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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <br><br>
The FREE online training programs in UEB braille literacy and UEB
mathematics can be accessed at
<a href="https://uebonline.org/">https://uebonline.org/</a> and offer
both free courses and paid certification options.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
MEDIA RELEASE<br><br>
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION <br><br>
May 2019<br><br>
<b>Australian innovation to make mathematics more accessible to blind
students across the globe<br>
</b><br>
<b>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.</b> <br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.”<br><br>
"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." <br><br>
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.
<br><br>
"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.”<br><br>
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." <br><br>
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. <br><br>
With mathematics identified as a vital skill for the future, ensuring
students with vision impairment have equal access to education is
crucial." <br><br>
The online training programs in braille literacy and mathematics can be
accessed at <a href="https://uebonline.org/">https://uebonline.org/</a>
and offer both free courses and paid certification options.<br><br>
<br><br>
-ENDS-<br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
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.<br><br>
For media enquiries, please contact: <br><br>
<b>Linda Berrigan</b><br>
Director, Marketing and Communications<br><br>
<b>Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)<br>
</b><br>
T: (02) 9872 0304 | M: 0478 119 066<br>
Email:
<a href="mailto:linda.berrigan@ridbc.org.au">
linda.berrigan@ridbc.org.au</a> <br>
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