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AccessibleEU European Event: Accessibility and Higher Education

Join AccessibleEU and the University of Porto to help shape a European roadmap for the future of accessibility in higher education.

Register here

The "Accessibility and Higher Education" awareness-raising event aims to be a melting pot of ideas and innovation, bringing together a vibrant mix of university professors, students, administrative and service staff, researchers, and managers from inclusion service offices. Together, they will delve into discussions about best practices, confront challenges, and explore new frontiers in making European universities more accessible. 

Furthermore, this event aspires to sketch out a European roadmap for the future, advocating for a holistic approach to ensure that accessibility in higher education not only meets current standards but also anticipates the needs and aspirations of the future. This balanced perspective aims to merge practical, on-the-ground experiences with strategic, visionary thinking to create a more inclusive and accessible educational landscape across Europe.

This event will take place on 30 October 2024, from 9:00 to 17:30 (WET). Participants will be able to attend both online and in person.

In-person location: Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação de Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

Agenda

9:00-9:30

Opening Session: The European Commitment to Accessibility: Following Steps and Challenges

  • Jesús Hernández Galán, Director of AccessibleEU
  • Inmaculada Placencia, European Commission - Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
  • Ana Camanho, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Management - University of Porto
  • Pedro Nobre, Director of the Faculty of Psychology - University of Porto
 
9:30-11:00

Panel 1: Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion: Working on Policies, Practices and Culture at the University

Moderator: Silvia Duarte, Fundación ONCE – EUni4ALL

  • Alice Ribeiro, University of Porto
  • Anne O'Connor, Dublin City University
  • Gerald Craddock, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
 
11:00-11:30

Coffee Break

11:30-12:30

Panel 2: Accessibility and Design for All: Revision and Adaptation of Curricula

Moderator: Klaus Miesenberger, Johannes Kepler University Linz

  • Roberta Lulli, ATHENA Project
  • Frederic Fovet, Thompson Rivers University
  • Matteo Zallio, University of Cambridge (TBC)
 
12:30-14:00

Panel 3: Enhancing Accessibility for Students with Disabilities in the European Higher Education

Moderator: Boris Janča, Masaryk University

  • Goran Dakovic, European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA)
  • Helene Peterbauer, European University Association (EUA)
  • Pedro Encarnação, AAATE
 
14:00-14:15

Closing remarks and presentation of upcoming session

  • Vítor Carvalho, University of Porto
 
14:15-15:30

Lunch

15:30-17:30

Panel 4 (onsite only): Inspirational and Practical Session Sharing Initiatives of Accessibility and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities at the University

Moderator: Alice Ribeiro; University of Porto

  • Bruno Giesteira, University of Porto
  • Klaus Miesenberger, Johannes Kepler University Linz
  • Boris Janča, Masaryk University
  • Pedro Encarnação, AAATE