Connected Australia Conference

15-16 October 2013

Melissa McCarthy

Using technology to support

children with disabilities

(Who is RIDBC?)

RIDBC services

Educational Services

• Early intervention

• Preschools

• Schools

• School Support Service

• Teleschool

Clinical Services

• Audiology

• Cochlear Implant Services

• Assessment

• Additional Therapy

• Community Support

RIDBC Renwick Centre

• CPE

• Grad Cert

• Masters, MPhil, PhD

Why is RIDBC necessary?

• Early diagnosis and intervention in children with

hearing loss is critical for natural language

development. (Yoshinaga-Itano, et al., 1998)

• Children with hearing and/or vision impairment

require specialized early intervention support. (Sass-Lehrer, 2002)

Why use technology?

• Low incidence disabilities

• Population affected regardless of location

• Higher incidence in indigenous communities

• Limited supply of qualified specialists

• Recruitment, retention and ongoing PD

Cruz’s story

RIDBC Teleschool

• Started in 2002 as small NSW program

• Received government grant in 2004 to expand

to national program

• Focused on developing methodology of

telepractice from 2007 - 2011

• Opened first interstate site in Darwin in 2012

• Expanded technology infrastructure in 2013

Telepractice model

Synchronous

components:

– 1:1 sessions

– Telephone contacts

– Group sessions

– Parent education sessions

– Residential visits

Asynchronous

components:

– Educational packages

– email

– iPad/iPhone apps

– RIDBC and Me website

VC set-up

VC Infrastructure

RMX 2730 (VC Bridge)

Teleschool VC rooms

VC1a VC1b VC2

VC3 Multi purpose

Welwyn

Remote Offices

Hunter Nepean GBS Gosford

Lismore Darwin AHH HTC

Computers and Tablets in RIDBC

Internet users

RegisteredUser in

Internet

UnregisteredUser in

Internet

Technology at RIDBC

20 MB

Technology in the home

• High-end

videoconferencing

equipment

• Family television

• Next G cellular

network

• External aerial

In-home option

Private Family Blog

RIDBC and Me

Parent Courses

Apps

How would NBN help?

• Improved availability and connection speeds

• Increased access to in-home support

• More frequent, consistent contact for families

• Greater range of support options for families

• Decreased sense of isolation

• Eliminates barriers of inequity and distance

Charlie’s experience

Outcomes

• Continuity of service provision

• Consistency of professionals

• Comprehensive, streamlined model from one

provider

• Decrease in travel/time away from home

• Improved access to specialists/expertise

For further information

• Contact Melissa McCarthy

Melissa.McCarthy@ridbc.org.au

(02) 9872 0240

• See our website www.ridbc.org.au

• For Professional Development Opportunities,

see www.ridbc.org.au/renwick