Festival of Inclusive Education: Free virtual event

9am AEDT | 22 October 2025

Join us for the fifth annual Festival of Inclusive Education, a free education webinar packed with insights and inspiration. Dive into expert advice, innovative tools, and strategies to improve education for everyone.

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A new chapter begins…

The Festival of Inclusive Education is back, and it's better than ever.

We’re still the team you know and trust, but with a new name: Everway (formerly Texthelp). Our mission is the same: to build a world where everyone can understand and be understood.

Let’s shape the future of education together.

We’ve listened to your feedback, and built this year's festival to be even more practical, inspiring, and action-driven.

This year’s theme, Education for Everyone, reflects our vision of truly neuroinclusive learning. Of learning environments where differences aren't just accepted - they’re recognised, valued, and championed.

Expect sessions focused on:

Strategies and tools for supporting dyslexia

Practical Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches that work

Using AI to support diverse minds

Leadership strategies that drive inclusion

Dan Fitzpatrick

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dan Fitzpatrick

Educational Strategist

AI Educator

Dr. Nici Sweaney

Dr. Nici Sweaney

CEO & Ethical AI Strategist
Ai Her Way

Mark Martin MBE

Mark Martin MBE

Assistant Professor in Computer, Science & Education Practice
Urban Teacher

Vanna Blucher

Vanna Blucher

SENCo and Learning Support Leader
Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

Francis Akinde

Francis Akinde

Former Head Teacher and Local Authority Schools inspector
Inclusion HT

Danielle Myburgh

Danielle Myburgh

Principal's Nominee, Science and Maths Teacher
Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

Dr Shae Marie Wissell

Dr Shae Marie Wissell

Neuroinclusion Consultant & Certified Speech Pathologist
re:think dyslexia

Amjad Ali

Amjad Ali

Teacher, Author, TEDx speaker, Trainer, Senior Leader and SENDCO
Try this Teaching

David Curran

David Curran

Assistive Technology (AT) Lead & Head of Careers
Moon Hall School, Reigate, (Specialist Dyslexic School)

Donna Stockdale

Donna Stockdale

Kaiawhina (Teaching Aide)
Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

Danielle McKernan

Danielle McKernan

Teaching & Learning Specialist

Rachel Coathup

Rachel Coathup

Customer Success Director

Gustavo Ebermann

Gustavo Ebermann

Business Development Director

Bethan Coffey

Bethan Coffey

Business Development Executive

Paddy McGrath

Paddy McGrath

VP, Head of Education

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Live demos  

Experience learning brought to life with Everway tools.

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Watch on-demand 

Can’t attend live? No problem! Catch up on all the content you missed at a time that suits you.

Introducing the Festival Awards 

We’re excited to launch the Everway Festival Awards – a chance to celebrate the heroes of inclusive education. 

We want to recognise the teachers, staff and leaders who go the extra mile to make sure every student has the help they need to succeed.

  • How it works

    • Nominate: Once you’ve signed up for the festival, look out for an email with a nomination form. Here you can nominate an educator, school leader or staff member who is making a real difference in inclusive education. If they’ve worked hard to make learning accessible for all students, we want to hear about it.
    • Celebrate: One Inclusion Champion and three runners-up will be chosen based on their work in inclusive education, with the winners announced live at the Festival of Inclusive Education 2025.
    • Win: Each winner will receive a prize to help them do even more, including:
      Free access to Read&Write for one year, helping students with different needs access learning.
      A signed copy of keynote, Dan Fitzpatrick’s new book, full of practical ideas for educators.
    • Grand prize: Plus, the overall winner of the 2025 Festival Awards will take home 6 Chromebooks for their school, college or university to support digital learning.
  • Together, we are making Education for Everyone a reality.
    *Terms and Conditions apply

Don’t just take our word…

Hear what past attendees had to say.  

Speechmark

This is by far the best training I have attended on inclusive education."

Hamisu

Speechmark

Wow - lots of food for thought. I can't wait to get back to school and discuss with colleagues."

Rachel

Speechmark

Fantastic! Stimulates thinking about how we can enhance inclusive pedagogies through digital tools.” 

Jennifer

Speechmark

It was excellent. Fabulous speakers, great topics that are relevant across all sectors of education.”

Carol

Speechmark

The topics of the session were brilliant and focused on current trends. I learnt a lot, especially in the field of EdTech.” 

Sudha

Speechmark

Very engaging and informative, great speakers too. Each one of them covered their area of expertise perfectly well. I loved every aspect of it."

