An Inspiring Weekend at the University of Bristol: Accessibility, Innovation, and Collaboration

This weekend, John and I had the pleasure of visiting University of Bristol with Freya Shaw from Immersion Sound Studio to take part in an event focused on accessibility and assistive technologies - and what an inspiring day it was!

We had the opportunity to connect with brilliant students, researchers, and industry professionals who are pushing the boundaries of inclusive design. 

A big shoutout to Kyle Keane Lecturer in Assistive Technologies at the University of Bristol, for organising such a thoughtful and impactful event.

We were joined by some amazing companies doing transformative work in accessibility, including Smartbox Assistive Technology, whose communication technology empowers individuals with disabilities to express themselves and engage more fully with the world around them. Seeing firsthand how their innovations are improving lives was truly inspiring.

Events like this remind us how powerful collaboration between industry, academia, and students can be. The passion and creativity in the room showed that accessibility isn’t just a technical challenge - it’s an opportunity to make technology genuinely human.

We’re already looking forward to building on these connections and exploring new ways to give students hands-on experience in creating accessible, inclusive technologies.

👋 A big thank-you again to everyone who attended and contributed - your insights and enthusiasm made the day unforgettable!

Rachel Barton

10th November 2025