Assistive Technology In Action
Real stories, positive impact.
VisionAid: How Dot Pad X has transformed access to multiline braille
Jackie Brown is a blind professional based in Northern Ireland, where she lives with her husband. Braille has been central to Jackie’s life from an early age, and it continues to underpin both her work and personal interests.
Jackie knows that some frustration will always exist with technology, particularly when websites and apps have not been designed with accessibility in mind. Even with strong screen reader skills and years of experience using accessible technology, there are still limitations in existing solutions. Single-line braille displays remain hugely important, but they do not always provide the same natural and immersive reading experience as having multiple lines of braille available at once - particularly when reading books, working through structured text, or exploring graphics. For someone like Jackie, whose work and personal life are so closely connected to braille literacy, digital inclusion, and access to information, the prospect of a compact multiline braille device felt genuinely significant.
Jackie’s response to the Dot Pad X was immediate. Having used braille all her life, the opportunity to have multiline braille at her fingertips - not only for reading books, but also for interrogating images and graphics - felt completely liberating. Rather than simply offering another way to read line by line, Dot Pad X introduced a richer and more natural reading experience. It brought something closer to the feel of reading from a page, while still being portable enough for everyday use.
Read the full blog about Jackie's experience with Dot Pad X on the BATA website.
Crick Software: ‘Portsmouth – The Digital City’ project.
We have been working with Gemma Gwilliam, the Head of Innovation for the ‘Portsmouth – The Digital City’ project, which explored how technology could better support children’s learning across the city. The project has been hugely impactful and has evolved into a nationally and internationally recognised model for transforming education through technology. Gemma and her team are now being supported by the DfE to work with 19 other Local Authorities to try and replicate their success.
We have a webpage all about how we have supported the project with success story videos from some of the schools involved - “Portsmouth: The Digital City” Project - Crick Software UK
“Their software has transformed how children across Portsmouth experience writing. By using this technology thoughtfully, we are now enhancing learning, supporting inclusion, reducing workload, and helping every member of our community achieve their full potential.” – Gemma Gwilliam
There’s more about the Portsmouth Digital City Project here - Portsmouth: The Digital City Project - Portsmouth Education Partnership
CareScribe: Finding focus and confidence in the classroom with Caption.Ed.
Debbie is a student with autism, dyslexia and she's visually impaired. In this case study, she shares the challenges of her study environment at the University of Roehampton, with in-person lectures she needs to attend.
Now with Caption.Ed, she can capture every word through live captions and accurate transcripts, and no longer has to choose between listening and note-taking.
“Caption.Ed is such a time saver and an invaluable tool. I would one hundred percent suggest it to other students—and already have!”
Read the full case study or watch the video on CareScribe's website
Smartbox: Vega’s Story: Growing communication with Grid.
To recognise Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, Smartbox caught up with Alba, the mother of five-year-old Vega, to share their family’s AAC journey. Vega is a happy, curious and determined young girl who loves books, swimming and spending time with her family. She communicates using AAC and is about to begin her HomeEd journey.
Alba shared how their family uses both Grid Pad and Grid for iPad to support Vega’s communication at home and out and about, helping her express her choices, interests and growing independence.
Vega experienced a brain injury during birth and now lives with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Her family knew early on that AAC would likely play an important role in her communication. Around the age of two, Vega began working with speech and language therapist Laura Keeling, who encouraged the family to explore an AAC system using eye gaze.
Visit BATA's LinkedIn Newsletter to read Vega's full story.
