Affiliations & Contact | Ask The SENCo

Affiliations, Contributions & Contact

Educational Leadership • Inclusion • Neurodiversity • Strategy

Director of Education, Policy & Strategy

Empowering Tech is one of the UK's leading organisations in Assistive Technology for education. I lead work on shaping national conversations around AT, inclusion and sustainable practice.

✦ Key Contributions

Assistive Technology Miniguide (Nasen x Empowering Tech)
A practical guide supporting schools to embed AT through the Toolbox Approach.
Toolbox Approach A simple, scalable framework for implementing AT across classrooms and MATs.
ITT and PGCE visiting lecturer on Assistive Technology and inclusive classroom practice.

Empowering Tech

Head of Education — Author of Implementation Resources

I develop guidance and training materials that help schools embed reading pens effectively across whole‑school literacy and SEN strategies.

✦ Focus Areas

Dyslexia‑friendly reading support
Whole‑class and whole‑school implementation
Practical resources for teachers and SENCos
Local Authority level implementation and support programs
Supporting schools to embed reading pens in whole‑school literacy and SEND practice.

Scanning Pens

Department for Education

Inclusion Expert Advisor (SEND & Language & Communication)

Inclusion review consultant for the Standards and Testing Agency. National Curriculum Tests.
Ensuring that assessments are inclusive and accessible for all.

Wizcom Tech

Product Development

Practitioner‑led design and testing of emerging Assistive Technology tools, ensuring usability and accessibility for learners and teachers.

Legacy Affiliations

Literacy Junction - SEND Station

Product Developer

Leading the development of Literacy Junction Phonics Package into a full online online training programme. My work focuses on crating a comprehensive, multi-sensory reading and writing pathway for learners who have not yet reached Year 3 age-related expectations, regardless of age.

I ensure that case studies, research evidence, usability, and accessibility are aligned so that a good product becomes an exceptional one - practical for teachers, empowering for learners, and grounded in inclusive design.

This work aligns with my wider focus on Assistive Technology and inclusive literacy design across mainstream and specialist settings.

Legacy Archive

Linktr.ee

Policy and Strategy Legacy Contributions

These projects reflect my long-standing work shaping national conversations around dyslexia,

Assistive Technology, and inclusive practice:

Dyslexia Commission — Practitioner contributor to the 2022 national Dyslexia Commission (Curia/BDA), informing policy recommendations that continue to shape school practice.

Dyslexia Learning Festivals — Lead coordinator for international festivals across the UK, Australia and Canada, bringing free dyslexia learning to schools, families and practitioners.

Karten Network Case Study — Contributor to national discussions on disability employment, technology access and inclusive pathways.

LGfL Included Conversation — Featured practitioner voice exploring literacy, Assistive Technology and inclusive classroom design.

Teaching Times Miniguide — Author of guidance on minimising accessibility challenges in mainstream classrooms.

Contact: Assistive Tech - julia@empoweringtech.com - Ask The SENCo - juliasenco@gmail.com

Contact me about lecturing, speaking and advisory SEN and Assistive Technology Support