The UK government is launching a pilot program to provide assistive technology to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in up to 4,000 schools.
With a budget of £1.7 million, the initiative aims to enhance learning, communication, and classroom inclusion for children with disability.
The program will establish “lending libraries” in around 32 local authorities, allowing schools to borrow and trial a range of devices. These will include reading pens that can scan text and read it aloud, dictation tools that convert spoken words into text, and tablets that use images to help pupils who are non-verbal communicate.
A key feature of the pilot is the “try before you buy” approach, enabling schools to assess the impact of different devices on students before making an investment. This will help ensure that the technology meets the specific needs of each child. The initiative is expected to support children with a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, autism, and ADHD. By providing access to innovative technology, the government hopes to create more inclusive and supportive educational environments.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasised the need to identify and support children’s needs at an early stage, while Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell highlighted the potential of assistive technology to unlock learning for children with SEND.
Australia could benefit from a similar initiative, providing students with disability greater access to assistive technology and helping to create more inclusive learning environments.
For more information, read the Mirror’s article on the UK’s new initiative for giving assistive technology to students.