A local company, Right2speak CIC, have been working with Saxon Hill Academy for the last 3 years. They have been working hard to attract funding to support non-verbal children who require assistive technology to provide a voice. This will help with communication with family, friends and teachers. After many applications they received grants for equipment: one from Support Staffordshire and another from The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation. They recognized this as a pivotal moment, allowing them to begin making the impact they were destined for. Their first priority Saxon Hill Academy.
Many children need assistance to overcome physical and communication challenges, but this support often requires additional funding, which isn't always available. Teachers, parents, and friends offer as much help as they can, but they can't always provide the necessary equipment. Completing an MSc in Educational Assistive Technology at The University of Dundee, by one of our school staff and member of Right2speak CIC helped identify obstacles and potential solutions. The degree opened their eyes to the importance of levelling the playing field for all children to achieve academic success. Some children need simple adaptations like height-adjustable tables or environmental changes such as different lighting or window blinds to reduce glare, while others require more specialized equipment like voice output switches, paper-based symbol communication, and high-contrast keyboards. Some children need increasingly complex technological solutions, including voice output communication aids using specialized software.
In 2025, Right2speak CIC decided to focus on voice output communication aids (VOCAs). The software and devices vary in price, and they chose to use Grid for iPad on iPads due to its flexibility and high level of personalization, allowing them to offer communication for users needing just a few symbols up to hundreds. The grants enabled them to purchase 10 iPads and 10 licenses. By collaborating with our school we identified the first young recipient who would benefit from one of the devices.
They visited our school and met our student, a 5-year-old, and assessed her ability to physically access the device and navigate the software. Her delight whilst trying the software was a joy to witness, with visible anticipation, excitement, and eagerness to begin. We needed to wait two weeks for the creation of personalized grids before handing the device to her. Her smiles were incredible, and her grip on the device was impressive! Within five minutes, she navigated away from the communication software and attempted to access the stocks and shares app—this girl has great potential!
Right2speak CIC will continue to support our student, her teachers, and family to ensure the device meets her needs and that they know how to edit grids as necessary. Her bright smiles greet us every time. The headteacher, Maggie Candlish remarked, "You haven't just given her a voice, you have given her a future."
Right2speak CIC will keep supporting any clients referred to them, knowing there is much work ahead. They believe this is their purpose in the world. Right2speak CIC wanted to thank everyone who has supported them in this life-changing work. "Let's continue helping these children have their voices heard—they might change the world one day!"
