Assistive Technology and Inclusion Specialist

In the 2026 educational landscape, technology is the ultimate tool for equity. We believe that when we design for accessibility, we improve the learning experience for everyone. To ensure our high-tech innovations leave no one behind, we are seeking a passionate, tech-savvy Assistive Technology Specialist to champion the success of our SEND learners.

As the Assistive Technology Specialist, you will act as the "Ethical Compass" and "Accessibility Lead" for the Digital Innovation & AI department. Reporting directly to the Digital Learning Manager, you will ensure that the college's digital ecosystem-from AI-driven speech-to-text to immersive sensory environments-is inclusive by default, not by exception.

You are more than a technical expert; you are a coach, an advisor, and a lead advocate for inclusive practice. While others focus on how to teach or how content looks, your focus is entirely on how it is accessed. You will work at the heart of the curriculum to ensure that "Reasonable Adjustments" are transformed from administrative paperwork into active, empowering digital realities.

In 2026, the primary challenge lies in keeping pace with the rapid, weekly evolution of AI-powered assistive tools; constantly researching and vetting new software to ensure it is safe, effective, and compatible. Additionally, you will champion the culture of "Inclusion by Design," navigating the human challenge of convincing time-poor curriculum teams to build accessibility into their resources from the very beginning, rather than as an afterthought.

Key Responsibilities

Specialist Learner Support: Provide direct, hands-on support to SEND learners, equipping them with the personalised digital toolkits they need to access the curriculum with confidence and independence.

Staff Inclusion Training: Design and deliver specialised training for teaching and support staff, empowering them to embed inclusive digital practices into daily lessons.

Accessibility Consultancy: Advise the department and the wider college on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance, ensuring all digital platforms and resources are legally and ethically accessible.

Barrier Removal & Auditing: Proactively audit curriculum materials to identify and eliminate digital "blockers," adapting learning materials to meet the needs of diverse student cohorts.

Reasonable Adjustments: Lead the classroom implementation of digital reasonable adjustments, leveraging technology to level the playing field for assessments and activities.

Policy Contribution: Contribute to the development of inclusive digital policies, ensuring SEND requirements remain at the forefront of the Group's over-arching AI and Digital Strategy.

Intervention & Escalation: Act as a critical link between students and academic teams, escalating complex accessibility or technical framework issues to senior staff for swift resolution.

Key Role Objectives

Learner Independence: Measurably increase the ability of SEND students to work and study independently through the mastery of assistive software and hardware.

Institutional Compliance: Ensure 100% of the Group's primary digital learning resources meet or exceed current WCAG accessibility standards.

Capability Building: Raise the institutional baseline of inclusive teaching, ensuring all faculty members can confidently use standard assistive tools within the VLE., As the Assistive Technology and Inclusion Specialist, you report to the Digital Learning Manager but work in close partnership with the Quality Team and SEND Leads. You are the bridge between the technical infrastructure managed by IT and the individual educational needs of our most vulnerable learners.

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient, and highly organised professional who believes that accessibility is a fundamental right.

SEND & Assistive Tech Expertise: Proven experience working with SEND learners and a deep technical understanding of assistive software, hardware, and emerging AI accessibility tools.

Accessibility Standards: Strong working knowledge of WCAG compliance and digital inclusion best practices.

Educational Background: Experience working within an FE/HE, training provider, or alternative provision environment.

Collaborative Communicator: Ability to build strong partnerships with the Quality Team, IT technicians, and SEND Leads to bridge the gap between infrastructure and individual learner needs.

Cultural Influencer: Excellent coaching and advocacy skills, with the resilience needed to drive cultural and pedagogical change across diverse staff teams.

You will hold a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths (or be willing to undertake) and a degree level (or equivalent) qualification in special education, digital accessibility or IT as well as a specialist certification in assistive technologies or digital accessibility would be desirable.

Your role ensures that the "Digital & AI Strategy" is truly universal, making you the person the department relies on to ensure our innovations are inclusive by default, not by exception.

Our excellent benefits and rewards package:

Access to local government pension scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6%)

Up to 44 days annual leave per year including closure during Christmas period

Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons

Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in-house Occupational Health service

Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.

Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles

Free Parking available at all of our sites

Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications

New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the teacher retention initiative

Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made

What is the RNN Group?

RNN Group's main goal is to be an 'outstanding' education and training provider and this is at the heart of everything that we do. To help us achieve this we are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and dynamic individuals to join our existing teams. To be a part of the team at RNN Group we will expect you to be committed to our values too;

We are Inclusive,

We have Integrity,

We Deliver,

We are One Team.

We are OFSTED 'Good' (November 2022)

We celebrate diversity and are proud to be recognised as Investors in Diversity for our commitment to the FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) model, fostering a supportive environment for all. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background, proudly participating in the Disability Confident Scheme, and provide reasonable adjustments.

The RNN Group is proud to be part of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT).

As a newly designated Defence Technical Excellence College, RNN Group is proud to support the UK's defence sector by developing the next generation of highly skilled technical talent.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and young people. All new employees will be required undertake a DBS check and other associated checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.

All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.