To be announced 

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Breaking Barriers: Navigating the Exciting Journey of Transitioning to University Life as a disabled student

This seminar covers how AskJules assist young disabled students through university life. AskJules assist clients to recruit and employ PAs to provide their health, personal care, and student support. The company was established by the family members following the successful story of Chris’s brother attending university. 

Our services help young disabled adults who require 24/7 care and support, to become completely independent, allowing them to take control of their care in order to attend university. Hear directly from our clients as they share their lived experiences and reflect on how this service has provided vital support in helping them navigate university life and progress towards their goals.
AskJules can manage the most complex multi funded budgets, whilst offering our clients total independence!

There will also be an opportunity to discuss how university is within their reach and how we can help our clients to achieve their goals, after all, the world is their oyster!

Learning objectives:

• Understand how AskJules supports young disabled adults to access and successfully participate in university life.
• Explore how Personal Assistants (PAs) can provide the health, personal care and student support required to enable students to live independently.
  
• Gain confidence in recognising that university can be within reach for young disabled adults, regardless of the level of care and support they require.
  

By the end of this session, you will:

• Attendees will be able to consider the practical challenges faced by disabled students when attending university and how these can be overcome.
  
• They will learn how effective planning and support can enable students to pursue university, employment, travel and other personal goals.

Speakers experience: 

The idea for AskJules was born in 2008, when our founder, Julie Pool, was supporting her son Oliver as he prepared to leave home for university. Oliver has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and together they faced the challenge of balancing full-time care with the independence and vibrant student life he deserved.

With Julie’s support, Oliver achieved true independent living. He moved into a lively student village, managed his own team of Personal Assistants, and received 24/7 care while fully enjoying university life. 

Beyond Readiness: supporting toilet skill development 

Traditionally families were advised to wait until their child was ready before starting toilet training. For many children with disabilities or neurodiversity, this has resulted in children not being supported with learning the skills in the mistaken belief that it would get easier as the child gets older.
This seminar will consider the skills that are needed for toileting and provide practical suggestions about how to support children to learn. It will look at how to overcome issues including those caused by disability or sensory challenges and briefly mention bladder and bowel health issues that may impact.

Objectives of this seminar are:

• To increase understanding of the skills required for toilet learning (training)
  
• To look at physical, learning and sensory differences that may impact
  
• To provide practical guide for supporting children to learn the necessary skills
  
• To briefly consider the common bladder and bowel health issues that may impact
  
• To provide information on where to find further resources and support

By the end of this session, you will:

• That delegates will understand when to start to introduce skills for toilet learning
  
• That delegates will understand the impact of physical, learning and sensory differences and have an understanding of how to make adaptations to support children to learn the skills
  
• That delegates will have a basic knowledge of the common bladder and bowel health conditions
  
• That delegates will know where to find resources and support 

Registered General Nurse / Registered Sick Children’s Nurse (RGN/ RSCN) BSc (Hons) with 20 years experience working with children with bladder and bowel health problems and 12 years working at Bladder & Bowel UK.

The Schools White Paper 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reform

This talk will explore the Government’s recent proposals to reform the SEND and schools system, highlighting the key changes and their potential impact on families. It will also examine developments since the publication of the White Paper, including updates on the consultation process.

Learning objectives:

This seminar aims to support families to understand the key changes that are being proposed and how these changes will impact them and the steps they may need to take.

By the end of this session, you will:

• Understand the Government’s key proposals for changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), the SEND system and the SEND Tribunal.
• Understand how the proposed changes could affect the current rights of children, young people and their families.
• Consider how the proposed changes might work in practice, drawing on reflections on the current operation of the SEND Tribunal. 

Speakers experience:

An experienced solicitor specialising in SEND, with additional practice in general public law and community care.

Pressure and Postural Management in Seating – Principles

Effective seating decisions involve more than equipment alone. They require an understanding of the relationship between pressure, posture and function, and how these factors interact for each individual.