Nomsa

Explore the agenda

09:00 - 09:30am

A future that belongs to every learner

AI is shifting the balance of power and opportunity, unlocking paths that were historically closed to many. But with that potential comes a pressing challenge: how do we ensure this revolution includes every learner? In this thought-provoking and motivational keynote, Dan Fitzpatrick examines what’s at stake and why inclusive education must lead the way in shaping a future where no student is left behind.

Speakers

Dan Fitzpatrick

Educational Strategist, AI Educator

09:30 - 10:00am

Personalised learning at scale: powered by AI

AI

AI-powered tools are reshaping how we approach teaching and learning. In this session, explore how AI-driven technology enables personalised learning at scale. Learn how AI can support disability inclusion, helping educators to meet diverse learning needs and improve the accessibility of learning material.

Whether you’re looking to maximise teacher efficiency, improve student engagement or create environments where learners of all abilities can thrive, join this session to gain a better understanding of how AI tools can support your goals.

Speakers

Mark Martin

Assistant Professor in Computer, Science & Education Practice, Urban Teacher

10:00 - 10:15am

Break

10:15 - 11:00am

Supporting dyslexia: practical tips and tools

Dyslexia

Enhance your dyslexia support toolkit with effective tools and strategies. In this session, join leading educators and dyslexia specialists as they share tech-powered strategies to improve literacy skills and confidence in struggling readers. Discover easy-to-use edtech tools designed to break down literacy barriers and empower dyslexic students to succeed.

Speakers

Bethan Coffey

Business Development Executive, Everway

Frances Akinde

Former Head Teacher and Local Authority Schools inspector Inclusion HT

Dr Shae Marie Wissell

Neuroinclusion Consultant & Certified Speech Pathologist re:think dyslexia

11:00 - 11:15am

Transforming dyslexia support: Moon Hall’s success story

Dyslexia

Moon Hall School in Reigate, UK is a dyslexia specialist school for students aged 7-16. The school offers a supportive environment where students are encouraged to explore their individual strengths.

Educators work alongside dyslexia specialists to create personalised learning plans that make learning accessible and enjoyable for every student. Since 2022, Moon Hall has integrated Everway’s Read&Write tool into its learning infrastructure. Hear how implementing Read&Write school-wide has helped students at Moon Hall to thrive.

Speakers

David Curran

Assistive Technology (AT) Lead & Head of Careers Moon Hall School, Reigate, (Specialist Dyslexic School)

11:00 - 11:30pm

Live demo stage (Dyslexia)

Demo

Jump into the demo area to see how Everway’s literacy tool supports Dyslexia. Join, watch, ask.

Speakers

Amber Kaiwi

Business Development Manager, Everway

11:15 - 11:45am

Digital tools and UDL

UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching framework based around learner variability. It recognises that there is huge diversity in how humans think and learn, and a need to move beyond a ‘one size fits all’ approach to teaching.

At Hobsonville Point Secondary School, UDL is baked into the school ethos. In this session led by the school’s Learning Support Leader, you’ll explore how Everway tools offer students flexible ways to access learning materials and demonstrate understanding. You’ll gain insights into innovative tools that are helping schools offer personalised learning at scale.

Speakers

Vanna Blucher

Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

11:45 - 12:00pm

Reimagining education with UDL: Hobsonville Point's success story

UDL

Founded in 2014, Hobsonville Point Secondary School (HPSS) is a state co-educational secondary school in the Auckland suburb of Hobsonville. HPSS is guided by the principles of Universal Design HPSS has made Everway tools available school-wide, enabling all students to benefit from the personalised learning opportunities it offers. Hear their success story.

Speakers

Danielle Myburgh

Principal's Nominee, Science and Maths Teacher, Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

Donna Stockdale

Kaiawhina (Teaching Aide), Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

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12:00 - 13:00pm

Lunch break

13:00 - 13:30pm

Inclusion vs Accessibility: Why the Difference Matters

Accessibility ensures learners can access the tools and content they need. Inclusion goes further - making sure every learner can engage, participate, and succeed. In this session, we’ll explore the critical difference between the two, why accessibility alone isn’t enough, and how inclusive technology like Read&Write creates equitable learning environments for all. Walk away with practical strategies to move beyond compliance and towards true inclusion in your classroom.

Speakers

Paddy McGrath

VP, Head of Education, Everway

13:30 - 14:00pm

The role of inclusive leadership

Leadership

Inclusive leadership in the context of SEND isn’t about compliance - it’s a strategic, cultural, and moral imperative. In this session, Amjad Ali invites school leaders to reframe SEND not as a support service, but as a lens through which all leadership decisions should be viewed. He explores how leaders can shift from provision-driven responses to proactive, universal design that benefits all learners. Amjad challenges leaders to interrogate their systems: Where does SEND feature in your data conversations, CPD agendas or school improvement plans? Finally, the talk highlights the importance of modelling adaptive leadership - questioning fixed mindsets around behaviour, progress and ability. True inclusion means SEND learners are not just present, but actively shaping and thriving within the culture. Through practical strategies and provocative questioning, this talk empowers leaders to lead for SEND with courage, clarity and commitment.

