Assistive Technology Network (ATN) online discussion session
Friday 7 November 11:00 – 12:00
Please note that our usual first Wednesday of the month accessibility drop-in will not run in November.
Instead, we’re encouraging you to join a special Assistive Technology Network (ATN) online discussion session taking place on Friday 7 November, 11:00am–12:00pm.
A revival of previous “Ideas Room” sessions this format creates space for open conversation, collaboration, and shared learning across further and higher education.
During this first ATN Discussion Session, participants will split into breakout rooms to explore a range of topics, including:
- Smart glasses as assistive technology – functionality and addressing privacy concerns
- Supporting visually impaired (VI) students to be ready for FE/HE
- The impact of generative AI on assistive tools
- How people are identifying, finding and accessing AT training and support
This session is open to staff currently working in FE and HE and will not be recorded to support open discussion.
If you’d like to attend, please subscribe to the ATN JiscMail list and look out for the joining details which will be posted next week.
We hope you’ll come along to this alternative session and be part of the wider conversation about accessibility and assistive technology.
About the community drop-in
Are you struggling to meet web accessibility regulations? Or reshaping your digital provision to make teaching and learning more inclusive?
This live online accessibility community drop-in gives you the opportunity to ask questions about digital inclusion, provide feedback on areas that are problematic, and share your accessibility journey with others.
During the drop-in you’ll:
- Have an opportunity to share your experiences with and learn from like-minded people at different stages of developing accessible policy and practice
- Gain feedback and support on any areas that may have been problematic
- Get signposting to other resources and links to communities of practice where appropriate
- Establish links with people working to overcome the same problems
- Get the opportunity to shape the Jisc offer in this area
Sessions are led by our subject specialists Laura Hutton and Kellie Mote, with input from colleagues and recognised specialists.
Accessibility community drop-ins will run from 12:30 to 13:30 on the first Wednesday of each month during the academic calendar.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in accessibility. You don't need to be an expert or working in accessibility to contribute. If you're interested in making the world more accessible for everyone, you're welcome!
Monthly drop-ins are open to Jisc member organisations (UK further education colleges, specialist colleges or higher education institutions).
Session preparation and setup
Before the community drop-in, please read below to ensure successful access.
- The drop-in will be run in Zoom, with live automated captioning and transcription. For the best experience, download the Zoom client for your device
- Meeting ID: 963 681 4040 / Passcode: 232468
- You'll also need a headset, or headphones and a microphone
- Please sign in using your full name
- Participants’ microphones will be muted on entry. If you would like to speak, please use the raise hand tool or the chat pane to indicate this
- We'll be taking questions during the drop-in, which you can submit in the chat pane
- If you will be using BSL interpreters through Access to Work and require permission to 'pin' interpreters, please let us know
Before the community drop-in, please read below to ensure successful access.
- The drop-in will be run in Zoom, with live automated captioning and transcription. For the best experience, download the Zoom client for your device
- Meeting ID: 963 681 4040 / Passcode: 232468
- You'll also need a headset, or headphones and a microphone
- Please sign in using your full name
- Participants’ microphones will be muted on entry. If you would like to speak, please use the raise hand tool or the chat pane to indicate this
- We'll be taking questions during the drop-in, which you can submit in the chat pane
- If you will be using BSL interpreters through Access to Work and require permission to 'pin' interpreters, please let us know
Contact
For more information, email training@jisc.ac.uk or phone 01235 822242.
Professional training
Looking for something more in-depth, with a smaller group of professionals, or just for your organisation?
Jisc provides a range of short courses to build your confidence in implementing accessibility and assistive technology. Courses are delivered online throughout the year, or if choosing in-house delivery, at a time to suit you and your colleagues. Participants can also earn digital accreditation to evidence their development. Learn more about Jisc’s accessibility and assistive technology short courses.
Drop-in recordings
October 2025 - Braille Matters
Our October Accessibility drop-in focussed on Braille. Created 200 years ago, braille allows people who are blind or partially sighted to have access to the written word. Braille provides essential access to literacy, and in turn promotes independence and self-esteem. However, given its specialist nature, practitioners in further and higher education can sometimes feel they lack confidence in acquiring, producing, or making decisions about when to use braille.
Colleagues from across the UK met to learn, explore and share in a friendly, conversational session which was suitable for absolute beginners in the world of braille. In addition to the collective expertise and reflections of the community, we heard from experienced speakers on the importance of braille, different device options and opportunities for upskilling teachers and practitioners.