FOR EVENTS, TIPS, DISCOUNTS & MORE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Breaking Down Barriers to Creative Learning

At PWA, our mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive and accessible learning environment, where all students can thrive, regardless of background, experience, geography and ability. Accessibility in education is not just about accommodating disabilities; it’s ensuring everyone has the tools and support they need to learn new skills and develop their talent.

Learning needs vary widely, and our commitment to accessibility encompasses support for anyone with chronic illness, neurodivergence, disabilities, anxiety and mental-health challenges.

Alongside our own bursaries, we support applications for funding from organisations financing writers from marginalised communities and those facing socio-economic barriers.

We regularly consult our students and experts and update our courses and platform based on their feedback and advice, striving to set the standard for accessible online teaching. 

If you have specific needs or suggestions for improvements, please share them with us (in confidence). Together, we can build a creative learning environment where everyone feels confident, valued and empowered.

For more information or assistance, please contact us directly.

15,000+

Satisfied students

15 Years

Delivering to universities, publishers, corporates and talent-development agencies

96%

Course completion rate

Learn with us

Our courses and training are carefully designed to:

Break down barriers

Whether geographic, financial or cultural – we’re committed to minimising obstacles to creative education.

Value diversity

We welcome students regardless of educational or socio-economic background, geographic location, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, neurodivergence, religion or culture, and we are committed to making sure everyone feels able to maximise their creative potential.

Address specific needs

We actively encourage students to make the course team aware of personal circumstances or needs (in confidence), so we can tailor specific support.

Offer flexibility

We know that AI-style one-size-fits-all learning isn't for everyone – and actively excludes lots of people. Our courses are designed to work for different learning needs, styles and preferences to maximise engagement and fun.

Our features

  • Our courses are 100% online, and mostly asynchronous, allowing you to work at your own pace and fit learning around your week
  • Compatible with screen readers and read-aloud software for visually impaired students or anyone who prefers auditory learning
  • Mobile-friendly, so you can learn on the go or from settings that suit your comfort
  • Built to internationally recognised standards for compatibility with as wide a range of accessibility tools as possible – including new and emerging technologies
  • Accessibility toolbar with options to:
    • Adjust text size
    • Select dyslexic-friendly fonts
    • Modify colour palettes to suit your needs (such as pastel colours to reduce eye strain)
  • We don’t rely on video-learning or live Zooms
  • Captions and transcripts for videos, for Deaf and hearing-impaired students, and anyone who finds it easier or prefers to read rather than watch
  • Transcripts for all podcasts and audio materials
  • PDF extracts optimised for screen readers
  • British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters available for live Zoom sessions on request
  • Transcripts and captions for live sessions on request.
  • Study and complete assignments at a time to suit you
  • No need to be online or live at a set time – although there are opportunities to do so
  • All live sessions recorded and available for playback
  • Submit assignments as audio or video files, as well as in text form – whichever works best for you
  • Short, introductory videos help you navigate the platform and key features
  • Clear navigation tools and manageable content chunks to reduce cognitive load
  • Content broken up visually, with narrow columns, alternating colours and clear design patterns, where possible
  • Content warnings on readings and extracts, where necessary
  • Ongoing accessibility feedback and focus groups with students and staff who are neurodivergent and/or have chronic illnesses and disabilities 
  • Tutors and moderators with extensive experience supporting students with diverse needs, including neurodivergence, chronic illness and disabilities
  • Proactive signposting to additional resources and support services, including mental-wellness resources
  • Staff trained in mental health first aid
  • Tutors and course team open about their own neurodivergence and chronic illness – for empathy with learners’ needs and constant feedback on the teaching model and content presentation

Course Alumni

Meet our writers

Lee Weatherly

The Tutor Perspective

One of the things I value most about PWA’s courses is their flexibility. The ability to work at your own pace and in your own time is invaluable — not just for me as a neurodivergent tutor, but for anyone balancing other commitments. Courses are easy to navigate, with manageable chunks of content, and I really appreciate PWA’s willingness to find solutions for any individual challenges my students might face.

The atmosphere is something special! The support from PWA, combined with the encouragement and camaraderie among peers, creates an environment where students can truly grow as writers. For anyone seeking a supportive, inclusive space to develop their writing, PWA offers a thoughtful and creative experience.

The Student Perspective

‘I can honestly say that this course has changed my life. It confirmed a purpose, and I am determined to get my novel written and submitted to agents. The course has allowed me to try and fulfil my potential (something which is hard to manage with neurodiversity), and find a way of using my imagination and creativity – and just a whole new level of enjoyment in life.’

‘Everything I write on this course, I write by dictating to a computer. Everything I read is through a separate program reading aloud to me. I comment on my fellow writers’ work by reading my thoughts aloud to my computer.’

‘There are so many writing courses available, but for those of us that don’t have the financial means to do a Masters, it feels hard to find courses that focus on literary excellence.’

‘Being on the course has melted an intransigent, decade-long block. I can write now and I’m finally having fun writing. I didn’t know this was what I needed.’

Got a question?

Speak to one of the team.

Get in touch