Speakers

Amjad Ali

Teacher, Author, TEDx speaker, Trainer, Senior Leader and SENDCO Try this Teaching

13:30 - 14:30pm

Live demo stage (Universal Design for Learning - UDL)

Demo

Jump into the demo area to see how our core toolkit supports UDL. Join, watch, ask.

Speakers

Aaron Overington

Business Development Manager, Everway

14:00 - 14:45pm

AI for all: practical steps for inclusive leadership

Leadership

AI is reshaping education — but without inclusive leadership, it risks leaving the most vulnerable behind. In this practical session, Dr Nici Sweaney shares actionable strategies school leaders can use to adopt AI in ways that reduce admin, support diverse learners, and align with inclusion goals. Learn how to evaluate AI tools, embed ethical practices, and design systems that work for all students. Walk away with resources to begin your inclusive AI journey today.

Speakers

Dr Nici Sweaney

CEO & Ethical AI Strategist, Ai Her Way

14:45 - 15:00pm

Break

15:00 - 15:45pm

70,000 students, one vision: Scaling inclusion with Read&Write

Leadership

How do you deliver inclusion at scale across an entire education system? Glasgow City Council recently equipped over 70,000 learners with Read&Write for iPad, following a pilot and impact study that proved its value in breaking down barriers to learning and building student independence. This session offers decision-makers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Glasgow’s leaders on how they moved from trial to full rollout. Discover the impact evidence that secured investment, the leadership approach that made it possible, and practical lessons you can take back to your own schools, trusts, or systems. Joined by Everway’s Danielle McKernan, this case study shows what’s possible when inclusion is a strategic priority.

Speakers

Christopher Mier

Glasgow City Council

Simon Kelly

Glasgow City Council

Danielle McKernan

Teaching & Learning Specialist, Everway

15:45 - 16:15pm

Closing Q&A

Wrap up a day's learning with this exclusive Q&A panel - available only for live attendees. Featuring some of this year's most inspiring speakers: Mark Martin aka Urban Teacher, Frances Akinde, Inclusion HT; and Amjad Ali, Try this Teaching. Have your burning questions on Dyslexia, UDL, AI, leadership and Everway tools answered by our expert lineup. Bring your questions, reflections and ideas - this session is all about you. Plus, stay tuned as we announce the winners in this year's Festival Awards.

Speakers

Dr Nici Sweaney

CEO & Ethical AI Strategist, Ai Her Way

Vanna Blucher

Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland

Dr Shae Marie Wissell

Neuroinclusion Consultant & Certified Speech Pathologist re:think dyslexia

Rachel Coathup

Customer Success Director, Everway

16:00 - 16:30pm

Last chance: Live demo stage (Dyslexia)

Demo

Jump into the demo area to see how Everway’s literacy tool supports Dyslexia. Join, watch, ask.

Speakers

d

Amber Kaiwi

Business Development Manager, Everway

FAQs

How do I log in to the live event?

Check your inbox for a link to the event. The platform will be open to explore days before the event – ready for you to start building your agenda.  

Who can come to this event?

Everway’s Festival of Inclusive Education is for anyone interested in making education work for everyone. Whether you work in a school, college or university you will find the takeaways shared during the event useful.

Do I need to download or install any information to be able to come to this event?

No. You do not need to download or install any software to take part. All you need is an internet connection and your beverage of choice!

Who do I contact if I have problems on the day?

Email us at asiapac@texthelp.com if you have any issues accessing the platform. There is also technical support available on the platform. You can find this at the top-right hand corner of your screen.

What accessibility features will there be during the event?

We’re working hard to make sure our festival is inclusive to everyone. That’s why we chose StreamGo as our event host. Because they care about accessibility too. However, if you have any accessibility concerns or questions, please reach out to  asiapac@texthelp.com. In addition, you can expect live captions for every session and live support.

Will copies of the speaker slides be shared?

Yes, slides are available in the resources section below each session.

Can I invite my fellow educators to the event?

Yes, festivals are best enjoyed with friends! Plus the more teachers and staff that learn about inclusive education, the better. 

Invite them using this link: https://bit.ly/4fkNczy

I’m busy on the day of the festival, will it be recorded?

Don’t worry, the festival is designed with busy teachers in mind. By signing up, you’ll get access to all the sessions on-demand. They’ll stay available to watch at your own pace for 60 days after the event has aired.