At Rix Inclusive Research, we believe everyone deserves the right to access the assistive technology they need to learn, work, and socialise.
That’s why we’re proud to announce our recent membership of the British Assistive Technology Association(BATA).
Many members of the RIX team personally use assistive technology. This firsthand experience of how powerful technology can be in helping us to achieve our goals and deliver projects is central to everything we do. We even see our own software, like the RIX Wiki, as an assistive tool, empowering people to live life to the fullest and reach their potential.
Ajay, off camera, is typing Wiki Master with his eyes
Beyond joining BATA, we’re continuously working to raise the profile of, and campaign for, more equitable access to Assistive Technology (ATech) for everyone who can benefit. We drive this forward through innovation, leading events such as our inclusive hackathons, and through our active partnership with Policy Connect and the ATech Policy Lab. We champion the value of inclusive technology, sharing our research and successes with Policy Lab Director Robert McLaren and an all-party parliamentary group.
For a compelling look at the impact of ATech, especially in education, check out this video from a recent BATA research project. It offers a great introduction for anyone wanting to learn more.
From 15 to 28 June 2025, we proudly hosted our first ever study abroad summer school for university students with disabilities and differences. In partnership with the University of Florida and Learn International, this pioneering programme, Technological Applications for Disability Access, brought together ten students and seven faculty members and supporters for an unforgettable two weeks of learning, innovation, and community building in the heart of London.
Students, supporters and staff from the Learn International Summer School
Over the course of the programme, participants engaged in a rich, person centred curriculum designed to explore accessibility through multiple lenses—urban design, digital media, sport, transportation, education, and the arts. The initiative combined immersive site visits, collaborative group work, academic lectures, and a dynamic 10-day hackathon to empower students as innovators and agents of change in their own communities. For the last three days we also welcomed representatives from nine American universities who wanted to see the programme before sending their students next year.
Each day was structured to build knowledge, skills, and inclusive design thinking. Students were introduced to the principles of Universal Design, assistive technologies, and multimedia advocacy. They learned how inclusive research and co-production methodologies could be applied to address real-world barriers experienced by disabled people.
Students participated in a range of activities throughout the programme
Among the standout highlights was a visit to the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre at King’s Cross, where students interacted with state-of-the-art inclusive technologies. The group also enjoyed immersive learning experiences at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Charlton Park Academy, and Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium. Each of these visits provided insight into how accessibility can—and should—be embedded into every facet of life, from education to culture and sport.
Throughout the two weeks, students were inspired by a diverse array of speakers, including contributors from the BBC, Transport for London, and UCL’s PEARL research lab. Sessions explored everything from digital self-advocacy and the future of accessible transport to the role of inclusive technologies in modern media.
Transport for London’s session on co-production and their ongoing work on the RoboRamp project offered a powerful case study in inclusive urban design. Meanwhile, presentations from academic leads at UEL—including myself and my colleagues Dr Nic Hollinworth, Dr Kate Allen, and Dr Paul Watts—covered themes like accessible education, health, sport, and cultural inclusion.
At the heart of the programme was Hackathon25, and a follow on 10-day collaborative project where students worked in groups to identify real-life accessibility issues and co-design innovative solutions. Supported by inclusive researchers, faculty, and community partners, students applied everything they had learned to develop meaningful prototypes.
The three final group projects reflected the passion and creativity of the participants
Right of Way Initiative – focused on improving the accessibility of pedestrian crossings, promoting independence and safety for all
Clean Commute – designed a public sanitation station system for wheelchair users and other commuters needing access to hygienic facilities during travel
Accessible Learning with Personalised Books – a solution aimed at making reading materials more inclusive, particularly for learners with cognitive or sensory differences
These final projects were presented during a celebratory graduation event on Friday 27 June where each group showcased their prototype, poster, and learning journey. The event was attended by Robert McLaren, Director of Policy at Policy Connect, academic staff, industry guests, and representatives from the visiting universities, creating an atmosphere of pride, excitement, and future potential.
