BETT 2025 – Day 2

Well this should be simple to report on for our only caught one new product and visited my old friends Texthelp (now called Everway) . Seek them out on SK41. As to Everway they have new AI assisted voices added to their free ReadWrite extension for Google Chrome. They give better pronunciation and inflection to their speech engine. You might need to re-install to get them. But if you go into Settings and Speech you will see AI assisted voices. I am saying this as I missed it myself.

Odoo.com/education

Odoo is a Belgian based company giving pupils and students experience of running a business. I think it will help any business studies module. Not particularly designed to be accessible but I think the process would work well for students with different needs. It is a business software available for teachers. It’s free to use and puts the user into the position of running a business and the different process in an engaging way using WhatsApp like features.

… and that’s it

BETT 2025 – Day 1

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.

Strategies for Thriving as a Digital Nomad with Disabilities 


Image by Freepik

Adopting a digital nomad lifestyle allows for a balance of independence and opportunity, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Careful preparation and adaptability play a key role in navigating the challenges that come with this way of living. Using accessible technology and engaging in remote learning helps expand knowledge and capabilities. Staying informed about cross-border regulations ensures smooth operations and minimizes potential complications. Building relationships within like-minded communities offers both guidance and a sense of belonging.

Understanding Legal and Financial Challenges

As a digital nomad with disabilities, understanding the legal and financial landscape is crucial for a seamless experience. Each country has unique visa requirements, and working on a tourist visa is often not permitted, making it essential to secure the appropriate work permits. Additionally, tax obligations can be intricate, as governments are increasingly updating laws to ensure compliance from remote workers. To navigate these complexities, consider leveraging services that offer guidance in managing these challenges. By staying informed and compliant, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a nomadic lifestyle while minimizing potential legal and financial risks.

Embrace the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with an Online Degree

Pursuing an online degree can be a transformative step for individuals with disabilities looking to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle. For instance, earning a degree in psychology not only enhances your understanding of human behaviour but also equips you with skills to support others, making it a versatile choice for remote work. Check this out: Online programs offer the flexibility to balance your studies with existing commitments, allowing you to maintain your current job while advancing your education. By selecting a program that aligns with your goals, you can seamlessly integrate learning into your life.

Embracing Sustainable Travel as a Digital Nomad with Disabilities

Living sustainably means aligning travel aspirations with personal health and ecological responsibility. Selecting eco-conscious and accessible accommodations helps reduce environmental impact while maintaining comfort. Supporting local businesses deepens cultural connections and bolsters the local economy. Remote work allows for exploring new places without excessive travel, reducing harm to the environment. Thoughtful decisions that honour ecological integrity and cultural heritage create a meaningful lifestyle that respects both people and the planet.

Building a Supportive Network as a Digital Nomad with Disabilities

Starting a digital nomad journey with disabilities calls for careful destination planning, focusing on places with inclusive and welcoming communities. Many hubs are known for combining co-living and co-working spaces designed to encourage connection and collaboration. These setups often include wellness facilities and events that support a healthy and engaged lifestyle. Engaging with such communities can provide valuable resources and a sense of belonging. Immersing yourself in these environments helps manage the demands of remote work while enriching your overall experience.

Enhancing Digital Nomad Security for Individuals with Disabilities

Safeguarding your sensitive data while working remotely is essential. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help protect your internet connection by encrypting data, ensuring a secure link between your device and the company network. This is crucial for maintaining privacy and security, especially when accessing public Wi-Fi. Additionally, a password manager can simplify the management of complex passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts. By incorporating these tools into your routine, you not only protect your info but also enhance the security of your work environment.

Creating a Comprehensive Medical Dossier

Creating a thorough medical dossier ensures smooth access to healthcare when traveling internationally. Include a detailed medical history, outlining chronic conditions, allergies, and past procedures, to help providers understand your needs quickly. Document all current medications with their generic and brand names, dosages, and manufacturers to avoid prescription issues. Carry a card listing emergency contacts and healthcare providers for added security in urgent situations. Organizing these details allows for confident and prepared travel, even in unfamiliar healthcare systems.

Building a Digital Nomad Community Online

Utilizing social media can significantly enhance your journey as a digital nomad with a disability. By engaging with online communities of digital nomads and disability advocates, you can establish a supportive network that provides both emotional support and practical guidance. These connections can open doors to new opportunities and resources that might not be accessible through traditional means. Sharing your unique experiences and challenges on platforms like Anywhereist can create a sense of belonging and mutual understanding, which is essential for both personal and professional development.

