Assistive Technology Cafes: Culture change with coffee & cakes
LCETB’s TEL and Active Inclusion Support Services host informal AT Cafes to foster inclusive tech culture, blending hands-on exploration with user insights. These drop-in sessions spotlight intuitive tools, promote UDL awareness, and build relationships to support accessible learning—one coffee and conversation at a time.
Embedding an AT culture in an organisation is about far more than either Technology or Professional Development. It is about relationships and winning hearts and minds. In LCETB College of FET the TEL Support Service collaborated with the Active Inclusion Support Service in the delivery of AT Cafes. These drop-in informal sessions provide all staff with an opportunity to explore AT and share their experiences over a coffee and pastry of choice. The sessions are generally 90 minutes long, but staff can drop in and out as suits. The TEL Support Service show the potential of technology whilst AISS Learning Support Staff share the lived experience of users and how it can positively impact on learning and learning support. The focus in on showcasing simple intuitive use of technology which does not require learning re-design, whilst also raising awareness about UDL and designing learning experiences for all.