11th October 2006

Tata Interactive Systems focuses on helping children with learning disabilities

The global e-learning producer, Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), is hosting the Tata Interactive Learning Disability Forum (TLDF) 2006, a unique global symposium on learning disabilities (LD) - the first of its kind in India - on 30th November and 1st December.

The TLDF is a unique global forum, comprising deans, academicians, publishers, paediatricians and decision-makers in the field of education. It aims to make it easier for those with LD - not just in India but around the world - to fulfil their potential.

"This TLDF offers an international platform for leading educators and LD experts to network and share innovations and ideas for the solution of critical LD issues," commented Sanjaya Sharma, TIS's CEO. "We hope to increase the awareness, remedial activities and sharing of best practices and knowledge of LD in India through this annual event.

"In accordance with the Tata group's long standing commitment to social development, TIS has chosen to actively support initiatives in LD since it is congruent with our skills and capabilities in e-learning - our area of business focus," he explained.


The panel of international speakers at this year's TLDF includes:

• Dr. Gerald Erenberg MD, Child Neurologist, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

• Laura Cryer, SEN & Inclusion Publisher, Semerc, Granada Learning

• Jean Salt, Past President of nasen, member TDA's SEN Project Steering Group

• Patricia Barthorpe, Independent SEN Consultant

• Glenys Heap, Senior Training Principal with Dyslexia Action

• Karen Dakin, Vice-president, International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

Topics under discussion at the TLDF include:

• The Biological Basis of LD

• Types of LD - Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and ADHD

• Simulation - what it feels like to be a Dyslexic

• Remedial Techniques

• Medical Aspects of LD

• Procedures for Assessment

• Social and Emotional Aspects of LD

• ADHD - Its Role in Leading to LD, Medication and Remedial Measures

• Technology Solutions

Every year the Tata Group spends a significant share of its profits after tax on social-uplift programmes. Its diverse activities span water management, education, AIDS containment, income-generation programmes and much more.

The Tata Memorial Centre is South Asia's leading centre for the prevention, treatment, education and research in cancer. The Tata Council for Community Initiatives also collaborates with the United Nations to enhance the Group's community work and develop corporate guidelines on social responsibility.


End


Notes for editors


About Tata Interactive Systems and the TLDF

The TLDF is organised by Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), a global e-learning leader with experience and expertise in every stage of learning disabilities' (LD) remediation: pre-assessments, screening, courseware, post-assessments, reporting and teacher training. Beyond developing solutions for clients, TIS regards the solution of LD issues as a corporate social responsibility.


Some of TIS's LD-related initiatives include:

• Supporting the LD Clinic (Sion Hospital, Mumbai), one of the few certified institutions of its kind in India, dedicated to detecting and treating LD.

• Developing a unique book, 'Brain Teasers', designed to nurture the innate creativity of these special children and empower them to achieve their potential

• Providing free-of-cost remedial courseware, developed for clients, to help students at the LD Clinic discover the joys of learning

• Providing and facilitating a Special Needs Educator Certification Course aimed at increasing the number of certified Special Needs Educators, specifically to deal with India's large population.
   

About Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) 
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning, with more than 15 years of experience in designing and developing innovative and cutting-edge e-learning solutions. TIS is a part of the $18 billion Tata Group - one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India. 

TIS employs a global team of over 900 multi-disciplinary specialists - a unique mix of project managers, software engineers, instructional designers, content developers, visual designers and animators. Its service bouquet includes Simulations, Systems Training, New Hire Training, Business Processes and Skills Training, Regulatory and Compliance Training, Sales and Customer Service Training, Adaptive Assessments, Story-based Learning Objects, M-Learning and EPSS. TIS also has a K12 math practice and a K12 content practice, as well as having substantial experience in developing learning content and tools across keystages and subject areas.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes and technological excellence, TIS has developed e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients - including 50 Fortune 500 companies - across the US, the UK, Australia, Mainland Europe, Japan, UAE and India. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as American Airlines, British Airways, Citibank, Colgate-Palmolive, ExxonMobil, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, HP, McGraw-Hill, ntl, Orange, Pearson Education, Qantas, Qwest, Royal Mail, Swiss Re, UNICEF, University of Phoenix, University of Maryland and Vodafone, along with Hodder, Oxford University Press, Granada Learning, Nelson Thornes, Research Machines PLC, Compass Learning, Florida Virtual School, Harcourt, Prentice Hall and, in the government sector, BECTA, UFI and DODEA. 

Apart from holding ISO 9001 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organisation in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI-CMM and P-CMM frameworks. TIS’s quest for excellence is reflected in numerous prestigious industry awards, including a Silver - Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2005 and 2004, APEX 2005 Award of Excellence, BETT 2004 Best Product Award, and 2 Business World-NID Design Excellence awards. 

For more information log on to www.tatainteractive.com

About the Tata Group 
The Tata Group, established in 1904 by the great visionary Jamsetji Tata, is one of Indias largest and most trusted business houses. The group pioneered the industrial revolution in India by founding, among other things, the first steel plant, power plant and chain of luxury hotels. 

The Group employs more than 330,000 people in 91 companies across diversified industry sectors including steel, automobiles, cement, telecom and IT. Generating revenues to the tune of £7bn per year  2.6 per cent of Indias total GDP  it is recognised as a leader in several industry segments such as such as steel, power, software exports and chemicals. It is also the parent company to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Asias largest software producer. 

Further information from:
Alan Samuel, Tata Interactive Systems, 020 7905 0156, www.tatainteractive.com