TechAbility Conference 2024
21 November 2024
Building in the success of previous conferences, TechAbility2024 will give you multiple opportunities to learn from leading practitioners in the field of Assistive Technology. As ever, all presentations and workshops will be grounded in practice and research. Alongside this will be opportunities to meet with Assistive Technology suppliers and discuss the solutions they provide.
This year, the conference will take place in Leeds, which has excellent transport links to the whole of the UK. Make sure you book now for “the best AT in education and beyond conference in the calendar”.
Contents
- Book your place
- Keynote – Supporting the supporters
- Hot topics discussions
- Breakout sessions
- Costs
- Timings
- Venue
- Exhibition
- Speakers
Booking your place
Keynote – Supporting the supporters
Professor Jane Seale, Professor of Education, Open University
Professor Jane Seale has a national and international reputation as an expert in the fields of disability, technology and inclusion. We are extremely excited that Jane has agree to deliver the keynote speech at TechAbility24.
To enable effective use of assistive technologies, we must also support teams around individuals to develop the skills and knowledge that is needed to effectively support people to use these technologies. During the pandemic many health, education and social care providers realized how important it was for adults with learning disabilities to be to use technologies to keep connected, to stay well and to do essential activities. Despite this enhanced awareness of the value of technology, many providers have struggled to support their staff to develop the skills and knowledge required to effectively support adults with learning disabilities to access and use technologies. Jane will describe her work with a range of self-advocacy groups and learning disability organizations to co-produce a range of resources which guide and inform the development of effective support practices. She will focus on the importance of ensuring the voice of users is represented through the co-production of the resources which include videos of AT users talking about their experiences of good support when using technology.
As a bonus for TechAbility24 Jane has agreed to run two sessions during the hot topics discussions – immediately after her keynote. This will give delegates additional time to experience the resources and talk with Jane in a small group setting.
Hot topics discussions
The hot topics discussions are a chance for you to share your experience, raise questions and air your views with other conference delegates. This dynamic session will feature small groups to give opportunities to meet with others working to support Assistive Technology. Delegates at TechAbility conferences often mention the benefits of interacting with others who can assist, support and challenge them to move forward in their practice. A range of topic groups will be available to join, or you could decide to start your own!
Breakout Sessions
ATech and national policy
Robert McLaren, Policy Connect
Embedding ATech into the delivery of education, health and care services will require influencing the people who write policies and make funding decisions. Real-world experience is critical so policy makers can understand how ATech solutions are currently delivered and what might need to change. Robert will provide an overview of the current national situation with regard to policy, along with discussing how your experience and knowledge can influence future national decision making.
Inclusive storytelling – approaches to telling stories for all!
Pete Wells, Teacher and Author
Pete Wells is a winner of both Bett and ERA Awards in 2023. Join Pete as he explores how storytelling can be beneficial for all learners. The author and creator of the award winning Inclusive Stories will demonstrate how his age appropriate, highly engaging stories can be used to promote a range of appropriate key issues. These include tricky subjects such as PREVENT, vocational education and SEMH, whilst promoting engagement, use of assistive technology and learner voice. During the presentation, Pete will discuss the many benefits of the stories, ways to adapt them for differing cohorts and share some of the thousands of lovingly created resources that accompany them. Please bring a sense of humour and be prepared to get wet!
Affordable and accessible ideas for SEN music technology
Charlie Baxter, The Music Works
Charlie will disprove the myths that assistive music technology is expensive, difficult-to-understand, and can only be used by trained musicians. This practical journey will demonstrate making music with technology for SEN participants on the cheap and easily. Charlie will present and discuss techniques and technologies that he has used in his work in both 1:1 and group sessions for young people with additional needs and in challenging circumstances. Offering up ten ideas for SEN music technology that all cost under £200 each (many of which you may already have), he will inspire with quick wins that engage young people and break down the barriers of what has traditionally been seen as an intimidating and exclusive practice. These approachable ways of incorporating creative practice into your work are suitable for SEN-focused staff who don’t consider themselves musicians at all. Delegates will work with Charlie to create a piece of music together from scratch using accessible instruments, tools, apps, as well as the evolving world of ChatGPT and AI.
AAC Communication Partner Skills Workshop
Joanna Holmes and Beth Moulam, The AAC Connection
Joanna is parent of Lucy who has complex communication needs and former Speech and Language Therapist, Beth is a post graduate student who has used high tech AAC for over 25 years.
Lucy and Beth are very different people, not just by their 20-year age difference, but with their personal journeys. When we talk about experiences of AAC in day to day situations we come to the same conclusions about the similarities, differences and challenges of using AAC in everyday family life, and what skills different communication partners need in different situations.
