UVATT teams up with Garth Homer Society

The University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT) is partnering with the Garth Homer Society in a new project to develop learning tools for adults with developmental disabilities.

Funded by a $150,000 grant from the B.C. government, the two-year pilot project will work with individuals in Victoria and remote communities to develop and deliver educational packages that can be accessed by people with disabilities via the Internet.

The project will allow individuals with disabilities to make a smoother transition from a school setting into the community-at-large. It will also facilitate online access to the society's services and programs.

The Garth Homer Society is a non-profit organization that provides on-site services to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. It offers an array of day programs, ranging from social and life skills coaching to employment training and placement.

"We'll be providing expertise in the development of adaptive hardware and software," says Dr. Nigel Livingston, director of UVATT. "We'll hire a full-time computer scientist to work with various agencies to create the interactive course packages." The project will also tap into the expertise of faculty and students in UVic's faculty of education.

For more information on the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team visit web.uvic.ca/uvatt.

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