Summary: Technology and SEND Reforms

Discussion Summary

On 8 July 2026, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive and Accessible Technology (APPGAT) convened a parliamentary roundtable in the House of Lords to consider how ATech should be embedded within proposed reforms to the SEND system. Chaired by Peter Swallow MP, the session brought together educators, researchers, practitioners, technology providers and people with lived experience. 

Contributors emphasised that effective reform must place children and young people at the centre of decision-making through genuine co-production. The discussion also made the case for ‘inclusion by design’, combining universally available accessibility tools with personalised specialist provision for learners with more complex needs. 

Participants highlighted persistent barriers to equitable access to ATech in education, including regional variation, fragmented funding, limited specialist expertise, inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent support during implementation. The Assistive Technology Lending Libraries pilot, SEND workforce development and the Experts at Hand Fund were discussed as important opportunities to improve provision, provided they are supported by sustainable funding, training and ongoing technical expertise. 

The roundtable also examined the responsible use of AI, recognising its potential to improve accessibility, communication, personalisation and reduce workload while raising concerns about bias, privacy, over-reliance and unequal access. Overall, contributors agreed that ATech must be integrated across wider SEND reforms rather than treated as a standalone intervention. 

Thank you to all our speakers, including Kathryn Stowell, Khamani Edwards, Craig Wilkie, Julaan Govier, Zoe Mather, and all other attendees for contributing to such an insightful discussion. We look forward to continuing this work through the APPGAT.

Please follow the link under ‘related documents’ on this page for a more detailed summary of the discussion.

If interested in contributing to further Accessibility Policy, or ATech Policy Lab work, please contact Robert McLaren (robert.mclaren@policyconnect.org.uk)