SET-BC Service to Independent Schools

SET-BC Mandate

SET-BC is a Provincial Resource Program designed to assist BC Schools in meeting the technology needs of students with physical disabilities, visual impairments and autism. SET-BC’s mandate is:

1. to loan assistive technologies (reading, writing and communication tools) where required to ensure students’ access to educational programs, and
2. to assist schools in providing training for students and educators in the use of those technologies.

Independent School eligibility requirements for receiving SET-BC service

The student must be approved for Level I or Level II funding and be described by one or more of the following disability groups:

• physical handicap
• visual impairment
• dependent or multiple handicap
• autism

In addition, the student’s access to the curriculum is restricted by his/her disability.

SET-BC provides service to Schools at 3 times during the school year called Service Cycles. Independent School process for accessing SET-BC services –

• A teacher refers the student to the school based team for SET-BC service consideration, the occupational therapist, physiotherapist, teacher of the visually impaired, speech-language pathologist and/ or district resource teacher should be consulted as required.
• The school selects a school based contact person.
• The school based team completes and reviews the Independent Schools Screening Checklist. (http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/independentschools/is_forms/welcome.htm#speced_grant)
• The school contact submits the Screening Checklist to the Independent Schools Branch by the designated date.
• The Independent Schools District Partners review the Screening Checklists and identify students for SETBC service.
• If a student is identified as a priority for receiving SET-BC services, a SET-BC Regional Office will contact the school team to complete the SET-BC Service process.

Technology Loans to Distance Learning Schools

The SET-BC case contact is the consultant normally attached to DL schools in the municipality where the school is located. 

• Training is offered to DL school staff by the SET-BC consultant in the municipality where the school is located.  The school is responsible if any training is required in the student’s home. 
• SET-BC will ship technology to the DL school address.  The DL school is responsible for shipping to and from the student’s home. 
• The SET-BC Support Centre will ship technology to and from the DL school office. The DL school is responsible for shipping repairs to and from the student’s home.  .

SET-BC contacts for Independent Schools

British Columbia Independent Schools have two “District Partners” acting as a liaison between the Independent Schools Branch, Group 1 and Group 2 Independent Schools and SET-BC. The District Partners are familiar with the services provided by SET-BC and the procedures for requesting technology for students. To contact the SET-BC District Partners please call the Independent Schools office at (250)356-2508 for further information.  Consultants at the seven Regional Centres and eleven Satellite Offices (www.setbc.org) around British Columbia are also available to answer questions.

SET-BC technology loans

SET-BC loans technology systems to School Districts and to Independent Schools. All SET-BC equipment can be identified by a SET-BC bar code sticker with a 5 or 6 digit id number. At the time of the original request, the members of the student’s school-based team completed a CAP (Collaborative Action Plan) to request the system and plan for its implementation.

School partnership on hardware

SET-BC supplies the basic computer or voice output communication aid (VOCA). It is the Independent School’s responsibility to arrange for printer access, networking capabilities and/or internet access. These needs should be discussed as part of the CAP to insure that the basic technology provided by SET-BC meets the requirements of student need. Where school teams identify additional hardware needs, the school is responsible for the cost, support and maintenance of these technologies. When students change classrooms or schools, a reCAP may be required to reassign responsibilities and review the student’s program needs.

School partnership on software

SET-BC supplies the basic hardware and the system software. In some cases, a word-processor such as Microsoft Works may come bundled with the original system and will be on the computer. SET-BC also provides specialized access software such as a speech output word processor, screen enlargement, Braille translation, or word prediction. Normally the access software is requested as part of the original CAP. The school is responsible to supply any regular software such as word-processor, math programs, educational games, etc. The SET-BC consultant may recommend software that would be suitable for your student. Original disks and manuals must be available for any software loaded on SET-BC computers. If original disks do not exist, the program is illegal and you are required to remove this software from the system. Illegal software may not be put on SET-BC machines. The school must ensure only licensed software is installed on any SET-BC equipment.

Technology support and maintenance

School teams may call their SET-BC consultant for assistance with, or training on the SET-BC software or hardware.  If there is a maintenance or repair issue with SET-BC technology, call the SET-BC Support Desk at 1-866-738-3375, or email support@setbc.org. In the Lower Mainland call 604-269-2222.  Many problems can be dealt with over the phone or by email, and SET-BC can assist you with troubleshooting suggestions.

Support Tips

• Before calling, please check all relevant help files and, if possible, software updates and hardware drivers.
• When you call, please have the name of the student, equipment SET-ID # and details of the problem. If possible, have the equipment at hand and software CD’s available if you need to reload.
• If the technology needs to be sent to the SET-BC Provincial Centre for repair, the typical turn-around time for shipping, repairing and returning the technology from Vancouver is 15 days.

Training

SET-BC offers a wide range of training activities on the educational use of assistive
technologies.  When SET-BC provides a student equipment loan, the student’s school based team receives training on the implementation of the technology in the classroom. This type of training is usually arranged at CAP meetings, or during the follow-up contact to monitor the student’s progress.
School staff can also attend SET-BC workshops on a wide range of topics, such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) issues, alternate access, or vision technologies. SET-BC regional teams circulate information on these workshops.

Implementation strategies are a major component of service

SET-BC’s primary focus each year is assisting school teams to get new technology up and running.  SET-BC also provides comprehensive in-service activities for educators.  If you have a question, or would like to be made aware of upcoming training opportunities, please call your SET-BC consultant.

SET – BC services are provided in the following areas

• Implementation of specific technologies such as Intellikeys, or Voice Output Communication Aid.
• Consultation on assistive technology.
• Hardware repair and suggested security procedures

Use of technology in the home and community settings

the technology on loan to the school is not insured by SET-BC. Upon delivery of the system, the school administrator signs a loan form accepting responsibility for the equipment. It is up to the school to make the decision to allow the equipment to go home with the student. If this is the case, the parent(s) must also sign the loan form. SET-BC recommends that school districts have parents investigate the purchase of a rider for their home insurance to cover the technology. It is important to have a technology security plan in place at school and at home, especially for laptop systems. The SET-BC consultant can provide the school team with a security checklist to assist in the development of a security plan.

Student transitions to a new setting

The school team is responsible for informing SET-BC of anticipated transitions. New school teams are encouraged to review technology needs and related training issues. The new school team may wish to have a CAP meeting to assign responsibilities to team members. The school team taking responsibility for the original loan should do an inventory of equipment before returning the equipment to SET-BC. SET-BC will review the technologies to ensure that all components of the student’s system are in proper working order before sending them to the new school, along with pertinent files. When students move out of the province, the school team must return the technology to SET-BC.

Graduating students

Each year in March, SET-BC sends a letter to school teams supporting students who may be graduating or completing their secondary school education. The letter asks each team to confirm that the student is graduating and outlines the options available to the student. The school district is required to return the equipment to SET-BC at the conclusion of the school year. If the student is continuing to a post-secondary institution, a meeting with a post secondary counselor may be needed to review the student’s technology needs.