In this session Beth and Jo will share their experiences of using AAC as part of wide ranging multi-modal communication. They will then share a model of communication partner skills which can be used to consider what skills different partners need.
Delegates will have the opportunity to use the model to explore how to support communication in their own contexts.
Everyday Technology for Accessibility
Learners from The Oaks College and Libby Wilkins
Learners from The Oaks will share ways in which they use everyday technologies to access college, workplaces and the community. This learner-led session will be a hands-on workshop allowing delegates to try some of these apps and see real world applicability. Delegates will gain an insight into The Oaks’ holistic embedding of these skills and the ways in which they support job coaches, supported living settings and workplaces to enable young adults fulfil their aspirations. This session will focus on the use of mobile phones, with reference to laptops and tablets. Delegates should come prepared to use their own phones to experiment with various apps.
Finding new cause and effect opportunities through switch-adapted devices
John Schaer, Activate CES
This presentation promotes creative practice which extends cause-of-effect beyond the ‘typical’ sensory approach. The role Assistive Technology can play in developing and extending understanding for PMLD/High Needs learners will be discussed. Throughout, examples will be provided of cause and effect across different subject areas – music, art, life skills, physical skills – along with the different ways switch-adapted devices can be incorporated into motivating activities. For example, use of switch-adapted electric scissors and staplers through to switch-adapted stirrers and peelers. Software examples will also be demonstrated, such as free-to-use programs like Tarheel Gameplay and Google Experiments.
Masters research showcase: Barriers to AT goal adoption and Smarthome devices in a specialist environment
Helen Mills, Sense College East and Maizie Morgan, National Star
Featuring not one, but two, research projects undertaken by recent students on the EduAT Masters course. Both projects highlight the advantages Assistive Technology can provide in a specialist environment, But also some of the barriers which need to be overcome to enable effective use.
Helen will present the findings of her investigation into the enabling factors and barriers to AT goal adoption. Findings include the value of specialist AT support, training, tracking tools, the effect of teacher confidence, staff attitudes, and legal requirements in the creation of successful AT goals for learners. Delegates will discuss how to encourage honest staff feedback to better understand the barriers and enabling factors of AT goal adoption, and how this can lead to effective embedding of AT within their curriculum.
Maizie will present research into whether the use of Mainstream Environmental Control Systems (M-ECS) could enhance the independence of students with disabilities and how living in a residential setting would have an impact on its use. Interviews conducted with staff and students, and a thematic analysis showed that while M-ECS has the potential to greatly enhance independence for individuals with disabilities, its implementation in a specialist residential college setting presents additional challenges compared to its use in a home environment.
Customised travelling VR experiences
Max Bianconi, Jewish Care
What if you used to love going to the pub during a football match? Or you used to enjoy a stroll in your local park with your partner? Max is progressing beyond pre-made Virtual Reality experiences by creating customised 360 videos of places and situations which are specific to an individual. These experiences can then be viewed using VR to allow an immersive experience, getting to the heart of the action in the pub, or having a different experience on every park ‘visit’ dependent on where they look. In addition to demonstrations of completed videos, Max will demonstrate to delegates by mapping the presentation room and discussing what technology to use and points to consider such as safeguarding, using navigation and text.
Using AT to alleviate stressors in the education of Neurodiverse students
Sandra Braddick, Kingston Maurward College
Since the COVID lockdown periods, marked improvement in metacognition amongst some neurodivergent student groups have been discussed and noted. In the land-based FE college context of Kingston Maurward, an exploration of the flexible potential of Assistive Technology has been developed by specialist learning support tutors. Sandra will discuss how AT sustains a growth mindset and enables mutual exploration of alternative working methods between staff and students. AT use can allow individuals to maintain greater responsibility for balanced and bespoke learning and result in classes that are easier to manage. Classrooms which enable use of AT for all, regardless of diagnosis or self-diagnosis of differences, can alleviate the pressure loads in cognition. This can have a marked impact on mental wellbeing and balanced learning.
The Four Pillars of Positive AT Outcomes in the UK: Infrastructure, AT Skills, Financial Pathways, and Leadership
Julie Eshleman, Leonard Cheshire
In this presentation of research findings, Julie will delve into the four foundational elements that are instrumental in driving positive Assistive Technology (AT) outcomes in the UK. She will begin with an examination of the physical infrastructure, highlighting its role as the bedrock of technological reliability. Next, Julie will explore the importance of AT knowledge and skills, emphasising the need for continuous learning in the face of rapidly evolving technology. The third pillar, financial pathways, underscores the significance of sustainable funding models for acquiring and maintaining new AT. Lastly, leadership behaviours in adult social care leaders will be discussed, underscoring their influence in shaping tech-positive environments. By understanding these four pillars, delegates will better comprehend the UK’s AT landscape and work towards fostering an environment conducive to positive technology outcomes. This presentation aims to inspire thought, provoke discussion, and encourage further exploration into these critical areas.
