The initial objectives were to: • Raise awareness on technologies and tools that may assist Students with Disabilities. • Conduct a study on the reality of the services provided and the level of support for SwD and a community accountability mechanism for the services provided • Develop digital training competences of educators and teachers – enabling them to high quality inclusive digital education customized on the special needs of SwD. • Equip educators and teachers with the necessary tools and competences to familiarize with creative and innovative solutions for enhancing the skilling up of SwD. • Extend existing networks associations, private and public authorities, academic institutions, participant SMEs beyond national limits and identify new challenges to the disciplinary and regulatory diversity of education through online means. • Develop a web platform for supporting the exchange experiences and success stories among partners • Build an Open Source Learning Repository with digital content, tools and innovative practices, to facilitate easier learning for SwD • Utilize online tools and applications to reach a large audience and support the wider effectiveness of learning activities.
The project was initially conceptualized based on the needs identified within the Social Welfare of University of Patras. The COVID pandemic stretched the need of working / being trained remotely, hence working online. This need highlighted the importance of trainers and trainees (SwD) having the basic skills and capabilities to work online. Given specific disabilities, the use of assistive technologies and useful online tools could be a critical asset in facilitating a more effective and inclusive training process in HE for SwD. This priority aimed in supporting SwD to build their capacity and acquire employment-related skills during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the Inclusion and diversity in all fields of education horizontal priority, this project aimed and achieved to promote social inclusion and improving the outreach to students in higher education with fewer opportunities, addressing mainly students with disabilities (SwD).