[BlindMath] FREE UEB MATH & UEB Literacy online courses available.

[David Andrews]

>
>
>The FREE online training programs in UEB braille literacy and UEB 
>mathematics can be accessed at 
><https://uebonline.org/>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/>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 at ridbc.org.au>linda.berrigan at ridbc.org.au


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