Building a More Inclusive Assistive Technology Service
Richard Nind, Sheffield Hallam University
Over the past decade, Sheffield Hallam University’s (SHU) assistive technology service has shifted from Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) focused provision to a more inclusive model that supports students at any stage of their journey. This was first developed to offer group sessions and promote site-based assistive technologies to all students. Richard will present the lessons learned from this process which have influenced SHU’s specialised one-on-one service for disabled students. He will also show how their service has adapted to post-Covid changes in work and study patterns, along with a significant increase in students ineligible for DSAs, including international and apprenticeship students. As the service has evolved, SHU have adopted a limited number of assistive technologies that prioritize ease of use, ease of access, and self-service, while establishing clear routes and processes for students to access them. Although still offering individualised support and assessment, Richard will discuss the move towards a more generalist, institution-wide approach to the provision of assistive technology.
Establishing an AT competency framework
Rohan Slaughter, University of Dundee
Rohan will present on a research project established to develop and test an Assistive Technology competency framework. He will provide an overview of the supporting literature review that was undertaken as part of the project. Following the brief presentation an interactive activity will be carried out in the session to further test the framework with TechAbility delegates. The development team are particularly interested in the extensibility of the framework from education to health and social care contexts and would welcome colleagues from all sectors to contribute during this session.
Costs
£130 + VAT per person for Natspec member or Karten member organisations
£155 + VAT per person for Natspec Affiliate member organisations
£190 + VAT per person for non-member organisations
Timings
| 09:15 – 10:00 | Registration and Exhibition |
| 10:00 – 10:25 | Introduction to the day + exhibitor pitches |
| 10:30 – 11:05 | Breakout session 1
Choice from three sessions |
| 11:05 – 11:35 | Break, Exhibition and Networking |
| 11:40 – 12:15 | Breakout session 2
Choice from three sessions |
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch, Exhibition and Networking |
| 13:15 – 13:50 | Keynote speech |
| 13:50 – 14:25 | Hot topics discussion. |
| 14:30 – 15:05 | Breakout session 3
Choice from three sessions |
| 15:10 – 15:45 | Breakout Session 4
Choice from three sessions |
| 15:45 | Depart |
Venue
We are pleased to be hosting TechAbility24 at a world-class conference venue, The Royal Armouries museum. Situated close to the city centre on the bank of the river, the venue is highly accessible with step-free access, all rooms accessible via lifts, facilities for assistance dogs and a Changing Places toilet.
Easily accessible no matter how you travel, The Royal Armouries is within walking distance of Leeds train station. Or why not travel along the river from the station by using the Leeds Water-taxi?*. If you travel by road, there is a large car park only two minutes walk away from the venue.
A range of hotel accomodation choices are close to the venue and discounted booking links will be provided to conference delegates.
*Water taxi is unlikely to be accessible to delegates with limited mobility.
Exhibition
Headline Sponsor
DatabridgeMIS
DatabridgeMIS cater ONLY to the specialist sector ensuring colleges, schools, care homes and other organisations get the product they need and are the driving force of its development.
Exhibitors
Sensory App House
Sensory Readable is published by UK based Sensory App House. Sensory App House creates apps for speech therapy, AAC communication, early learning, communication and switch accessible “cause and effect” apps and games. Our Sensory apps are used by therapists and educators to help younger people. We have had over 4 million downloads through the app stores.
AT Superstore
AT Superstore is a one-stop-shop for all thing Assistive Technology, we want to make the process of exploring and purchasing AT and AT training as simple and as convenient as possible, you can search for AT products by disability, age, level of education or type of product, from homepage to purchase in as little as three clicks, AT Superstore has you covered.
EarSwitch
EarSwitch is aiming to provide a new opportunity for communication and assistive control from an earbud. By moving one of the smallest muscles in your body (a middle ear muscle) we have developed a handsfree and invisible control from earbuds…. And hope to progress this to provide a computer mouse function by both tracking your eyes (your eardrums move with eye movement) and with an “EarClick”.
