Assistive Tech Lending Library Pilot Project FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the UK Assistive Technology Lending Library Pilot

Recently, Dolphin hosted the webinar: Assistive Technology Lending Libraries: Empowering Vision Impaired Learners. During the session, our expert speakers Mary Long from CENMAC, student Iona Wilkinson and Simon Kitchen from Dolphin, discussed the benefits of assistive technology. In particular, they emphasised how finding the right assistive technology for each individual young person can boost confidence and have a marked impact on their abilities to learn independently. 

Viewers were encouraged to submit questions throughout the webinar event, and as there were so many interesting queries, we have collated them and answered them in more detail, so you can refer to the information and learn more about the Lending Libraries Pilot Project which has been launched by the UK Government's Department for Education (DfE) to help inform the future of SEND education and provision in the future. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Assistive Technology Lending Libraries Project

Overview of the Pilot Project

What is the Lending Libraries of Assistive Technology Pilot?

The pilot is a government-backed initiative to provide schools with assistive technology (AT) for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), with CENMAC as the delivery partner, the pilot project enables participating schools to borrow and trial AT devices in school, with their students, before making a purchase.

The pilot aims to improve access, independence, confidence, and inclusion for pupils in the participating schools. It will help gather data on how beneficial assistive tech is, and how it impacts students and teaching. This is likely to inform whether lending libraries will be rolled out in future to more education settings. 

How many schools and local authorities are involved in the pilot project?

The pilot will support up to 4,000 schools across 32 Local Authorities (LA). Participating LAs were confirmed in the summer of 2025 and the roll-out of the pilot began in autumn term 2025. 30 LAs have been confirmed as taking part. At time of writing, no further plans have been made to widen this out, and applications are no longer being considered. 

Teacher training is a big part of the plan for introducing assistive technology in schools however, and Dolphin has free CPD-accredited training courses specifically for teachers. If this is something you would like to take advantage of, please visit the Dolphin Learning Zone. 

How is the pilot project funded?

The UK government has allocated up to £1.7 million for the initiative.

Who Will Benefit from the Assistive Tech Lending Libraries?

Who is eligible to use the Assistive Tech resources?

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, sensory or communication difficulties, can all benefit.

What types of support does the pilot provide?

Schools will have access to:

• Reading pens that scan text and read words aloud
• Dictation tools that convert speech into text
• Tablets and AAC devices that support communication using images or symbols
• Screen magnification and screen reading software and kits
• Other assistive technologies that encourage independent learning and increase confidence

Implementation and Training

How will schools use the equipment?

The schools taking part in the pilot project can adopt a “try before you buy” approach to assistive technology. The LA will select, purchase and hold the assistive tech in their library using the funding allocated to them. The schools in that LA can select the technology and devices which best meet each of their pupils’ needs, and try it out in classes, to make sure it's a good fit before investing in their own technology.

Will staff receive training?
Yes. Staff training is a key part of the pilot. Evidence shows that training, combined with AT, increases confidence among pupils and staff and maximises the impact of the devices.

If you are trying out Dolphin SuperNova Education Kit, EasyReader Education or another Dolphin product, teachers and support staff can access and take a free CPD-accredited training course. If this is something you would like to take advantage of, please visit the Dolphin Learning Zone. 

How does this connect to SEND reform?

The pilot links to the UK Government’s Change Programme, which tests SEND and Alternative Provision reforms. With a focus on early intervention, mainstream school support and improving access to high-quality provision.

Impact and Evidence around Assistive Technology

What evidence is there that AT works?

Research and case studies from CENMAC, British Assistive Technology Association (BATA), and schools show:

• 86% of staff noticed improvements in pupil behaviour
• 89% of staff observed increased confidence in pupils
• Students with dyslexia, ADHD or communication difficulties reported better engagement and independence

Can you give examples of impact?

• Iona, as a young student was told she would never get a GCSE at school. Iona not only passed her GCSEs, she then went on to gain triple distinction in college using Dolphin SuperNova Education Kit (formerly SuperNova Connect & Learn).
• Archie is a pupil with dyslexia. He now completes homework independently using talk-to-text on a Chromebook.
• Phoebe is a Year 10 student with chronic pain, uses an AV1 robot to participate in school remotely.
• Student Y, with Down Syndrome, develops his communication skills using tailored Assistive Tech.
• Many pupils using SuperNova, EasyReader, Dragon, Clicker, CoWriter, and eye-gaze devices report improved writing, literacy, and confidence.

Policy Context

How does the pilot relate to national SEND reforms?

The pilot is part of wider SEND reforms under the Change Programme, which aim to:

• Build capacity in mainstream schools for Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)
• Improve consistency in SEND support and funding
• Strengthen accountability and multi-agency collaboration

What broader government initiatives support the pilot?

• PINS and ELSEC programmes to upskill teachers
• Digital infrastructure upgrades (£25m for wireless networks and £20m for fibre delivery)
• Integration with assistive technology training and advocacy, including initiatives like #TeachersForAT

Getting Involved

How can schools participate?

Participation is initially limited to schools in selected local authorities (LA). Schools should contact their LA or CENMAC for details.

How can teachers or education staff learn more?

Resources and training are available through:

• CENMAC (advisory teachers, case studies, tech support)
• British Assistive Technology Association (BATA)
  The "#TeachersForAT" initiative offers online resources, a documentary series and professional development for AT in education.
• NASEN guidance and support for SEND and Assistive Tech in mainstream settings.
• Contact Dolphin Computer Access - specialists in assistive technology for vision impaired young people - can provide information, demonstrations and training for SuperNova Education Kit and EasyReader Education, which is a reading app that enables students to read and succeed and is suitable for students with vision impairments, dyslexia and other print disabilities. 

Key Takeaways

• The Lending Libraries of Assistive Technology pilot project promotes the use of assistive technology to assist in SEND education.  It helps make learning more inclusive, and aims to increase independence, confidence, and engagement for SEND pupils. 
• Support through assistive technology reduces staffing costs and encourages students to learn independently, in ways that suit their needs. It can reduce low level disruption and make the curriculum accessible.
• The pilot project should reduce any waste of school budgets on tech that does not work for individual students.  Schools can find the right tech that works for individuals.
• Schools can trial assistive technology in classroom environments, with individual students safely, before committing to purchase.
• Staff training is a vital component to ensure maximum impact, use the Dolphin Learning Zone if you're introducing Dolphin SuperNova Education Kit or the EasyReader Education in your setting.
• The assistive technology lending libraries pilot is part of a wider national strategy to reform SEND provision, integrating education, health and care support.

Thank you for joining the webinar.  Mary Long from CENMAC has created a refined version of her presentation to allow people to get the information they require on assistive technology and the lending library pilot.

Book a Meeting

If you are interested in finding more about Dolphin assistive technology, you are welcome to book a call with Simon Kitchen to arrange a meeting or a demonstration of SuperNova Education Kit or EasyReader Education.