Websites on digitisation & inclusion worldwide sorted by topic
This page provides you with links to internet resources on the subject of "Digitisation, digital education and inclusion from an international perspective". The focus is on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
The links are sorted by subject. If you prefer sorting by resource type, you can also browse through the same sources sorted resource type. The introductory page to this web dossier is superordinate to this page.
Assistive Technologies
Studies, Reports, Reviews
Global report on assistive technology (WHO, UNICEF, 2022)
international
"The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents a comprehensive dataset and analysis of current assistive technology access, drawing the attention of governments and civil society to the need for, and benefit of, assistive technology, including its return on investment. The Global Report sets out ten recommendations for [...]
Assistive technologies for people with disabilities.
In-depth analysis.
Assistive technologies (ATs) are designed to improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. Some are relatively low-tech and very familiar, such as such as reading glasses, crutches and hearing aids. Others are more advanced, using cutting-edge science and technology, with future ATs under development that could have a huge impact on all our lives. The focus [...]
Students with Special Educational Needs and Assistive Technologies: A Literature Review
The term "assistive technologies" refers to the equipment, devices and apparatus, and the services, systems, processes and adaptations made to the environment that support and facilitate their functions, used by persons with special education needs. This study is a literature review of the use of assistive technologies in the education of students with special educational [...]
Current Perspectives on Assistive Learning Technologies.
2012 review of research and challenges within the field.
"This report describes a review of literature on assistive learning technologies, or digital technologies designed to support learners with special needs in education. The intention was for the review to take a broad and interdisciplinary approach to the topic, with the aim of building up a picture of the state of research in the field, as well as highlighting areas where the [...]
Further Relevant Websites
Assistive technology (WHO Health topics)
international
Theme page of the World Health Organisation on assistive technologies with a lot of news and information on projects, events, pubications and more. [Abstract: Editors of Education Worldwide]
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)
international
The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) was founded in 1983. It aims at improving the lives of children and adults with complex communication needs.
ISAAC’s goal is to create worldwide awareness about how AAC can support individuals without speech. ISAAC accomplishes this by [...]
Accessible Technologies
Organisations
Observatoire des ressources numériques adaptées (Orna)
France; Francophone Countries; international
The "Observatory for Adapted Digital Resources" (Orna) was created in November 2007 by the Digital Education Department of the French Ministry of National Education. The "National Institute for Training and Research for the Education of Young People with Disabilities and for Appropriate Teaching" [...]
Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES)
international
GAATES deals with both digital inclusion and accessibility in (analogue) public spaces and built environments. The website provides information on projects and resources created by GAATES, such as various guides for creating inclusive digital tools, websites, etc. In addition, GAATES offers global news on inclusion and [...]
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
international
"The mission of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), (...), is to define, promote, improve, and diversify the accessibility profession globally through certification, education, and networking in order to enable the creation of accessible products, content, services, and environments." The website [...]
Accessibility to ICTs: Achieving equitable communications for everyone - International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
international
Accessibility is one of the Areas of Action of the "Telecommunication Standardization Sector" of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ITU is "a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for all matters related to information and communication technologies". DCAD's aim is to "ensure that ICT accessibility is [...]
Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index (DARE Index)
international
The "Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index" (DARE Index) is published by the The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs ( G3ict). The website linked here provides a lot of resources and background information on the index. Among others, you will find the index and its predecessor published since 2008, country profiles, top [...]
Reports, Statistics, Reviews
Impact of the digitalization of education on the right to education.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.
"In this 2022 report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education addresses the risks and opportunities of the digitalization of education for the right to education. She calls for discussions relating to the introduction of digital technologies in education to be framed around the right of every person to public, free, quality education and the commitments of States [...]
QM Digital Accessibility White Paper Series (2020- )
international
Quality Matters (QM) is an international network of more thn 1500 organisations in more than 25 countries worldwide. It deals with questions of quality control and management of digital educational resources. We link to a White Paper Series first published by QM in 2020 on digital accessibility and inclusion. The series shares [...]
Bridging the Digital Divide in Postsecondary Education: Technology Access for Youth with Disabilities. Information Brief.
This issue brief discusses the barriers to technological access for students with disabilities. Challenges for bridging the digital divide are discussed and the following recommendations are provided: (1) stakeholders should have access to training so they can design and select accessible facilities, utilize computers and software, purchase appropriate assistive technology, [...]
Accessibilité numérique et accessibilité pédagogique.
Revue de littérature.
The following annotated bibliography was produced in the context of the French project Access-man. It presents literature that deals with the accessibility of textbooks for visually impaired persons. [Abstract: Editors of Education Worldwide].
Projects
ERASMUS+ Certified Digital Accessibility Training project
Europe
"The project aims to develop specialized digital accessibility training and accessible e-learning platform to improve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of diverse groups of key stakeholders. The training follows web accessibility standards and enables website developers, designers, managers, and others to respond to the needs of [...]