Glean
Glean’s personal study app ensures learners don’t waste information that matters. Students capture everything from class, stay organised, review content at their own pace, and build personalised resources through a structured, AI-assisted learning process. We’re trusted by more than 750 institutions globally, empowering 100,000s of learners to reduce stress and learning waste, boost confidence, and improve learning and grades. And it works: 95% of users believe Glean helped them be a better learner.
Dolphin Computer Access
Dolphin Computer Access develops assistive technology to empower students who are vision or print impaired to read and learn independently. SuperNova Connect & Learn is an assistive technology kit for students with low vision. It enables students to read print, view the whiteboard and use Windows apps in a way that is accessible. EasyReader Premium empowers schools to make curriculum resources accessible for students to read at school and home on their tablet, laptop or smartphone.
DH2 Solutions
Our small but friendly and knowledgeable team uses their combined experience of over 30 years in the industry to provide you with the best possible service. Our expertise lies in all areas of Assistive Technology, Environmental Controls, Access Control and Computer Access. We can take you step by step from the design of the system, which is customised to individual requirements and environments, right through to installation and aftercare maintenance.
Scanning Pens
Multiple award winning assistive technology devices. From learning to working and reading for pleasure, our high-speed AI-based text recognition software is supported by world dictionaries and word breakdown functions that mean users never have to skip over a word they’re struggling with ever again.
Want to exhibit?
We still have sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available! The exhibition area at TechAbility24 is situated in a large space, right next to the main presentation room. Refreshments and lunch will be served in the same room as the exhibition, with easy access for delegates to stands and space for browsing and conversation.
Exhibitors at last year’s conference complimented the “Well organised, good venue, excellent quality of delegates and speakers.” and stated “everyone who engaged with me was interesting and interested… the can-do sort of contact I wanted to meet”.
As at previous events, every exhibitor will have a chance for an ‘elevator pitch’ at the start of the day, so delegates are aware of their presence and offering. This was described last year as “a great opportunity to feel that everyone knew who was there exhibiting”.
Please express an interest by contacting techability@natspec.org.uk
Speakers
Jane Seale
Jane has developed a national and international reputation as an expert in the fields of disability, technology and inclusion. In the higher education field her work focuses on the role that technologies play in making education more (or less) accessible and inclusive for disabled students. In the adult education field Jane specializes in examining the role that technologies play in the lives of adults with learning disabilities.
In 2020 Jane undertook some research which examined if and how people with learning disabilities were being supported to access technologies to keep connected and stay well during the pandemic. The resulting report revealed vital insights into the digital exclusion of people with learning disabilities but also highlighted the key characteristics of what ‘good’ support looked like when it was provided. This research informed the £2.5 million Digital Lifeline Project funded by DCMS.
Jane was President of the Association for Learning Technology (2006-7) was Co-Director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (2007-2010). She also served on the REF 2014 Education panel in the UK which had the responsibility for assessing the quality of research conducted in UK universities. During her career Jane has taken on a number of School, Faculty and University leadership roles including Director of Research, Director of Research Degrees, and Director of Social Science Postgraduate Training Centre.
Charlie Baxter
Charlie has been working in music leading and education since 2010. His first experience of music leading came after being spotted performing live by staff at National Star College. After delivering a one-off music workshop, he worked with them for three years using assistive technology as well as adapting mainstream instruments, and came away with an ongoing desire to make music enjoyable and accessible for all. Charlie joined The Music Works in 2022 as Senior Music Leader with a specialism in disability work and since then has been working with SEN and neurodiverse young people, pushing the boundaries of accessible tech to enable people with complex needs to access music. Charlie firmly believes that anyone can make music and is not just removing barriers but breaking them down. Charlie also performs as a musician himself, touring around the UK and Europe playing live electronic music.
Max Biancomi
Max has worked in the health and social care sector for the past 20 years, taking on various roles in different settings. Throughout this time, Max has developed a passion for supporting individuals’ independence through mainstream and assistive technology and best practices.
Since 2018, Max has managed JC Explore, a service that empowers vulnerable people with digital skills for everyday life. In this role, Max has collaborated with colleagues to create a more inclusive and accessible experience for both service users and the organisation.
More recently, Max has found a genuine interest in virtual reality (VR) and its potential to make a positive impact on the lives of older adults. VR, with its applications in entertainment, physical stimulation, rehabilitation, and reminiscing, has the power to enrich people’s life experiences.
Julie Eshleman
Julie has degrees in education and behaviour analysis, with a postgraduate certificate in organisational business psychology. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Stirling, with a research focus on how disabled people use technology to build the lives they want. Julie has worked as a teacher, trainer, clinical behaviour analyst, organisational behaviour consultant, and disabled technology user experience researcher for over 16 years. Her current focus is on building cultures and environments where disabled tech users can build lives they love.