This CPD-accredited session introduces the Seating Balance Principle™ as a framework for supporting structured, person-centred clinical reasoning. Drawing on current evidence, practical experience and clinical scenarios, the session will explore complex seating needs, reviewing existing provision and applying these principles in practice.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the relationship between pressure, posture and function in seating.
• Explore the principles of pressure management and tissue integrity.
• Examine how posture influences function and participation.
• Understand how the Seating Balance Principle™ can support a holistic approach to seating decisions.
• Discuss how these principles can be applied in practice through relevant clinical scenarios.

By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:

• Explain key principles of pressure management and tissue integrity in seating.
• Describe how posture can influence function and participation.
• Recognise how pressure, posture and function interact to influence person-centred seating outcomes.
• Apply the Seating Balance Principle™ to support structured, holistic clinical reasoning.

Speakers experience:

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare delivery, Lara Bryant specialises in translating complex clinical needs into practical solutions that improve outcomes for individuals and those who support them.

Their experience spans post-surgical rehabilitation for older adults, complex mobility needs, specialist seating and pressure care. They work closely with clinicians, case managers and families to support appropriate, timely solutions that protect posture, maintain skin integrity and promote safe, sustainable independence.

Having led market development across the UK, Europe and the US, they bring an understanding of the challenges between clinical decision-making and real-world delivery. Their approach focuses on improving outcomes by aligning clinical needs, provision and supply, while reducing delays and inefficiencies.

As a speaker, they combine clinical knowledge with practical, experience-led insights to encourage better, more meaningful care.

Continence care across the lifespan
For Professionals only

This taster session will explore the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting individuals with bladder and bowel continence difficulties. It will consider how continence difficulties can affect everyday activities, the importance of dignified continence care, and how Occupational Therapists can support independence and quality of life.

The session will also explore the impact of caffeine on bladder health, including a taste-testing activity to introduce caffeine-free beverage alternatives.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting people with continence difficulties.
• Explore the impact of caffeine on bladder health and consider caffeine-free beverage alternatives.

By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:

• Explain the difference between continence and incontinence.
• Recognise how continence difficulties can affect everyday activities and participation.
• Describe the role of Occupational Therapy in continence care.
• Understand the importance of promoting dignity in continence care.
• Identify how caffeine can affect bladder health and recognise alternative beverage choices.

Speakers experience:

Lisa is an Occupational Therapist at Adapt & Live, with 19 years of experience as a qualified Occupational Therapist and over 25 years’ experience working with adults in acute and community settings.

She has a specialist interest in moving and handling and functional bladder and bowel continence issues, with a focus on their impact on everyday activities and quality of life. Her approach centres on promoting function, dignity and independence through practical, occupation-centred solutions.

At Adapt & Live, Lisa applies her clinical experience to support individuals through assessment, intervention and education, helping them to participate safely and meaningfully in everyday activities.

Do Disability Differently: Everything You Were Never Taught About Disability & Inclusion 

Drawing on stories, research and lived experience gathered for Do Disability Differently, this interactive seminar challenges delegates to rethink disability and inclusion. Alex explores ableism, assumptions, language, belonging and the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people face in education, employment and everyday life.

The session centres on what children and young people themselves say needs to change. Through stories, practical tools and reflection, delegates will move beyond disability awareness towards meaningful action, asking not simply “Why?”, but “Why not?”, “Why not you?” and “Why not now?”

Learning objectives:

• Explore how attitudes, environments and systems shape experiences of disability and inclusion.
• Examine lived experiences and key learning from *Do Disability Differently*.
• Challenge common assumptions about disability and inclusion.
• Explore practical approaches to improving accessibility and belonging.
• Reflect on their own role in creating change.

By the end of this seminar, delegates will be able to:

• Recognise common forms of ableism, bias and exclusion.
• Identify barriers to inclusion within their own setting.
• Explain the importance of using lived experience to inform inclusive practice.
• Apply practical approaches, such as Ask, Listen, Do, to support inclusion.
• Identify one practical action they can take to improve accessibility and belonging.

Alex Winstanley – Educator, Author, Speaker and Social Entrepreneur

Alex Winstanley is an experienced educator, author, speaker and social entrepreneur with more than 15 years’ experience across education, disability inclusion and community engagement. He is co-founder of Happy Smiles CIC, a disabled people’s organisation delivering lived-experience-led training, advocacy and accessibility support to schools, employers, public services and community organisations.

