A look back at how your voices shaped our sessions.
What an academic year it was! Every session, every experiment, every new idea we explored came directly from you — the Accessibility community members. You contributed your thoughts and ideas, and together we turned those into conversations, collaborations, and practical sessions that made a difference across FE and HE.
Here’s the year in review…
October- Unlocking independence through everyday tech
You said: accessibility doesn’t always mean specialist tools — everyday technology can be powerful.
We did: invited Libby Wilkins from Oaks College to show how mainstream devices, apps, and platforms are used in creative ways to support students and staff. It was all about making tech feel natural and achievable, nurturing independence and successful adoption both in study and beyond.
November – Successful deployment of assistive tech for students with vision impairments
You said: you wanted a proper deep dive into supporting learners with vision impairments.
We did: dedicated the November drop-in to exactly that, with expert guests from Dolphin Computer Access and the Assistive Technology Network, including the wonderful Ros Walker.
We looked at what “successful deployment” really means — from technical set-up to everyday student experience. And while Dolphin shared insights, the discussion reached well beyond one product, with plenty of space for your questions, stories, and challenges.
January – Shaping the future: Priorities for accessible and assistive tech
You said: let’s set the agenda together for 2025.
We did: kicked off the year with a reflective, forward-looking session where we shared ideas, gathered yours, and started shaping priorities for the year ahead.
Together, we explored:
- Early ideas and offers from the Jisc team
- What you’d most like to see in 2025 — from training to resources to vendor engagement
- Insights from special guests who helped us think bigger
This was all about giving the community a real say in what happens next.
March – Exploring generative AI and accessible communication
You said: AI is changing fast — how will it affect accessibility?
We did: invited Andy Coverdale and Katy Brickley to explore how generative AI can help (and sometimes hinder) accessible communication.
The discussion looked at opportunities — like tailoring and simplifying text — as well as the risks, such as clarity and accuracy. The takeaway? AI can be a great helper, but only if used thoughtfully and inclusively.
April – “The Chatterbox”
You said: sometimes we just need a relaxed, open space to ask the “messy, honest, I’ve been wondering…” questions.
We did: gave Laura the reins for a solo experiment while Kellie was away — and The Chatterbox was born!
With no agenda, no slides, and no pressure, this session was about curiosity, connection, and conversation. Topics ranged from “What’s good enough when time is short?” to “What have students taught you that completely changed your thinking?”
May – Experimenting with AI for captioning corrections
You said: captioning is essential but time-consuming. Can AI help?
We did: spotlighted an exciting project at the University of Edinburgh, where Nelly Iacobescu told us their approach to captioning and their use of AI to streamline corrections when dealing with specialist terminology.
We explored:
- How Edinburgh’s captioning correction service works
- What AI got right (and wrong!)
- Experiences from across the sector about captioning challenges
June – Accessibility matters in procurement
You said: procurement feels like a huge barrier to getting accessibility right.
We did: ran a focused session on improving accessibility into Jisc procurement, including how to shape question sets and offer documents, with the aim of giving member institutions confidence in discussing accessibility earlier in the purchasing process.
Extra Highlight: QA Testers Advanced Course – June 2025
You said: specialist training is often locked away for big organisational groups, making it hard for individuals to access.
We did: partnered with Hassell Inclusion to bring their Advanced QA Testers course to Jisc members — the first time it’s been made available in this way.
With the free Fundamentals course running just before, members could build skills step by step before tackling the advanced content. A brilliant example of the community shaping new opportunities.
July – Coming together in person
You said: the community wanted chances to meet face-to-face, to build connections beyond the screen and share accessibility work in a more personal way.
We did: we partnered with University of Glasgow for an in-person session, creating space for deeper conversations, networking, and peer learning.
Looking to 2025/26
The year ahead promises to be just as community-driven. We’ll be focusing on the themes you tell us matter most.
You’ll hear more soon about confirmed session topics for autumn 2025 — and of course, there’ll always be space for open Q&A and community-led discussion.
If you’d like to get involved:
- Join the Accessibility Community Group on Microsoft Teams to share ideas, continue discussions, and connect with peers
- Bookmark the Accessibility Community Drop-in page to keep track of dates, topics, and recordings
- Drop us a comment with your ideas for future sessions — or tell us what you’d like to see again
Your voice matters. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive digital experience across education.