Digital accessibility project
United Kingdom
The Imperial College London's project is first of all meant to help making the College's own websites more accessible according to a UK regulation as of 2018 on accessibility within public sector bodies. Nonetheless, the tips and guides compiled by the College can also help others in making their websites more accessible and [...]
Teaching Accessibility (Project). How Is digital accessibility taught and learned?
international; United Kingdom
"Digital technologies have transformed daily life. Yet capacity for producing accessible digital tools and services has not kept pace with demand, exacerbating digital exclusion for disabled people and older people.
Guidelines, Laws, Policies
Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (Text with EEA relevance)
The trend towards a digital society provides users with new ways of accessing information and services. The providers of information and services, such as public sector bodies, rely increasingly on the internet in order to produce, collect and provide a wide range of information and services online which are essential to the public. In the context of this Directive, [...]
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 - W3C Recommendation 05 June 2018
international
"Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible. Following these guidelines will make content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities (...) Following these guidelines will also often make Web content more usable to users in [...]
European accessibility act
The European accessibility act is a directive that aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services, by removing barriers created by divergent rules in Member States. The European accessibility act covers products and services that have been identified as being most important for persons with disabilities while being most likely to [...]
International Web Accessibility Laws and Policies
international
The author of the blog compiles information on Web Accessibility laws and policies in more than 20 countries worldwide. For each country you will find information on the respective discrimination law/policy (because of disability) and on laws/policies concerning communication etc. The name of the law is mentioned and the author [...]
Further Interesting Websites
Chaire « Handicap, éducation et numérique » - INSHEA
France; Francophone Countries; international
The research chair "Disability, Education and Digital Technologyl" is a project by the "research group on Disability, Accessibility, Educational and School Practices" (Grhapes). Grhapes, for its part, is the research unit of the French "National Institute for Training and Research for the Education [...]
Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List
international
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provides a list of tools that help evaluate Web accessibility. As there are different definitions of accessibility in different countries, you can filter country specific accessibility guidelines, among others. W3C was created in 1994 as a membership organisation that seeks to standardise [...]
Digital Accessibility quizzes
international
The EU project "Digital Accessibility" provides six different quizzes that deal with accessible digital platforms and tools. The quizzes address different stakeholders that create, develop, design, implement or evaluate digital content. One more quiz addresses interested people in general and tests basic knowledge about digital [...]
E-Inclusion
A global review of selected digital inclusion policies.
Key findings and policy requirements for greater digital equality of children.
"(...) vast inequalities still exist in levels of internet access, digital skills and patterns of use - particularly for girls from disadvantaged communities. To rectify these inequities, a holistic approach to digital policies is essential. Using the UNICEF Child-centred Digital Equality Framework, A Global Review of Selected Digital Inclusion Policies reviewed 126 digital [...]
e-Inclusion - Building Capacity for Inclusive Education in Digital Environments
Europe; international
This project ist funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme from March 2021 to February 2023. It aims at analysing inclusion in the context of digital (higher) education. The project plans to publish a Handbook for Inclusive Digital Education, create Micro-Learning Modules on Inclusion in Digital [...]
Digital Literacy for E-Inclusion
Europe; international
This project was funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme from July 2020 to December 2021. The main aim of the project was to carry out a training course "to empower youth workers' digital competences and equip them with information and tools which will improve their work with young people through [...]
e-Skills for e-inclusion
Europe; international
The project ran from September 2016 to August 2019 and dealt with digital education and inclusion in the field of adult education and training. It was funded within the framework of the Erasmus+-programme of the European Commission. [Abstract: Editors of Education Worldwide]
White Paper: promoting Design for All and e-Accessibility in Europe.
"This White Paper results from the collaboration of Design for All (DfA) and e-Accessibility expert bodies representing the European Union member states [ref: the coordination centres of the national European Design for All e-Accessibility network (EDeAN) in 23 European Union Member States, in this document referred to as NCCs]. The objectives of this White Paper are [...]
Webdesign & Inclusion
What is inclusive design? - Comparison with ‘Universal design’
international
A short comparison of the concepts of Universal Design, Design for All, and Inclusive Design. The textprovides further links to the Design for All Foundation, to a Universal Design Handbook, an an Inclusive Design Research Centre. The text is part of the "Inclusive Design Toolkit" of the University of Cambridge. [Abstract: [...]
Universal Design 2016: Learning from the Past, Designing for the Future. - Preface
This preface of this book provides a good overview over the history and the use of the term "Universal Design". The term is also compared to similar terms like "Design for All", "Inclusive Design", "Assistive Technology" or "Accessible Design". The publication is based on the conference proceedings of the "3rd International Conference on Universal Design (UD 2016)". [...]
White Paper: promoting Design for All and e-Accessibility in Europe.
"This White Paper results from the collaboration of Design for All (DfA) and e-Accessibility expert bodies representing the European Union member states [ref: the coordination centres of the national European Design for All e-Accessibility network (EDeAN) in 23 European Union Member States, in this document referred to as NCCs]. The objectives of this White Paper are [...]