Alex has designed and delivered training to thousands of people across the public, private and voluntary sectors. His work focuses on disability inclusion, inclusive leadership, accessibility and creating environments where people feel valued and able to belong.

He is also an award-winning children’s author and creator of the Books of Belonging series, which uses storytelling and lived experience to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding of disability and difference. His first book for adults, *Do Disability Differently*, is due to launch on 3 December 2026.

24hr Posture & Activity Management (PAM): Practical Ways to Support Activity Every Day

Postural management has long played an important role in supporting children and young people with additional needs. Increasingly, there is a focus on encouraging children of all abilities to be active throughout the day, supporting their physical development and helping them reach their potential.

This seminar will explore how activity can be meaningfully integrated into 24-hour postural management programmes, moving beyond the traditional static “lying–sitting–standing” model. It will consider the roles of children, carers, teaching staff and therapists in supporting posture, movement and participation throughout the day.

The session will also include a practical demonstration of the Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) and how it can support 24-hour postural management.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the importance of integrating activity into 24-hour postural management programmes.
• Explore approaches that move beyond static positioning to encourage movement and participation.
• Consider how children, carers, teaching staff and therapists can contribute to postural management throughout the day.
• Explore how MATP can support activity within 24-hour postural management.

By the end of this seminar, delegates will be able to:

• Explain the role of activity in supporting 24-hour postural management.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate movement and participation into everyday routines.
• Recognise the contribution of different people involved in supporting a child’s postural management.
• Describe how MATP can be used to encourage activity as part of a 24-hour approach.

Speakers experience:

Kieran – Physiotherapist

Kieran is a Physiotherapist with over 10 years’ experience in paediatric postural care.

Angela – PE, Special Needs and Disability Consultant

Angela is an award-winning freelance PE, Special Needs and Disability Consultant and National Manager for the Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) at Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB). She has 23 years’ experience as a teacher specialising in profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), including 10 years as a specialist PE lead.

Taboo or not Taboo, that is the question – Empowering AAC users with unrestricted vocabulary

Empowering AAC users means giving them the vocabulary, freedom and confidence to express themselves and be heard. But what happens when their access to language is restricted?

For many AAC users, access to vocabulary relating to slang, swearing, sexuality, crime, abuse and other so-called “taboo” topics can be limited by others. These restrictions can affect their ability to express emotions, explore their identities, communicate important experiences and report abuse.

In this co-created session, AAC user Jamie Preece shares experiences from his life, including what it means to have others interpret his words and how taking control of his vocabulary, communication device and digital voice has transformed his communication and thinking. Becky Fry, Clinical AAC Specialist, will join Jamie in person to explore what authentic self-expression means for AAC users.

The session will examine the debate around restricting vocabulary, the potential consequences for communication and safety, and how professionals can make balanced, collaborative decisions that respect AAC users’ rights and individual needs.

As Jamie puts it: “words are more than talking tools—they are thinking tools.”

Learning objectives:

• By the end of this session, delegates will:
• Explore the right of AAC users to express themselves using their chosen vocabulary.
• Identify categories of “taboo” vocabulary beyond swear words.
• Examine the potential impact of vocabulary restrictions on self-expression, identity and safety.
• Reflect on assumptions and biases that can influence vocabulary decisions.
• Explore collaborative approaches to vocabulary selection that support autonomy and communication.

Learning outcomes:

• By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
• Explain how restricting vocabulary in AAC systems can limit self-expression and act as a form of censorship.
• Identify different categories of vocabulary that may be considered taboo.
• Describe the potential consequences of withholding vocabulary, including barriers to reporting abuse, expressing emotions and exploring identity.
• Reflect critically on their own assumptions when making vocabulary decisions on behalf of AAC users.
• Identify balanced, collaborative approaches to vocabulary decision-making that respect AAC users’ communication rights.

Speaker experience:

Jamie Preece – AAC User and Lived Experience Speaker

Jamie will share his lived experience as an AAC user, exploring the impact of vocabulary restrictions and the importance of having ownership over his words, voice and identity.

Becky Fry – Clinical AAC Specialist

Becky is a Clinical AAC Specialist with a BSc in Speech and Language Therapy. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), and is a designated safeguarding lead at Smartbox.

To be announced 

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