AAC exam access in Scotland - We need your help

Posted by Kirstin Barr on the 14th January, 2026

Category Digital Exams AAC

Earlier this year, we asked for experiences to help us better understand how learners who use AAC are accessing SQA exams. While there has been some useful discussion, very few Scottish examples have come forward, which makes it hard to build a clear picture of what exam access currently looks like in practice.

To move this work forward, we really need real Scottish case studies.
Case studies help bring guidance and policy to life. They show what has worked well, where challenges have arisen, and how barriers have been navigated (or not). Without these shared experiences, it’s difficult to improve understanding or support more consistent, inclusive approaches.

Why get involved?

We know that AAC users are not a single group and that exam access looks different depending on the learner, the subject, the communication system used and the assessment. By gathering Scottish case studies, we can:

• Share what has worked well in real exam situations
• Highlight barriers that still exist
• Learn from practical solutions and adaptations
• Use real evidence to inform guidance, training and future discussions

Even experiences that didn’t go smoothly are valuable as they help highlight where processes currently are.

Who are we hoping to hear from?

We'd love to hear from:

• AAC users who have already sat SQA exams
• AAC users who are preparing for, or may sit, SQA exams or assessments in the future
• Parents, carers or family members who have supported an AAC user through the exams process
• Teachers, support staff, therapists or other professionals involved in supporting AAC users with assessment and exams
• Centres who have developed approaches or adaptations to support AAC users during exams

You might be involved in National Qualifications, National Progression Awards, or other SQA assessments. Whatever your experience is, it is valuable.

What would it involve?

At this stage, it would simply be an informal conversation about:

• The learner and their AAC system
• The exams or assessments they have completed
• What worked well, and what was challenging

Any case studies would be anonymised and handled sensitively.

Can you help?

If this is something you have experience of, or a situation you may be facing in the future, your voice is important to us. Even brief input can help highlight patterns, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

If you would be keen to get involved or would like to find out more before deciding, please get in touch with Ceanna by email: ceanna.macgregor@ed.ac.uk

Together, we can build a clearer picture of AAC exam access in Scotland and support more inclusive assessment for all learners.