ABSTRACT

Training and support will be vital in developing and maintaining a skilled disability workforce in the roll-out of individualised disability funding across Australia. Technology has the potential to deliver training and support that is more accessible and cost-efficient in geographically isolated regions. The current qualitative study explored participants’ experience of an autism-specific webinar and individual online support programme delivered to a range of early childhood staff in regional and remote areas. Researchers used purposive sampling to select and interview 11 participants enrolled in the training and support programme. Rigour and trustworthiness of the data were enhanced using member checking and a data analysis check on 20% of the transcripts. Several categories of responses were identified under three broad themes; impact of the training programme, interaction with technology, and barriers to access. Findings indicated that the programme had a positive impact on access to autism-specific learning and support. The interactive nature of webinars and individual online consultations (synchronous learning) was highly valued; however, barriers including extensive travel and busy caseloads resulted in participants relying on recorded webinars (asynchronous learning). Findings from the current study will inform the development of future training programme at an individual, organisational and policy level.

摘要

在澳大利亚各地推出个性化残疾资助时，培训和支持对于培养和维持熟练的残疾劳动力至关重要。技术有可能在地理上偏远的地区提供更容易获得且更具成本效益的培训和支持。当前的定性研究探讨了参与者在针对区域和偏远地区的一系列幼儿工作人员提供的针对自闭症的网络研讨会和个人在线支持计划中的体验。研究人员使用有目的的抽样来选择和采访参加培训和支持计划的 11 名参与者。使用成员检查和对 20% 的成绩单进行数据分析检查，增强了数据的严谨性和可信度。在三大主题下确定了几类回应；培训计划的影响、与技术的互动以及获取障碍。调查结果表明，该计划对获得针对自闭症的学习和支持产生了积极影响。网络研讨会和个人在线咨询（同步学习）的互动性受到高度重视；然而，包括广泛旅行和繁忙案例在内的障碍导致参与者依赖录制的网络研讨会（异步学习）。当前研究的结果将为未来培训计划在个人、组织和政策层面的发展提供信息。网络研讨会和个人在线咨询（同步学习）的互动性受到高度重视；然而，包括广泛旅行和繁忙案例在内的障碍导致参与者依赖录制的网络研讨会（异步学习）。当前研究的结果将为未来培训计划在个人、组织和政策层面的发展提供信息。网络研讨会和个人在线咨询（同步学习）的互动性受到高度重视；然而，包括广泛旅行和繁忙案例在内的障碍导致参与者依赖录制的网络研讨会（异步学习）。当前研究的结果将为未来培训计划在个人、组织和政策层面的发展提供信息。