In January, Calibre Audio brought together educators, SEND specialists, publishers, clinicians and school leaders from across Buckinghamshire and beyond for a powerful day of learning, reflection and practical action.
Inspiring a Love of Reading: Highlights from Calibre Audio’s SEND Conference
In January, Calibre Audio brought together educators, SEND specialists, publishers, clinicians and school leaders from across Buckinghamshire and beyond for a powerful day of learning, reflection and practical action.
Held at the CIM Business Centre at Moor Hall, Inspiring a Love of Reading in Children and Young People with SEND explored one central question: how can audiobooks and inclusive approaches to reading help ensure no child is left behind?
The conference marked an important moment for Calibre Audio, showcasing our role not just as a provider of accessible audiobooks, but as a convenor of ideas, research and best practice in inclusive reading.
A shared commitment to inclusion
The day opened with a welcome from Anthony Kemp, Calibre’s Chief Executive, setting the tone for a conference grounded in collaboration, curiosity and real-world impact. Delegates from schools, local authorities and education settings gathered with a shared commitment to improving access to reading for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Across the programme, speakers challenged outdated assumptions about what reading “should” look like and offered evidence-based, practical alternatives that recognise the diverse ways children engage with stories, language and learning.
Thought leadership from across SEND, publishing and education
The morning sessions brought together a strong line-up of thought leaders who explored inclusion from multiple perspectives.
Carla Herbertson, Co-Founder and Director of Small Wardour, opened with a compelling keynote on inclusive publishing, reminding delegates that accessibility is not a trend, but a fundamental part of meaningful connection with readers.
Dr Helen Ross followed with insights into neuro-inclusive school design, encouraging schools to move beyond individual adjustments towards environments that are inclusive by design.
A key highlight was the presentation of findings from Calibre Audio’s Assisted Reading with Audiobooks research, delivered by Usha Askoolum from Buckinghamshire Council’s Integrated SEND Team. The session explored how audiobooks can support reading engagement, confidence and comprehension for children with SEND, grounding the day’s discussions in robust evidence and classroom reality.
Late morning sessions continued to challenge myths and broaden understanding, with Dr Max Davie addressing common misconceptions around ADHD, and Dr Sarah Moseley offering practical strategies for teaching reading to all learners, including those with complex needs.
Practical learning and collaboration
The afternoon shifted focus towards application and action. Delegates heard updates on the national Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project, highlighting how national initiatives and local practice can align to create lasting change.
Interactive workshops allowed delegates to explore inclusion in more depth, from building empathy through reading and listening, to supporting executive function, and understanding accessible formats through hands-on demonstrations with Calibre Audio and Share the Vision.
These sessions created space for honest discussion, shared challenges and practical problem-solving, reinforcing the importance of peer learning across schools and sectors.
From conversation to action
The conference closed with a powerful panel discussion titled Stop Talking, Start Doing! Speakers challenged delegates to reflect on what inclusion really means in their own settings and, crucially, what actions they would commit to taking as a result of the day.
Rather than ending with abstract ideas, delegates were encouraged to leave with clear intentions and renewed confidence to advocate for inclusive reading approaches within their schools and organisations.
Looking ahead
The success of the conference demonstrated a clear appetite for thoughtful, evidence-led conversations about SEND and reading, and highlighted the important role audiobooks can play in supporting access to literacy.
For Calibre, the day reaffirmed our commitment to working alongside educators, researchers and partners to champion inclusive reading and ensure every child can experience the joy, confidence and connection that stories bring.
We are grateful to all our speakers, partners and delegates who made the day such a success, and we look forward to continuing the conversation throughout the year.