Two students from Tapton School in Sheffield, UK, have achieved exceptional results in one of the world’s most inclusive computing competitions — the 2025 Bebras Challenge — thanks to the support of accessible technology.
Using the Mantis Q40, a refreshable braille device with a built-in QWERTY keyboard, both students navigated the demanding competition with confidence and precision. One of them, the youngest in her age category by a full year, earned a flawless score — placing her in the top 4% nationally.
What is the Bebras Challenge?
Running each year across more than 60 countries, the Bebras Computing Challenge introduces students aged 6 to 19 to core principles of computer science. Rather than testing coding skills, it focuses on logic, pattern recognition, and computational thinking — skills at the heart of problem solving in a digital world.
In the UK, the 2025 edition took place from late March to early April, with over 300,000 students participating. The average score was just 12 out of 48. Against this backdrop, Tapton’s standout students scored 48 and 40 — among the highest in the nation.
Tech that makes a difference — without creating an advantage
Throughout the competition, the students used the Mantis Q40 to read and respond to tasks presented on screen. Designed by HumanWare, the device connects to laptops or tablets via Bluetooth or USB and presents content in refreshable braille — giving blind and visually impaired users equal access to digital environments.
Far from giving the students an edge, the Mantis Q40 simply enabled them to fully participate — to think, solve, and compete on equal footing.
Nathaniel Jessop, a teacher with Tapton’s vision support service, highlighted the importance of reliability under pressure:
“It served them reliably throughout the competition and perfectly equipped them to maximise their potential.”
A global reminder: inclusion drives innovation
As the world gears up for summer coding camps, tech festivals, and student showcases, Tapton’s story is a timely reminder: real innovation happens when inclusion is built in from the start.
These students’ achievements show what’s possible when accessibility and opportunity go hand in hand. With the right tools, brilliance isn’t just possible — it’s inevitable.
