Project

In summer 2012 the ICT for Information Accessibility in Learning (ICT4IAL) project was awarded a grant by the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Transversal Programme

Project Aims

The ICT4IAL project is a multi-disciplinary network of European and international partners that represent both learning and ICT communities. This network was co-funded by the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Transversal Programme, Key Activity 3: Information and Communication Technologies.

The project activities began in January 2013 and ran until December 2015, building on the results of the Accessible Information Provision for Lifelong Learning project to foster accessibility of information in learning. The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (the Agency) acted as project co-ordinator.

The Agency together with European Schoolnet (EUN), the International Association of Universities (IAU), UNESCO, the DAISY Consortium and the Global Initiative of Inclusive ICTs (G3ICT) aimed to:

  1. Raise awareness and increase the visibility of the issue of accessible information provision and its relevance for equitable lifelong learning opportunities;
  2. Support accessible information provision within organisations through the development, trialling and evaluation of guidelines that build upon already existing work in the field.

Improving educational policy and practice for learners with special educational needs as well as improving the accessibility of ICT and information for learning is within the main interest of all ICT4IAL partners. This takes into account issues such as equal opportunities, accessibility and the promotion of quality of education, whilst recognising that there are differences in the countries’ policies, practices and educational contexts. Providing information on and for learning so it is accessible to all users is crucial, as non-compliance creates a barrier for learners with disabilities that compounds their special educational needs. Key information providers within lifelong learning need to act as role models in the field of accessibility and ensure that all information and resources shared are as accessible as possible for users with and without special needs.

To achieve the project aims, the ICT4IAL network worked towards a number of concrete objectives from which the partners and their member countries can benefit.

General information on the ICT4IAL project can also be viewed in the project flyer.