Robert McLaren
Robert is Director of the ATech (Assistive and Accessible Technology) Policy Lab at the cross-party think tank Policy Connect. Robert’s team brings together disabled people, policymakers, and the tech sector to collaboratively design evidence-based policy to make technology work for everyone. His team’s work includes the research and policy workshop programme of the ATech Policy Lab, and supporting the APPG for Assistive Technology, a group of MPs and Peers with an interest in ATech (note: From 30 May to 17 July 2024, while Parliament is dissolved, APPGs must not be active). Robert’s team has produced reports including Smarter Homes for Independent Living (2022), and Frontline Accessibility (2023); a report on Supported Employment is forthcoming. Robert chairs the Department for Education’s Assistive Technology Engagement Group and has worked with the Cabinet Office to help scope for the proposed national Centre for ATech. Robert is severely dyslexic and uses ATech every day.
Helen Mills
Helen is Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality at Sense College East. She has a background both in the science industry and in the specialist further education sector. Helen’s areas of interest and qualification are in specialist teaching and assessment, communication approaches, multi-sensory impairment, and assistive technology. Having recently completed a Master’s degree in Educational Assistive Technology, she has been exploring ways of effectively embedding AT use across the college’s curriculum, and recognising the barriers to this. Helen is passionate about providing meaningful and memorable CPD to education teams, and empowering students to enhance their learning by providing them with the skills and opportunities to achieve enjoyment and independence in their adult lives.
Beth Moulam
Beth is a lifelong dreamer whose passion is to empower augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users to fulfil their own communication potential. She represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 in boccia. In 2021 she graduated from the University of York in Social Policy, and she continues her studies at post-grad level focusing on communication disability and policy. Outside of study, she is a Trustee of Communication Matters, the main charity supporting AAC users, families and professionals. Beth is also Patron of 1 Voice, a charity for young AAC users and their families. Beth has addressed the UNCRPD committee twice on communication rights representing the International Communication Rights Alliance. In 2023 Beth was nominated on the Disability Power 100 list (top UK disabled influencers) for her advocacy work, and is shortlisted for the 2024 awards. As a multimodal communicator Beth uses AAC including eye-gaze to communicate in everyday life.
John Schaer
John has been supporting people to use Assistive Technology for more than a decade. With an academic background in Computing, John has diverse experience across the charity, social care and education sectors. Previous job roles have included installing and maintaining AT solutions in Supported Living environments; project work advocating for the use of AT and digital technologies at an organisational level for a national charity; and working in a University as a Disability Adviser. John currently works as an Assistive Technologist at Activate CES, a specialist independent college based in Kirkby, Liverpool. He is responsible for the ongoing support of AT and AAC users at the college, working with staff and students in 1:1 and group settings to assess and develop their independence and communication skills. John has a keen interest in switch-adapted technology and accessibility in video gaming.
Rohan Slaughter
Rohan has been working to support technology in the education sector for more than 20 years. Rohan has an IT, assistive technology, and education management background. Between 2015 and 2020 Rohan worked for Jisc, the EdTech not-for-profit that provides support to colleges and universities. Rohan was previously employed at Beaumont College as assistant principal and formerly as the head of technology. Rohan is a member of the Natspec technology strategy group and is currently vice chair of the Karten Network board.
Rohan joined the University of Dundee as a senior lecturer in Assistive Technology at the end of 2020. Rohan is working to support the development and delivery of an MSc in Educational Assistive Technology that aims to professionalise the assistive technologist role and to provide professional development pathways for people who wish to support the assessment, provisioning and ongoing support of Assistive Technology.
Libby Wilkins
Libby is Assistant Principal at The Oaks Specialist College, where she specialises in everyday and assistive technologies to support young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Most recently, Libby has been leading the college’s accessibility offer, sharing her expertise at conferences and has been named a UK Accessibility Fellow by Microsoft for 2023-24.
Libby brings a holistic approach to transitions, giving learners an opportunity to practice life skills in a safe setting, enabling them to grow towards living independently and gaining employment; increasing impact whilst saving staff time in planning, delivery and assessment. Libby recognises the critical role technology plays in our day-to-day lives. She works closely with the Transitions Lead and Careers team at the Oaks, focusing on ensuring that stakeholders and employers are upskilled to maintain learners’ use of assistive and everyday technology to increase their autonomy of independence.
Her passion is ensuring her learners are empowered by technology, making use of accessibility features to overcome challenges within their future lives.