Special Training Needs

Needs relating to Access Barriers

These are needs, which are to do with getting the potential learner into an appropriate training situation, from which s/he may participate in, and benefit from, essentially the same training provision as a non-disabled peer. Specialist training centres remove or overcome barriers, which, in other training environments, learners with disabilities encounter disproportionately. The removal of access barriers may involve physical support, or the provision of special aids or adaptations for people with disabilities. It would also include a supportive environment which maximises opportunities for learners' to learn through their strengths.

Alternatively, access-related needs, might involve preliminary or extra training to put the learner with a disability in the same 'starting position' as others. This might include:

• Longer duration in training;
• Numeracy and/or literacy training for learners with an intellectual disability;
• Low vision training, mobility and Braille training for learners who are partially sighted or blind;
• Sign language provision for learners who are deaf.

Needs relating to Training Content and Duration

These are needs, requiring support, which are such that a learner would be unable to benefit fully from training on the same basis as their non-disabled peers, even if appropriate physical support is made available. These supports include:

• Additional assistance during training for people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties;
• The provision of trainers who are trained to meet the needs of people with disabilities;
• The need for a longer period of training;
• An individualised approach to the training curricula;
• Additional support modules, e.g. personal effectiveness, managing disability, self-advocacy etc.;
• Work preparation, including extra or different training in job-search skills, personal presentation, etc.

Non-Occupational Training-Related Needs

These are needs, in the absence of which, the learner may be unable to benefit. For example, additional help for a person with mental health difficulties in managing his/her medications or learning to manage personal finance for a person with an intellectual disability. Other non-occupational training-related needs might include travel training and/or learning to reside in rented accommodation.