Students enjoy a West End Theatre trip
Beyond the classroom, students enjoyed the full spectrum of London’s cultural offerings. Theatre trips, the London Bus Tour, and excursions to iconic locations like the O2 via cable car added a sense of adventure. A wheelchair basketball session, run by the UEL Phoenix team, offered not just physical activity but a vital reminder of the importance of inclusive recreation.
Wheelchair basketball session run by UEL Phoenix
Living together in student halls and sharing meals, challenges, and wins, students formed strong social bonds that made the entire experience not just educational, but truly transformative.
This was the first study abroad summer programme of its kind focused on disability and inclusive innovation in London. It was a pilot year full of discovery—for the students, for UEL, and for our partners. We learned valuable lessons about making campus spaces more inclusive, about how travel and accommodation must adapt, and about how the voices of students with disabilities can shape research and design when given the right platform.
Looking ahead, the Rix Inclusive Research Institute is committed to building on the insights from this programme. We aim to embed inclusive international experiences into our curriculum, grow our partnerships across the globe, and ensure that London becomes a leading destination for inclusive innovation in higher education.
Together, we’ve taken the first step in creating a global, inclusive campus. The journey has just begun.
Our second inclusive hackathon, RIX Hackathon25, took place this week at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability on UEL’s Docklands campus. The event was a great success and we’re already planning how we can make it even better next year.
After welcoming people and sharing some of our ideas around hackathons and inclusion, we enjoyed a presentation by Sean Gilroy from the BBC Inclusive Design Team, AI for All Minds: Designing UX for Neurodiversity. It was reassuring to hear how focused the BBC are on finding design solutions that ensure that this vital public service broadcaster works for everyone regardless of difference or disability. People had lots of questions for Sean and this showed how much we all value our beloved BBC.
We then revisited last year’s hackathon winner, the Robot Ramp, with a development update from Nic Hollinworth alongside Kiran and Baljit, two RIX co-researchers who use wheelchairs and were involved in the prototype design. Nic reassured the room by telling us that although progress may seem slow, the first Dyson vacuum cleaner went through thousands of prototypes before reaching the shops!
It was now time to look at our list of challenges and encourage people in the room to add their own via a QR code on the screen. The theme for this year’s event was Healthy Living and a lot of the challenges touched on the difficulties people have with eating and sleeping well and having a healthy lifestyle. These days we are surrounded by unhealthy ultra-processed food options in the shops, online, and in food advertising and it is not always easy to know what we should be eating. We split into eight small groups and started identifying the challenges we would work on in the afternoon.
Saul tells us about Team Timekeepers Lord of the Health app and Samantha works on Team Munchies cookABLE appTwo more Hackathon25 teams discussing designs
After lunch we were treated to a three-way presentation by Simon Bedeau, Shelby Nurthen and Ruth Cooper from East London NHS Foundation Trust, Making Work Work. They talked about employment and training for people with learning disabilities and how we need to work together to improve access to employment. Again, people had lots of questions and it was clear that this is a challenge that chimes with people, many of whom will have had their own difficulties in finding and keeping a job.
The rest of the afternoon was taken up with the two hackathon sprints, workshop-like sessions at tables full of art and craft resources that teams could use to make prototypes and build their solutions. Each table had a mix of people with lived experience of difference and disability, Learn International students, UEL interns, RIX staff and others.
Towards the end of the afternoon, we came back together and each team presented their solution to the challenges they had identified. Solutions included the iFit app from the Junk Out Gym In team, a Progress in Motion website from the Progress in Motion team providing accessible and customisable exercise programs, and an easy read cookbook from the Green Plate team. After all the teams had shared their ideas, we had the chance to vote for a winner and, on the promise of a celebratory rap, first place went to Team Munchies for their cookABLE app, an audiovisual and customisable recipe resource incorporating AI that would make cooking more accessible. True to their word and to everyone’s delight, two members of the team performed a celebratory rap!
Style designs for the cookABLE appTeam Munchies celebrate with an impromptu rap
A big thank you to everyone who participated in Hackathon25 and to our guest presenters from the BBC Inclusive Design Team and East London NHS Foundation Trust.
We were so grateful to Makedo, who kindly sponsored a huge set of accessible tools to help us create prototypes at the event. You can find out more about Makedo and their creative building tools by visiting the Makedo website.
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