Removing the Barrier Before the Barrier
2026, Finalist, Inclusive Education Award
Ocean 3D tackles a barrier many education providers miss. By helping learners feel safer and more prepared before they arrive, it improves inclusion at a scale already visible in tens of thousands of uses and strong research-backed outcomes.
Ocean 3D is solving a barrier that often gets missed in education. For many disabled and neurodivergent learners, the biggest challenge starts before the first lesson. New schools, colleges and campuses can create anxiety, sensory overload and uncertainty about entrances, routes, quiet spaces and classrooms. That can affect attendance, confidence and participation long before teaching begins. Ocean 3D responds with accessible 360° familiarisation environments that let learners, families and support staff explore education settings remotely before arriving in person. The reach is already substantial. Callywith College’s tours recorded 31,551 visits from 15,841 unique users, while Weston College’s SEND-focused tours generated 21,321 visits and 16,771 unique users. Independent peer-reviewed research involving 359 children found that pupils who used interactive virtual tours showed lower school avoidance, higher school liking and better cooperative participation than those who did not. Teachers also reported that learners arrived more confident and more familiar with the environment. This gives education providers a practical way to make transitions more inclusive and reduce barriers before they become problems.
Vote now for this finalist to win the Tech4Good People’s Award and register to join the online ceremony on Friday 3 July to see if they win!
