asignificant learning disability, as does his brother. In school he faced all the issues of those with hidden disabilities: feelings of inadequacy and stupidity, concealment, embarrassment, ridicule, teasing, being viewed as lazy or defiant. He used common coping mechanisms such as becoming invisible; acting out; and at times and with growing sophistication, “playing the LD card.”

And then, in University, he discovered assistive technologies. A door to independence and academic success opened. DJ has been a user of Assistive Technologies for the past 10 years and has trained hundreds of students and led numerous training workshops.

Rick Cunningham, the other officer of LEARNstyle, has extensive experience in Special Education as a teacher, working at Thistletown Regional Centre and as a teacher diagnostician at The Child Development Clinic of the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. He has been an elementary and high school principal with the Toronto and York Region District School Boards. As a principal, his focus was on models of service to best support students of all abilities. In his last two schools, he implemented a model of full inclusionsupported by assistive technologies universally accessible on all computers in the school. Currently he is also the Associate Director of the Bachelor of Education Program of Tyndale University in Toronto.

Together they formed LEARNstyle Ltd. in 2008 and since then have been service providers for SEA claims training and PD sessionson Assistive Technologies. In addition, they have run a series of summer Tech Camps in partnership with local LDAs and have initiated an Assistive Technology Tutoring service.

Our vision for Assistive Technology has grown and we now see it as truly necessary for some but beneficial for all. Assistive Technologies are powerful computer tools that enable individuals with learning barriers and enhance the productivity and efficiency of all others.

We have experienced and seen the life changing impact of Assistive Technology. Enabling individuals with learning barriers through effective training on Assistive Technologies is our passion.

THE RESULT

Powerful strategies based training on assistive technologies.

Responsive service from the understanding that for a student, “every day counts”.

Flexibility and understanding to meet the needs of students, teachers and schools.

The capacity for collaboratively developing school based plans and training for the implementation of the Universal Access to assistive technology.

Service built on relationships.

A deep understanding of inclusionary practices and the role of assistive technology in supporting those practices.

A commitment to developing “experts” in the school to support students using assistive technologies.

Inclusion of parents, teachers and staff in training sessions.

Accountability and transparency.