A man in a wheelchair and two women sat having a conversation.

This three-part series explores how accessibility can be meaningfully embedded into language assessment and classroom practice. Drawing on research, policy, and the British Council’s global work, each session highlights practical approaches to creating more equitable assessment systems. Together we will examine principles, policies and practices that shape accessibility, and reflect on how these translate into everyday teaching and testing.

Facilitators:

  • Gemma Bellhouse, Test Quality Assurance Manager, British Council
  • Damon Young, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Researcher, British Council

Information on all three webinars is provided below. You can now register for the third session – the link is available in the following section. If you missed our first two webinars in the series, you can now watch them on-demand via the links below.

In this session, Damon and Gemma introduced the core principles of accessibility in assessment and considers how they are framed within national and international policy and legislation. Guest speaker Andrew Skinner (Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Lead, British Council) also provided insights into the European Accessibility Act 2025, setting the scene for how legal frameworks shape practice in Europe and beyond. They highlighted the British Council’s evolving role as a thought leader in EDI and assessment and discussed how organisations can best create and implement their own policies for their context and the needs of their stakeholders.  

Key takeaways 

  • Clarity on the difference between accessibility and accommodations in assessment.
  • Insight into how legal frameworks, including the European Accessibility Act 2025, influence practice.
  • Practical strategies and tools for embedding inclusive test design.
  • An understanding of classroom-based versus test centre approaches to accessibility. 
  • Access to resources and guidance for strengthening accessibility in your own context.

Watch the recording

In this session, Gemma Bellhouse, Damon Young, and guest speaker Nahal Khabbazbashi explore inclusive test design across Aptis and wider British Council assessment work.

Gemma and Damon introduced practical examples of EDI-by-design, including updates to the EDI Test Content Policy, Young Learner guidance, and insights from impact studies on Global English accents in Aptis General and FET. They also highlight what inclusive practices can realistically transfer to classroom-based assessment, with attention to multimodality, cognitive load, sensory access and representation.

Nahal explores tests as cultural artefacts, examining how race, gender, sexual orientation and cultural context appear in texts, images and scenarios, and the key challenges of designing representative content.

The session concludes with a live panel discussion exploring how accessibility and inclusion can be strengthened across diverse teaching and testing contexts.

Watch the recording

Wednesday 18 February 2026, 13.00 UK time.

This session explores the essential distinction between built-in accessibility and test accommodations. As more students with diverse learning needs take language proficiency tests, it is vital that assessment design removes unfair barriers. We will move beyond "check-box" compliance to look at the "stories" behind the data—examining British Council policies, identifying which tools actually work, and discussing how the lived experiences of learners can shape a more inclusive future for assessment. We will cover topics such as:

  • The distinctions between accommodations, adjustments and modifications, and where bias can enter the decision-making process.
  • Research-based insights into how arrangements like read-aloud and spell-check benefit test-takers.
  • Strategies for identifying "effective" accommodations that ensure sensory and cognitive access without compromising the test’s purpose.

Key takeaways:

  • Understand how neurodiversity impacts performance in language assessments.
  • Learn to move away from "one-size-fits-all" models toward flexible, individualised access.
  • Identify risks such as cognitive load and technical barriers in both classroom and high-stakes settings.

Register now.

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