Living as a digital nomad with disabilities offers a path of growth and independence. With the right resources and preparation, it’s possible to build a flexible and rewarding lifestyle. Prioritizing education and fostering connections can lead to meaningful opportunities and a supportive community. Every experience, whether through travel or networking, adds depth and inclusivity to your journey. The focus extends beyond the places you go, highlighting the value of personal growth and shared experiences.

Suzanne Tanner

ceased trading – but still sharing AT information

Having retired in December 2024 means that I can still share things of interest in the AT world. BETT is coming up and I am on a panel discussing inclusion in higher education. For more details of that go to:-

“Myles will be at BETT, participating in a panel discussion in the Higher Education theatre on Wednesday 22nd January. You can find all the details at this link: https://uk.bettshow.com/2025-agenda/building-inclusive-campus-culture-send-students-using-technology” – BATA Bulletin for January 2025

Microsoft are promoting AI for learning and are show casing Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot and Agents. Yet to see what these agents are like but keep your eye on this blog and the sister blog discussingai.blog . For looking at Co-Pilot go to https://m365copilot.com/

I hope to spend a bit more time doing podcasts more regularly. These might be on new directions in AT or general topic discussions surrounding the world of AT. Tune in at The Smyles Podcast – AccessAbility Solutions – there are 78 episodes to listen to. They won’t take up to much of your time as I try to stick to one topic for 5 minutes!

One last thing. Just come across Everway which is going to be the new partnership and name for Texthelp the well know company that’s produced Read & Write. Look interesting with products like SymbolStix packs that can aide communication for symbol users. Find out more at Everway products – tools for the way we learn, work and live | Everway. This will be talked about at BETT so go to stand SK41 and grab a coffee and a friendly chat with Texthelp.

I wish you all the best in 2025 and have a great year in using AT!

Episode 78 – 40 years of Assistive Technology

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9jc3t-178c992
Looking back over my career

WDA Newsletter – Issue 10 – deceMber 2024

I have to say another fabulous resource produced by Caroline Fowke for our local Dyslexia Association. Jam packed with useful content, information and Christmas resources. Well done Caroline!

Greetings to all

Thank you for a great year and to appreciate all what we have achieved together. I just wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year,

retirement!

This is advance notice that at the end of December 2024 I shall be retiring and therefore winding up AccessAbility Solutions.

I am 72 yrs old and due to a medical incident earlier this year which has led to a pacemaker fitted my body is telling me to slow down. In fact, I have always said that if my body is telling me this I should retire so that is my cue!

I have worked in the Special Needs and Assistive Technology area for 40 years and it’s been a privilege and honour to be at the forefront of so many assistive technology initiatives and projects such as “The Power of Assistive Technology” films series and the “Teachers for AT” Campaign.” You can still download the films and join the “Teachers for AT.”

I am stepping down from the British Assistive Technology Association Council, of which I have been a member since 2013. I am also ceasing my subcontracting for Neurobox. I may do the occasional conference or inset.

I am keeping going with AbilityNet as a County Co-Ordinator as I feel that is where my skills are really needed with an appropriate age group of seniors and disabled people.

It’s been a blast! Certainly the last 12 years of doing AccessAbility Solutions. Thank you for visiting here! I will keep this website going and post things that inspire and inform people so keep watching here.

Myles Pilling, 28.11.24

techability 2024

As always a great show that takes me back to my roots in education which was special educational needs teacher for severe and profound learning disabilities. In terms of new kit Dr Paul Blenkhorn and David Stephens have some exciting additions coming to their Sensory Readable software in the new year. Making use of Voice Access Control and Live captioning there are going to be new features that give instant text to speech feedback and the saving of live captioning into MP3 format if needed. This could have huge implications for hearing impaired students as well as those needed text to speech feedback for their work and studies. Really pleased to meet David and Paul as the first exhibitors to TechAbility 2024.

The actual conference itself proved to be very worthwhile and well planned. The have the keynote just after lunch was genius to allow people to get there and settle into the conference. I also love the hot topics sessions – a round table affair where things like Supporting the Supporters of AT and Professional Members for Assistive Technology were discussed. All good news and the right direction for us to take at this time in our history.

