MEV.1. Multiplier Event in Greece

On October 31, 2024, a multiplier event was held at the University of Macedonia regarding accessibility in Distance Education for Higher Education Students with Disabilities.

Key Highlights:

• Presentations
  • Project Coordinator, Prof. Konstantinos Papadopoulos, opened the event with an overview of the HEDforALL project, highlighting its objectives and key outcomes.
  • Subsequent sessions, delivered by Prof. Papadopoulos and accessibility experts Isaraj Lisander and Aikaterini Gkatzola, focused on accessible material development. The presentations emphasized methods and best practices to meet the needs of Higher Education Students with Disabilities.
• Scenarios and examples
  • Hands-on experiences included examples of accessible materials and realistic scenarios showcasing how these materials could be used effectively in Distance Education environments. Participants explored tailored solutions to address challenges in accessibility.
• Panel Discussions, Questions & Answers
  • An interactive panel discussion fostered a collaborative exchange of ideas, focusing on the role of technology in supporting Students with Disabilities, the needs and challenges in developing accessible materials.
  • Interactive discussions highlighted the need for integrating assistive technologies in Distance Education.

Conclusions: The Multiplier Event at the University of Macedonia served as an opportunity to advance discussions on accessibility in Higher Education. Showcasing innovative methodologies and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the event underscored the importance of inclusive education for Students with Disabilities. With attendees joining both in person and remotely, the event fostered engagement among participants, creating a collaborative platform to discuss innovative solutions for inclusive education.

Impact: The event was conducted in a hybrid format, with 74 remote participants and 24 attending in person. Attendees included teaching staff from primary, secondary, and higher education, accessibility service providers, and policymakers. Feedback from participants was highly positive, appreciating the event’s value and expressing interest in similar initiatives in the future.