WaytoB launches its smart-technology in the UK, supporting students with special educational needs to become more independent.

waytoB
waytoB
Nov 4 · 2 min read

This October, in Edinburgh, children and young adults with special educational needs took a few extra steps — literally — towards being able to navigate their community more independently. Two special needs schools, Pilrig Park and Woodlands, started trialling waytoB with pupils aged between 13 and 18.

Boy smiling and holding his phone up. Screen shows a smiley face and the words ‘you have arrived’
Boy smiling and holding his phone up. Screen shows a smiley face and the words ‘you have arrived’
A pupil from Pilrig School after finishing his first independent journey using the waytoB app.

A series of routes were pre-programmed taking into consideration the safest options for pedestrian crossings and links to local bus routes. The pupils could then choose one of the routes and receive step-by-step, icon-based directions on their smartwatch through their journey.

After a few training sessions with easy walking routes that helped them get used to the app, the students gained the confidence to go on journeys without supervision. In fact, they were doing so well that they were able to take more advanced routes on their own and already started using public transport in small groups.

Oliver Lawson, a travel trainer with the council, is working with the students to assess the impact of the technology on travel training: “We’re seeing a surprising progression from the students, we’re way ahead of schedule. Already we can see their confidence building up and their knowledge of the local area increasing.”

At each stage, a prompt from the watch indicates a turn, road crossing or instruction to get on or off a bus. If the wearer deviates from the planned course, the individual’s family and school get an alert via the mobile app or desktop version.

“Using waytoB has brought a new dimension to travel training. The pupils are hugely motivated by using the new technology. Also, we can safely watch where they’re going through the waytoB dashboard, plan their routes and open up independence for them” said Keith McKay, Principal Teacher at Pilrig Park School.

Karen Byrne, Principal Teacher at Woodlands School, added: “It is a clear, manageable system for young people who have social anxiety or difficulties with comprehension. It makes them feel safe and connected, and gives them independence, which is very exciting and positive!”

The City of Edinburgh Council is interested in the results of this pilot to assess if the technology can have a positive impact on its users’ quality of life, and encourage them to move from specialised transport to public transport. Upon positive results, the council intends to provide the waytoB app not only to young people with special educational needs, but also adults with disabilities and older adults with early-stage dementia across the city.

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