Free

Bridging Gaps, Opening Doors: Assistive Technologies in Education

5pm – 7pm 22 January 2025 techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD

This upcoming event set to take place during the week of the BETT Show and will discuss the critical intersection of assistive technologies, education, and the needs of differently abled individuals, with a particular emphasis on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) requirements in educational technology.

This comprehensive gathering will explore the concept of lifelong learning in our reskilling and upskilling culture, examining how assistive technologies can support continuous learning across all age groups and abilities. We'll present case studies of successful implementation, including a spotlight on Barton Peveril Sixth Form College and examples of AI integration in UK schools.

We will engage in thoughtful discussions about defining "relevant services" in the context of assistive technologies and their implications for educational institutions and learners alike and how this impacts the disclosure of assistive technology use in assessments, particularly considering the Post-16 Education Act. A key focus will be the "Curb Cut Effect," demonstrating how designing from the margins – with SEND requirements at the forefront – can lead to innovations that benefit all users, thereby improving the overall user experience in educational technology.

Through panel discussions and case study presentations, we'll bring together educators, technologists, policymakers, and SEND advocates to engage with cutting-edge assistive technologies and shape the future of EdTech innovation. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, we aim to ensure that the needs of differently abled individuals remain a key part of educational technology innovation, supporting a more inclusive and accessible learning environment for all.

“Nothing About Us Without Us”

(The motto relies on this principle of participation, and it has been used by Disabled Peoples Organizations throughout the years as part of the global movement to achieve the full participation and equalisation of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities.)

Agenda

17:00 – 17:05 – Housewarming and Welcome

17:05 – 17:10 – Context and Landscape Talk

Speakers: Julia Adamson, Managing Director- Education & Public Benefit, BCS

17:10 – 17:50 – Panel 1: The Curb Cut Effect: Designing from the Margins In, on baking in SEND requirements

This panel explores how designing technology with SEND requirements as a foundational principle, rather than an afterthought, creates better solutions for all users. Drawing from the powerful metaphor of the curb cut—a simple modification that helped wheelchair users but proved beneficial for everyone—we'll examine how this philosophy can revolutionise educational technology. Our discussion will focus on practical approaches to embedding accessibility from the start, highlighting how features originally designed for SEND users often become mainstream innovations that enhance learning for all students.

Speakers:

Ahna Boley, Chief Experience Officer, Double A Labs

Marius Frank, Co-Head of Education Microlink PC-UK

Marc Goblot, Founder of Digital Diversity Lab and Tech For Disability
David Foster, Founding Partner, Applied Data Science Partners

17:50 – 18:15 – Case study from Oak National Academy – Ethics, Safeguarding and Aila

Oak National Academy launched their AI lesson assistant, Aila, in September 2024. Designed to reduce teacher workload by supporting with lesson planning and resource creation, Aila incorporates several additional safety guardrails to ensure the content produced is appropriate for UK classrooms. Emma Searle, Product Manager, and Hannah-Beth Clark, AI Quality and Safety Principal, will provide an overview of Aila’s design, the safety mechanisms embedded within the tool, and some key lessons learned along the way.

Speakers:

Emma Searle, Product Manager, Oak National Academy
Hannah-Beth Clark, AI Quality and Safety Principal, Oak National Academy

18:15 – 18:55 – Panel 2: Starting from the Skills & Post-16 Education Act: Setting Standards in Uncharted Territory for EdTech and Assistive Technology

As technology becomes increasingly embedded in education, we face growing questions about transparency, equity, and standardisation in the use of EdTech and assistive technology (AT). For learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), these tools can transform educational experiences, but they also bring challenges around academic integrity, assessment validity, and fair access.

The Skills & Post-16 Education Act is one of the few pieces of legislation addressing the issue of integrity, but its broad definitions, particularly regarding services that could undermine assessments, reflect the wider lack of clear frameworks for EdTech across all phases of education. This panel will explore how educational institutions, policymakers, and EdTech developers can strike the right balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding the learning environment, ensuring that the evolving role of technology benefits all students without unintended barriers to development.

Speakers: