iPads enrich verbal interaction

STUDENTS ALL SMILES… From left, Verney Road School students, Charlie and Tarrant, State Schools Relief (SSR) CEO, Sue Karzis, Verney Road School teacher leader of communication, Merryn Saraiva and student, Dragon are excitedly using the brand new iPads that were donated by SSR to help the three students better verbalise with loved ones and teachers. Photo: Katelyn Morse.
STUDENTS ALL SMILES… From left, Verney Road School students, Charlie and Tarrant, State Schools Relief (SSR) CEO, Sue Karzis, Verney Road School teacher leader of communication, Merryn Saraiva and student, Dragon are excitedly using the brand new iPads that were donated by SSR to help the three students better verbalise with loved ones and teachers. Photo: Katelyn Morse.
STUDENTS ALL SMILES… From left, Verney Road School students, Charlie and Tarrant, State Schools Relief (SSR) CEO, Sue Karzis, Verney Road School teacher leader of communication, Merryn Saraiva and student, Dragon are excitedly using the brand new iPads that were donated by SSR to help the three students better verbalise with loved ones and teachers. Photo: Katelyn Morse.
STUDENTS ALL SMILES… From left, Verney Road School students, Charlie and Tarrant, State Schools Relief (SSR) CEO, Sue Karzis, Verney Road School teacher leader of communication, Merryn Saraiva and student, Dragon are excitedly using the brand new iPads that were donated by SSR to help the three students better verbalise with loved ones and teachers. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

STUDENTS at Verney Road School who face numerous daily challenges in communicating with loved ones and teachers, now have the ability to better verbalise following a very special donation of iPads from State Schools Relief (SSR).

The three iPads that were donated are part of a larger donation across the state of 180 iPads, with Shepparton’s Verney Road School being the first donations received on Monday.

Bank First (formerly Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank), in conjunction with Gandel Philanthropy, one of Australia’s largest independent family philanthropic funds, have jointly donated $80,000 to purchase the iPads which will be distributed to the nonverbal school students attending the 80 specialist schools within Victoria, allowing them to communicate with their families, teachers, carers and friends through the app ‘Words for Life.’

SSR CEO, Sue Karzis believes that by providing nonverbal children with an iPad enables them to have their own voice at all times.

“It is amazing how fast the iPads have gone. Receiving so many applications from schools shows us the need out there for assistance in helping non-verbal students to better communicate with their teachers and loved ones using technology.

“At SSR we believe in removing barriers to education. The provision of iPads for non-verbal children in specialist schools is one way that we can ensure that no child or young person is left behind.

“With the generous support of Bank First and Gandel Philanthropy, we will be providing iPads to children and young people in need, so that we can give them the means of communication. This program will be transformational for the young people involved and SSR is proud to be able to provide this support.”

Verney Road School teacher leader of communication, Merryn Saraiva said, “Having access to high technology for our students is amazing. It opens up so much when it comes to communication.

“The families are so thankful for this. It means so much to them

“Charlie, one of the recipients of the iPad was so excited when we told him…his face just lit up.

“We are so pleased to be involved.

If you want to support the iPad project, visit https://ssr.net.au/