Rohan Slaughter gave a detailed and important lead on AT Competancy Framework based on research and practise. He did a brilliant job of collecting information from delegates and then recording this back live and comparing it to what a live team of research contributors have told him. The good news they were very compatible and we all felt we were all singing from the same hymn sheet by the end of the talk. I look forward to the research being published and more tools being developed that can help assessment and training to occur.

Training was the theme for Professor Jane Searle also as she has been looking at assistive technology for people with learning disabilities. She’s produced a set of videos with SeeAbility & the Open University to help train support/care workers to make effective use of AT. As someone who has been in this industry for as a long as I have means their is a kindred spirit who see the changes needed in our care system to make the phrase “ It’s not my job” as regards assistive technology for people with learning disabilities go away!

Thanks to Fil McIntyre and the TechAbility team for yet another great conference. I recommend you head over to the training section of the TechAbility website for some great resources that can help you. https://www.techability.org.uk/training/

assisitve technology for adults in the workplace

With the advent of Access to Work a goverment initiative that enables employees to access a range of services including asissitve technology has a significant impact on the workplace. So what kinds of technology and what needs can assistive technology help with differently abled people ( like this term as the more negetaive term – disabled people).

Sensory Impairments

Asisitve technology can enable those with visual impairment to have maginification available to them to enbale there visual impairment to be alleivate to a major extent. All software can be enhance through a toolbar that works with any software. Tools that enable enlragement of text for PDF’s and websites. Some of the tools are free or built into the operating systems but also can be met by admittedly expensive software but necessary to get the customising potentials of this software. Some visual conditions vary each day so this customisation offered byt these specialised software can aide access. For those with hearing impairement the use of hearing aids that can be customised to suit the situation is useful. Captioning tools especially for online meetings is key. Both free and padi for solutions can help those with hearing impairment to take part in meetings. Smart glasses with AI that can help hearing impaired users to interact with colleagues and customers as captions can be gernated diredtly to thr screen,

Physical Disabiliites

Access is now avaialble via specialised periphherals from eye-gaze to swtiches to joysticks and on-sceen keyboard. Moutning and positiioning are key to enable the user to access their hardware and fulfil their productivity in the workplace. Such users are generally wheelchair users and therefofre ramps and physical access to a desk for a wheelchair.

Neurodivergency

Perhaps the most significant category of need and the most impactful as solutions can almost make neurodivergency almost disappear. From spelling correction to mindmapping to organisational tools enable and empower the neurodivergent user to be productive. For those with ADHD prioritisation of tasks can be signifcantly impact the user in the workplace as their stress levels reduce onve that felling of being in control of your workflow is felt. For meetings thte use of AI can enable a revolution in note-taking means manual note takigin is history. Checking the AI notes is worth doing to ensure action points and notes are accurate. AI can also be used to comprise detailed breakdown and explanation of projects for those who find writing such documents difficult.

We have spoken in general terms so far. So what products do this? As an independent consultant I have to be aware of multiplatform solutions as well as a wide range of free and paid for solutions. So the following list is not exhaustive but essential

Visual Impairment

SuperNova form Dolphin Compute Systems – £425 https://www.visionaid.co.uk/supernova-magnifier

NVDA Screen reader – £free – https://www.visionaid.co.uk/supernova-magnifier

Windows 10/11 – £free – Magnication access within the operating system

Apple iOS devices – Zoom and Voice Over for maginifcation and contol

Hearing Imparment

Windows 10/11 – £free = captioning tools

PowerPoint – £free =captioning option

Microsoft Teams – £free – captioning

Caption Ed – subscription-based Lite £25.00 a month or £50.00 for prfessional. https://caption-ed.com/

XRAI Glasses – Free, Premium and Ultimate subscription packages for smart glasses https://xrai.glass/

Physical Disabilities

Incluisve Technology – one stop shop for switches, joysticks, mountings. https://www.inclusive.com/uk/

Neurodivergency

Texthelp Read&Write – £250 per year for individual users enterprise – talk to texthelp systems for detailed pricing for organisations – https://xrai.glass/

Global Tasks – access to work and talk to texthel for subsription model – https://www.texthelp.com/en-gb/solutions/dsa/global-tasks/

Grammarly – free grammar tools with ai https://www.grammarly.com/

Goblin Tools – £t – range of ai tools to aide writing for specific audiences – https://goblin.tools/

Co-Pilot – £free – artificial intelligence – great for finding research and pracical jobs – https://copilot.microsoft.com/

For a wider discussing of ai please look at and comment on my discussing ai blogsite. https://discussingai.blog