BETT 2025 – Day 1 – AccessAbility Solutions

As is my tradition I write up the things I saw and the things I did.

First of all , BETT 2025 is 40 years old and they produced this T-Shirt with my name of it. The second thing in life with my name on it after the High Speed Train

In relation to what I did I was involved in a panel discussion on AT and Higher Education with my old friend and colleague Dave Banes and Kellie Mote from JISC,

So what I saw that took my eye. Well, nothing mind blowing but some interesting stuff. There is usually a trend at BETT. This year it’s AI. AI is everywhere on the stands from Microsoft’s Co-Pilot and Agents ( yet to understand what they do!) to AI powered systems in vendors products.

BrainFreeze offers an AI system for education . You can sign up for a free version showing its potential. I haven’t got access yet but will feedback later on this product which is offering discounts at the moment.

Scanning Pens have a new pen out which works with over 40 languages has a new colour display and is a mini computer in your pocket.

Robotpen is a device that can be used to solve Maths problems and has an AI-powered tutor that answers your questions. It can be used with an app and also link to larger devices

Jam-Coding good to see them at BETT. I was impressed by their scheme on coding. I especially like their work with autism. That’s because the owner – Roger – is autistic themselves. They are promoting a 50% discount on their E-safety workshops and Free E-Safety resources for E-Safety week.

CherryPot is a Korean company promoting Maths skills and tools which prompts and helps students learn Maths concepts.

Bow Tie Maths is a UK teacher inspired idea that helps pupils work on their Maths and find their gaps. Well worth a look to see if it can help your pupils. Designed for GCSE Maths and a good tool for revision.

Catch Box is an audio capture device that you can literally throw around the room! In a lovely soft cube that is dribble proof this might be a solution for a special needs classroom but other devices apply.

Plex is a company that work with HE/FE in giving students information about university and college building about the amount of people in a lecture room. It also identifies quiet spaces for students to use if they are feeling stress. It’s cloud-based so could work on a browser or you could use a large display. It works through counting people coming in and out of buildings. It doesn’t take personal details if you were worried about that! See the large screen display below

Well that’s from Day 1.

Report back on Day 2.

Testimonies

“1’d like to give a shout out to Myles Pilling, BA,M.Ed. and encourage anyone who needs training and support around assistive tech to reach out to him directly. was lucky enough to have several hours of training with Myles thanks to my Access to Work grant. Myles’ training though? Well, it was closer to coaching than training. He didn’t assume. He asked me to show him what I did so he could offer refinements and tweaks.

But the most important thing Myles did was question why I was doing what I was doing; what was the benefit, why was it needed, and if it was what was the most effective way of doing it? No more ‘stick a tech plaster on a Luddite broken leg’ – instead Myles helped me work most effectively with my tech, by helping me figure out when and how I needed it. The absolute best bit? Thanks to working with Myles, I never ever need to do filing again.

Seriously. Never.

Myles helped me set up a system that I would likely never have discovered without him, that allows my work to be recorded and autosaved without a single follow up step.” Leah , Consultant , Search for Serenity

“Accessibility Smyles continues to serve up timely information about the latest and best technology for individuals with unique needs. Always pleased to receive these helpful resources with related links. I share them with parents, educators and others who serve the many with reading and learning challenges. (Thank you, Myles!)” – Jean

“I’ve known Myles for many years, he’s my go-to expert for all this Accessibility, so much so that he’s our resident expert at Anderton Tiger Radio. Whenever we feature this topic he’s always there with excellent advice and guidance, in fact you can listen to him again here from our January radio show https://www.buzzsprout.com/695014/2586430-myles-pilling-talks-about-technologies-for-send-that-have-caught-his-eye-at-bett-2020 Highly recommended, Myles is most definitely one of the top 5 experts in his field in the UK” – Russell Prue, Anderson Tiger

“After one of your recent training sessions, I visited your Techsavvy session and discovered the virtual tour guides. A a result my husband and I enjoyed a splendid trip to Edinburgh. A city I have avoided for a number of years due to its challenges for a wheelchair user due to its very steep streets and cobbles. I think the sessions you have posted are really good and I hoped you would be happy if I suggested these to clients, I am assisting in my volunteering journey. I am also liaising with a local charity who are trying to encourage their older members and I think they too could benefit from your regular hints and tips so would like to suggest they pass on the Techsavvy links. You really are an inspiration.” –

Heather Sneddon

South West Scotland Coordinator , AbilityNet