Getting Access Ready: An Access Skills Workshop Series 3

ABOUT:

This practical, hands-on workshop is designed to build confidence and skills in supporting touchscreen access for communication, learning, and participation.

Participants will develop knowledge of touchscreen access methods and learn how to create meaningful, motivating opportunities that support participation and skill development across a range of activities. The workshop explores how motor, sensory, visual, cognitive, and environmental factors can impact touchscreen access, and how adaptations such as keyguards, access settings, positioning, mounting, and software features can improve success.

The session combines short teaching segments with guided discussion and hands-on exploration. This workshop is highly practical, with a strong focus on real-world application and strategies you can use immediately in your setting. Participants will leave with greater confidence in assessing touchscreen access needs, implementing practical solutions, and supporting skill development across everyday routines and activities.

This is a series of training sessions targetting access for Communication, Learning and Participation. You will need to purchase a ticket for each individual in-person training to attend. 

1. Getting Switched On: Building Switch Skills for Communication, Learning and Participation - This workshop was on Tues 14th July 2026 and tickets are no longer for sale.
2. Getting Eye to Eye: Building Eye Gaze Skills for Communication, Learning and Participation - This workshop was on Thurs 8th October 2026 and tickets are no longer for sale. 
3. Getting in Touch: Building Touchscreen Skills for Communication, Learning and Participation - Wed 27th January 2027

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This workshop is suitable for occupational therapists, speech pathologists, teachers, education assistants, and other professionals supporting children and adults who use touchscreen devices for communication, learning, and participation.

It is appropriate for all skill levels, particularly those who:

• Have a good understanding of functional goals and participant needs
• Support individuals who have difficulty accurately accessing touchscreens
• Want practical strategies to improve access, reduce frustration, and increase independence
• Are interested in exploring adaptations and environmental supports that can improve touchscreen performance
• Want to build confidence in selecting and implementing touchscreen access solutions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify factors that influence successful touchscreen access, including motor, sensory, visual, cognitive, and environmental considerations
• Apply feature matching principles to support selection of appropriate touchscreen access solutions and adaptations
• Apply positioning and mounting principles to optimise comfort, stability, accuracy, and endurance during touchscreen use
• Identify when adaptations such as keyguards, styluses, access settings, mounting solutions, and protective accessories may improve access and participation
• Use a touchscreen skill development framework to identify current abilities and plan appropriate next steps
• Design engaging and meaningful touchscreen activities matched to individual skill levels and participation goals
• Use simple observation methods to assess performance and identify barriers to successful access
• Identify and troubleshoot common touchscreen access challenges, including accidental activation, targeting difficulties, fatigue, visual complexity, and device setup issues
• Apply effective adult support strategies that promote independence while avoiding unnecessary prompting or over-support
• Collaborate with team members to support consistent and generalised touchscreen access across home, school, therapy, and community environments