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Empowering Everyone: A Look at Useful Assistive Technology Apps
Empowering Everyone: A Look at Useful Assistive Technology Apps My little sister is headed off to the University of Pittsburgh next week, which got me thinking about my own time in college and the assistive technology I wish I had back then. Today, technology has opened up incredible new possibilities, making tasks more…
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Real Inclusion: Why Leaders Must Actively Advocate for Disability
Real Inclusion: Why Leaders Must Actively Advocate for Disability Leaders are often good at anticipating the needs of their employees and members, but what happens when those needs are not immediately obvious? A recent article highlights how people with disabilities—both visible and not—often face significant challenges…
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Tool for mass dyslexia screening being developed
A new digital tool called Talamo, co-developed by Jamie Wace in Devon, is set to revolutionise dyslexia screening in UK schools. Unlike traditional one-to-one assessments, which can cost up to £800 per child, Talamo enables class-wide screening in a single session for around £10 per pupil…
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The Telegraph: Labour poised to scrap support for special needs pupils
Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, said: “There’s no doubt that the EHCP system could be better.“But I think following what’s happened with Pip and seeing what’s happened with ADHD and the NHS, it’s very hard to trust that the Government is going to actually put something in that’s better, and not use any change…
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Why is home education on the rise in London, UK
We know that home education is higher for neurodiverse community as the education system often doesn’t met their needs but it is interest to see the full range of options more and more parents are doing this. Parents across England are choosing home education for reasons including lifestyle choices, religious or cultural…
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Addressing the Student Housing Crisis: A Look at What It Really Takes
Addressing the Student Housing Crisis: A Look at What It Really Takes The challenges facing college students today extend far beyond tuition fees. A critical and often overlooked issue is housing insecurity, which profoundly impacts students' ability to succeed academically and personally. A recent virtual forum, "What It…
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Mind the Gap the GCSE dyslexic divide
This really shows how the education system is not fair and inclusive. Marking achievement needs to be looked at in a different way. Introduction:Analysis of 2023/2024 data reveals stark disparities in GCSE attainment once again highlighting the significant challenges faced by dyslexic students within the UK education…
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June 2025 APPG - Teacher Training: Getting it Right
The APPG for Dyslexia met in Westminster on 9 June to discuss 'Teacher Training: Getting it Right'. The meeting, chaired by Juliet Campbell, MP for Broxtowe was attended by MPs and Peers, who listened to evidence from dyslexia charities, a teacher training provider and the National Education Union that an ambitious…
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Jamie Dyslexia Revolution
In the UK Channel 4 showed a documentary with Jamie Oliver calling on the government to improvement the Education to be inclusive of those with Dyslexia. We need the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to make sure our education system works for all children – including those with dyslexia. If you’ve…
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AI in Education: Empowering Students with Disabilities, But Challenges Remain
AI in Education: Empowering Students with Disabilities, But Challenges Remain Imagine a world where students with disabilities can overcome learning challenges and thrive in the classroom. This isn't science fiction but the exciting reality of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. AI-powered tools like text-to-speech,…
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Government Threat SEND education
This article is highlighting that the Schools Minister, Catherine McKinnell, has not ruled out replacing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), is deeply alarming. For over a decade, EHCPs have been the cornerstone of support for hundreds of thousands of Disabled children, providing a legal entitlement to the specific…
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Constructing Normalcy
In my last post I commented on the urge towards normalcy- and how so many of us are not in fact this ideal of "normalcy" - yet all of us work to uphold these unattainable social constructs. It reminded me of the opening chapter in Lennard J. Davis's "Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body." This is an…
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Disability Themes and Concepts in Books
In a conversation about navigating complexities of the disability identity development- I was recommended to read the book "Covering: The Hidden Assault on our Civil Rights" by Kenji Yoshino. Yoshino is a lawyer and musician, who identifies as a gay Asian male. He weaves in his own experience of suppression and intentional…
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IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Real Deal?
IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Real Deal? Ever heard the terms "IEP" and "504 plan" floating around and felt a little lost? You're not alone! These are two key ways schools support students with disabilities, but they work differently. Think of it like this: both aim to help kids succeed, but take slightly different paths.…
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The sunflower Landyard partner with the Scouts
It is great to see children been taught about hidden disabilities, awareness is a real key in breaking down the barriers in society.
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Responsibility to support Disabled students in medical professional programs
I recently was a part of a conversation on course development at our national conference for Occupational Therapy (OT). Education consists of graduate level program where the students need to pass their coursework at 80% or higher, need to pass clinical rotations, and graduate the program. Once graduated, students then…
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Research into learning to read in the digital age
I found this article on the research really interesting and learning to reach with technology may affect dyslexia. It made me think which I prefer digital or paper? I really do think digital as it allows me to change the format to what is best for me.
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Learning at your own pace
As some that is a visual learning (learning by seeing and doing rather than reading or been told). I thought this was brilliant to build real life workplace in a training setting for hands on learning experience with out the real life pressures. I hope we see more of this.
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Pupils left 'humiliated' by school's lanyard rules
I am a fan of the daisy lanyard scheme however I think it should always be your choice to disclose impairments and should never been forced in education or the workplace.
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BDA response to the Curriculum and Assessment review call for evidence
The British Dyslexia Association has submitted evidence in the review including observations and recommendations in hope to help create a better learning experience for dyslexic’s.
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Appealing treatment in UK special schools
Following this week discovery of another school’s appealing treatment of students with Autism. I found this article on it very insightful reflection on the situation.
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Vat on Private schools affecting SEND
In the UK Private schools are now having to pay VAT at 20% on Fees. This effecting SEND pupils as many attend private schools to have their needs met. As this article shows for many this is unaffordable. Surely if a pupil has an impairment and is attending an private school to ensure this is met the government should waive…
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Hearing feedback, accepting criticism and building a better Ofsted: the response to the Big Listen
Ofsted published its findings from the “Big Listen” - a 12-week public consultation from March to May of this year that asked people for their views across 4 areas. The consultation received in excess of 16,000 responses: the largest consultation in its history. The consultation also heard from 4,300 children who responded…
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JCQ guidance on Exam arrangements
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published the Access Arrangements and guidance for the academic year 2024 – 2025. These arrangements are available to eligible students taking public exams next summer. Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments such as extra time, a reader or a scribe which allow…
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National careers UK government service
Found this page with interesting advice from the government for those about to continue studies with educational special needs or disability. It seem timely to share in case helpful for anyone.
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UK Infographic on SEN
Really nice to see this in a more visual friendly form than the normal reports.
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Uk disabled student allowance government review of non medical help
Back in April the UK government started a review into non-medical help for those in higher education it said this was to improve things and was collecting evidence. I hope as we see a new government in post now it really will bring improvements and not be able cuts or passing the responsibility on to Institutes.
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Online Testing Accessibility?
Recently I was provided an opportunity to take a test online using Pearson Vue. Not sure if anyone else has had an opportunity to use this platform and i would be interested in your prerogative. Unfortunately, my experience I encountered was one of significant lack of accessibility. Any thoughts on this would be…
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Ofsted big listen for children to complete with a you tube video and question read out.
Often Children are ignored and not listen to either when the customer so it great to see them included in this. I also love the idea of the You tube video alongside the survey which reads to questions along, more survey's and forms etc should have this for adults too.
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Uk new special schools announced
I saw the news that new special schools are been planned and with the current issues with SEND provisional I should be pleased but actually was sceptical. Then I read another article that confirmed my concerns.