"Universal Design as a way towards more inclusion in teaching and learning in higher education" by Dr Björn Fisseler, 2014 (presentation, German only) [courtesy translation]
international
This article is in German only. But for English readers, the list of different concepts of Universal Design in Pedagogy (p. 9) can be interesting too, as the designs themselves have English names and a reference to literature is given. [Abstract: Editors of Education Worldwide]
Universal Design and Design for All (basic information) [courtesy translation]
international
A short overview over the concepts of Universal Design compared to the Design for All, including further links. The text is only available in German. You can find an English article here (access is subject to [...]
Universal design, inclusive design, accessible design, design for all: different concepts-one goal? On the concept of accessibility-historical, methodological and philosophical aspects.
"Accessibility and equal opportunities for all in the digital age have become increasingly important over the last decade. In one form or another, the concept of accessibility is being considered to a greater or smaller extent in most projects that develop interactive systems. However, the concept varies among different professions, cultures and interest groups. Design for [...]
Digital Literacy for E-Inclusion
Europe; international
This project was funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme from July 2020 to December 2021. The main aim of the project was to carry out a training course "to empower youth workers' digital competences and equip them with information and tools which will improve their work with young people through [...]
Covers several topics / not classified
G3ict – the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies
international
G3ict develops policies, standards and technical resources for inclusive ICTs together with United Nations agencies. It engages in institutional advocacy, provides training and certification and organises an annual summit. You will find a lot of information on these tasks on their website. Furthermore, you will find an Open [...]
ICT in Education for Persons with Disabilities – Policy and Innovative Practices (Unesco IITE)
international
This is the page of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) on digital education and new technologies in relation to disability and inclusion. The page provide an introduction to IITE's aims and activities regarding the topic. Furthermore, it links to a theme page on [...]
Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub)
international
GDI Hub is a research and practice centre for disability innovation. It focusses on the following themes:
* Assistive & Accessible Technology
* Inclusive Design
* Culture and Participation
* Climate & Crisis Resilience
* Inclusive Educational Technology
The website offers a wide range of news, [...]
Enhancing learning through digital tools and practices: how digital technology in compulsory education can help promote inclusion.
Final report.
"The overall aim of the study (published 2021) was to assess the actual and potential role of digital technologies in promoting access, quality and equity in compulsory school education across the EU27, and in complementing and enhancing traditional forms of teaching and learning. The study was concerned with how digital technologies can promote the inclusion of all learners, [...]
Digital Youth with Disabilities. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media and Learning
Most research on media use by young people with disabilities focuses on the therapeutic and rehabilitative uses of technology; less attention has been paid to their day-to-day encounters with media and technology--the mundane, sometimes pleasurable and sometimes frustrating experiences of "hanging out, messing around, and geeking out." In this report, Meryl Alper attempts to [...]
Le numérique par et pour l'éducation inclusive.
"The question of the convergences between inclusive and digital education is a topic that deserves to be published in a special issue: Where do we stand 25 years after the Salamanca Declaration (Unesco, 1994)? Can we think differently about inclusive education with new technologies? Which changes do we observe in inclusive practices with digital technologies? What developments [...]
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on the education of persons with disabilities: Challenges and opportunities of distance education.
"This policy brief (2021) is part of the Global Programme Supporting Disability Inclusive COVID-19 Response and Recovery at National Level, funded by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). Proceeding from the review and analysis of the Programme-related research findings, the document presents recommendations to support relevant [...]
ICTs in Education for People with Disabilities.
Review of innovative practice.
"The Review presents examples of practice of the use of information and communication technologies for people with disabilities in different educational contexts and settings worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Latin America, CIS and Baltic States. The goal of the Review is to highlight key messages and recommendations for policy and practice in this area." [Abstract: Editor's [...]
Opening New Avenues for Empowerment.
ICTs to Access Information and Knowledge for Persons with Disabilities.
This Report builds on five regional reports commissioned by UNESCO to look at the use of ICTs to access information and knowledge by people with disabilities (PWD). One of the main questions of the report is how current and emerging technologies can be made more accessible, affordable and relevant for particular target groups. It is based on the United Nations Convention on [...]
Dis-/Abilities and Digital Media (2020-2022)
international; Germany; Austria; Switzerland; Canada; United States of America (USA)
"Contemporary digital media practices developed and employed by people with disabilities is an important and growing research field, which unfortunately has been neglected by German Media Studies. (...) The proposed scientific network will address these [...]
RAPIDE Relevant assessment and pedagogies for inclusive digital education
Europe; Netherlands; Germany; Croatia; United Kingdom
The aim of the project is to co-create, implement and share innovative pedagogies and aligned assessment for relevant and inclusive digital education in order to deal with the COVID-19 induced and similar crises and to support meaningful digital transformation of Higher Education.
The [...]
News worldwide
- USA Election 2024: Teaching materials and the topic of education in the election campaign
- For the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024: New dossier on education in Italy
- Science at war: Ukraine and Russia research reposition themselves (DLF Kultur 11.07.24) [courtesy translation]
- #ETU4REF - ‘In and Through Education: Education Trade Unions support the inclusion of refugees and migrants’ (project 2023-2025)