnership provides education tech to dyslexic children in Hull and East Yorkshire
Dyslexic children in Hull and East Yorkshire now have access to OrCam’s assistive technology, which can support independent learning and reading in and out of the classroom, thanks to a new partnership between the company and Dyslexia Sparks.
OrCam Technologies, a specialist in personal assistive technology, has partnered with Dyslexia Sparks, Hull and East Yorkshire’s only registered charity for dyslexia, and donated six OrCam Learn devices. This donation will give the charity the opportunity to use the education tech as part of the specialist tuition it delivers to dyslexic individuals at the charity’s Hessle-based centre.
Dyslexia Sparks’ students will now be able to work with the technology, enhancing the charity’s suite of specialist resources and teaching techniques used to support dyslexic learners’ literacy skills.
In addition to access within lessons, a number of students will be loaned an OrCam Learn device through the partnership, allowing them to continue to work with the technology at home and in school to further enhance their independent learning and reading skills.
Dyslexia Sparks’ qualified team of specialised tutors and assessors will identify learners who are likely to benefit from extended opportunities to learn with one of the OrCam devices. They will also work in close consultation with the student’s school, helping them to use the technology within the child’s classroom environment.
Amy Appleton, Specialist Teacher and Assessor at Dyslexia Sparks and the charity’s Assistive Technology Lead, said: “We are so thrilled to be chosen by OrCam as a leading charity partner and receive six brand new OrCam Learn devices. Assistive technology can positively impact the health and wellbeing of students, alleviating cognitive and mental pressures and allowing them to unleash their abilities in producing literacy work.
“We are hugely grateful for the opportunity to work with OrCam. Our partnership with this leading education tech company will enhance the service and ongoing support that we provide in supporting dyslexic individuals to fulfil their potential.”
OrCam Learn is a wireless, compact, and handheld solution with an intuitive point-and-click operation that “captures” and immediately reads out loud a full page, paragraph, or single word of text. This works from any surface, such as books, digital screens, or handouts.
It enables individuals to explore their full potential, as the learning solution offers practical reading support that includes interactivity with the user reading. OrCam Learn further provides real-time feedback as well as comprehensive analysis and reporting of the student’s progress for teachers and parents to review and tailor the learning process accordingly.
Irie Meltzer, UK Director at OrCam Technologies, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Dyslexia Sparks as our charity partner and look forward to hearing how our pioneering OrCam Learn solution will help children and young people with dyslexia in the region.
“Charities like Dyslexia Sparks are fundamental to providing much needed support for children with learning challenges, and we are honoured to be joining them on this journey to increase independence for children and helping them enhance learning outcomes.”
Last year, four-time World Masters Discus Champion and multiple world record holder Kevin Brown donated an OrCam Learn to the pupils at Boldmere Junior School in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. The device is helping pupils with learning challenges, including dyslexia, to build classroom confidence and support reading and learning.