For the first time, Moreton Bay Regional Council together with CFN (Caboolture Family Network) are offering a series of interactive, technology based workshops to support adults with autism and special needs.

Spokesperson for Disability Access Councillor Denise Sims said the sessions, which were also open to the public, gave participants an insight into the Enthuse ‘Test the Tech’ program at the Caboolture Library.

“We adopted the region’s first Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2018-2022 last year to make our region more accessible and inclusive for people living with disabilities and to improve access and inclusion in our community; so this program is a testament of that,” she said.

“Participants can learn a variety of skills including how to do 3D printing and creating interactive stories and games through scratch coding as well as:

Blue Bots devices
Dots and Dashes devices
3D Augmented Reality through the Quiver App
Sphero devices
Sensory apps on iPads

“These skills are changing the lives of so many adults and giving them a new found confidence they otherwise might not have had the chance to explore.

“The best part is that they also have the opportunity to build new friendships along the way.”

CFN General Manager Debbie Mansbridge said Enthuse members and staff were all praise about ‘Test the Tech’.

“Our members and staff get a lot out of the sessions. Test the Tech has been amazing for our clients; the staff are incredible, and the technology is so engaging and interesting for all,” Ms Mansbridge said.

“Test the Tech has been an amazing opportunity for Enthuse to engage with others in their local community who share similar interests.”

Enthuse members Kamm Mitchell and Hannah Franks enjoy the program.

“Our tech time at the library is so cool! My favourite thing so far has been learning how to create our own characters and computer games,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We have so much fun at ‘Test the Tech’! The staff are very nice, just lovely. We are always smiling and laughing and we learn some really cool things. I love coding and playing with the robots,” Ms Franks said.

The next Test the tech session will be held at Caboolture Library on Tuesday 16 April between 2pm and 3pm for more information head to: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries/Events/Test-The-Tech-CAB-Tues