TechAbility Conference 2026
19 November 2026. Coventry Building Society Arena
“Fantastic event — I left feeling inspired and motivated.”
Our aim is that delegates leave TechAbility conference knowing they are better equipped to support technology use in an enabling and transformative way.
95% of delegates at the 2025 conference said they were very likely, or likely, to apply learning from the conference in their workplace. One delegate called it the “stand‑out event of the year.”
“All sessions were well-put together, engaging and inspiring”
“An excellent range of talks that dealt with the reality of working with accessible tech.”
All presentations and workshops at TechAbility26 will be focussed on practice and research.
“Really well organised… Appreciated that there was plenty of time for networking.”
Throughout the day you will also have opportunities to meet with a wide range of Assistive Technology suppliers and discuss the solutions they provide. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with other delegates.
Keynote: Dreaming big, working hard and being resilient as an Assistive Technology user
Beth is the author of “How to live audAACiously: The Ultimate Lived Experience Guide to AAC”, a book full of practical hints, tips and hacks. Beth uses a range of Assistive Technology solutions in her daily life and will share what ‘being audAACious’ means to her. How communication is the golden thread running through life, from making the simplest request to being an equal communication partner every day, by not giving up when the road seems steep, by trying again and keeping going.
Beth will also provide insights and lived experience of having a voice and being empowered, growing with staff, the significance of literacy, technology and the importance of connection, belonging and being valued. She will highlight the need to prepare for life after school or college by developing the skills to feel in control for adult life and independent living, including authenticity, self-advocacy and self-determination.
Beth’s experience of using AAC and AT to dream big, work hard and be resilient will provide highly valuable insights for AT users and the people who support them.
Breakout sessions
TechAbility26 will provide a range of presentations so no matter your level of experience, or which types of digital AT you deliver, there is a pathway to meet your requirements.
The following presentations have been confirmed with more to be announced.
Smartglasses as AT: opportunities and ethics
Embedding AT and AI for access, independence and consistency
The missing piece: ATech and employment transition
Strengthening the intersection of AAC and AT: Insights and a planning resource
Assistive Technology to support formative assessments
Completing the picture: why cultural change is as important as technology
HandShake: Gesture as control with a smartwatch
Try before you buy: Building an Assistive Technology lending library
What does ‘very important’ mean? The impact of AT on user’s lives
Costs
£160 + VAT per person for Natspec member or Karten member organisations
£185 + VAT per person for Natspec Affiliate organisations
£205 + VAT per person for non-member organisations
If you need to stay the night before, the Hilton Hotel is located in the Coventry Stadium building. We’ve negotiated a preferential rate – details will be provided when your book. Alternatively there are several hotels within a small radius.
Sponsorship and exhibition
“Everyone who engaged with me was interesting and interested… the can-do sort of contact I wanted to meet.”
The exhibition at TechAbility26 will surround the lunch and refreshment area, so delegates are naturally encouraged into the space during breaks.
Every exhibitor at TechAbility26 will have an ‘elevator pitch’ at the start of the day. This ensures delegates are aware of their presence and offering. The elevator pitch is always popular with exhibitors and has been described by delegates as “a great opportunity to feel that everyone knew who was there exhibiting”.
Please express an interest by contacting techability@natspec.org.uk and someone will be in touch to share the opportunities with you.
The TechAbility Conference attracts highly engaged and motivated staff who deliver Assistive Technology in specialist and mainstream education, adult care and health settings. A high proportion of delegates are from professional services – people who support multiple settings.
Venue
TechAbility26 will take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Getting to the venue is straightforward, it even has its own train station! Coventry Arena Station.
If you’d rather drive, the arena is half a mile from Junction 3 of the M6 with a massive car park. Postcode CV6 6AQ.
Flying is also a possibility with Birmingham Airport just 30 minutes by train, or 20 minutes away by taxi.