TCD/CFIT Digital Inclusion Workshop

Digital inclusion in higher education is an increasing area of research activity for HERC. With a view to exploring new areas for investigation and collaboration Professor Maria Slowey was recently invited to participate in a workshop on the theme of "Digital Inclusion: Enabling Access To Third Level For Students Who Have A Visual Impairment" in the School of Education, TCD on 31 January 2013.
Dr Esther Murphy ran the workshop in collaboration with Dr Michael Shevlin from the Inclusion in Education and Society Research Group, TCD and Dr Mark Magennis from the Centre of Inclusive Technology at NCBI- Working for People with Sight Loss. This first workshop provided a forum for discussing research and development partnerships to ensure people with a visual impairment can access and participate in an inclusive learning environment in higher education.
The perspectives of students with a visual impairment have driven this initiative and set the tone for the workshop which brought together students, primary, secondary and third level educators, disability service offices, advocacy groups and policy makers. 

Six visually impaired students addressed the workshop, informing educators and policy makers about their experiences and took part in moderated discussions on the various issues and possible ways forward. The workshop produced a number of ideas for action, research and collaborations. While this first workshop was an invited event, the organisers are keen to hear from others interested in this area of research and the wider context of digital inclusion for people with disabilities for future collaborations. For further information please contact esther.murphy at ncbi.ie