Events

In May the Agency participated in the seminar entitled 'Towards the Inclusive Future Classroom', organised by the European Schoolnet (EUN) in conjunction with the Agency in the framework of the ICT4IAL project. The event was part of the  Special Educational Needs Network Group's (SENnet) activities, and focused on:

• raising awareness of issues in accessibility to information and learning,
• demonstrate practical applications of accessibility guidelines
• and support self and peer-review in learning organisations.

Jan de Craemer from the Belgian Education Ministry (Flemish Community) reminded participants not to lose sight of who the direct beneficiaries are of concerted efforts in the field. Irmgarda Kasinskaite-Buddeberg, from UNESCO's Communication and Information Directorate, highlighted that access to information and knowledge is first and foremost a human right, an argument supported by the Agency and also highlighted by Bernard Heinser, from the Daisy Consortium, another ICT4IAL project partner.

Lone Ring from the Danish Ministry of Education presented the government's strategy on ICT accessibility and differentiation at national level. David Sabate from TOTHOMweb, Spain provided practical information on how to check website accessibility.

Participants visited European Schoolnet’s Future Classroom Lab where Terry Waller (UK expert) described a range of assistive technology products that are easy to integrate and are designed to provide additional accessibility to pupils with physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments or disabilities.

The presentations and other event materials can be downloaded on the SENnet web page.