In the framework of the ViPi project, G.M EuroCy Innovations Ltd has organised a local training workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 22 March 2013. The scope of the workshop was to present the outcomes of the ViPi project to local stakeholders and train them on how to use these outcomes in view of the ViPi pilot phase. The workshop was very interesting and helpful for all participants. The local stakeholders had the chance to see a full list of the ViPi outcomes, play with them and discuss about their potential exploitation. Participants were also informed about the local pilot procedures and they expressed their interest to participate and contribute to the success of the project. For those interested, the current status of the outcome of the ViPi project can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8jyle4q3nu49tfq/yL-O0fq5TR .
The material is freely available under proper Open Source Software licenses and Creative Commons agreements. Everybody is welcome to disseminate the material. We will be glad to answer any questions and organise further training events.
This document aims to identify and set out the design of the research programme in order that ViPi’s outputs can meet the needs of the stakeholders that it sets out to benefit. The document begins by detailing the similarities and differences between the national contexts in the partner countries of education and employment for people with disabilities. Details of the research methodology to be employed in the ViPi Project are given in Chapter 3. In section 4 we define the technological sectors that will be utilised –the state of the art-, and in sections 5 and 6 we briefly outline the evaluation strategies to be applied and target groups to be addressed by the project respectively. (pdf)
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) potentially provides many opportunities of employment for people with disabilities. However, recent findings show that many people with disabilities have a lack of even basic training in the use of ICT (Van Isacker & Goranova, 2010; Van Isacker et al, 2009 and 2010; Van Isacker, 2010), and consequently also on how to use ICT based assistive technologies. This may be for many reasons, including poor access to training buildings, inaccessible training materials, and lack of knowledge of assistive technologies among trainers. Considering the fact that ICT knowledge is core to finding a job nowadays, increasing the level of ICT skills in people with disabilities should allow them to increase their ability to gain and hold employment in the regular labour market. The 2005 strategy document from the UK Office of the Deputy Prime Minister includes reference to this by stating that “ICT changes the nature of a considerable number of jobs, in a way that allows the development of a more inclusive labour market. It introduces opportunities for home working, more flexible working patterns, better engagement in the workforce of disabled people and a range of new jobs”. (Nigel Meager, Darcy Hill, Sally Wilson, 2007)
The ‘Virtual Portal for Interaction and ICT Training for People with Disabilities’ (ViPi) project was instigated to help address these issues. The project aims at creating accessible and flexible basic ICT skills training, designed to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities.
Whilst defining the project research methodology, research was carried out into the policy and ICT teaching accessibility in the consortium countries and Europe-wide. A survey was also devised in the early stages of the project in order to gain data about the ICT training and learning experiences of people with disabilities, the organisations representing them, trainers, policy makers and intermediaries. The report comprises the survey analysis findings related to ICT training, Community needs, relevant methodologies, pedagogical approaches, available training material, etc. Furthermore, it contains a comparative analysis, describing, assessing and comparing the national peculiarities and similarities of the end-user requirements in the different partner countries. (pdf)
Two European lifelong learning projects (the VIPI and ATLEC project) will come to an end and the final Symposium will present their outcomes within a wider framework of learning, employment and independent living for people with disabilities.
The two projects are complementary as VIPI focuses on the development of skills in ICT for (young) adults with disabilities and ATLEC on skills and competences in ICT based Assistive Technologies.
The Symposium has a twofold aim: raising awareness among gatekeepers and policy makers on the need for ICT and ICT_AT training and on the other hand providing concrete curricula, methods and tools produced in the project. Highlighting needs and showing material to tackle those needs, is considered a valuable contribution to further equal opportunities and the participation of people with disabilities in learning and employment.
The symposium therefore presents academic and experience-based contributions, while interactivity, dialogue and information exchange is sought in parallel sessions and in the exhibition.
Other relevant projects and experiences are therefore invited to contribute with a poster or by sending leaflets to enrich the exhibition.
The participation of people with disabilities is incentivised by an accessible venue and by accessible presentations.
ViPi team gave a training in Leuven on 19 February about the efficient and effective use of social media in the context of project promotion. This training session was part of the Web2LLP social media training sessions. It also focused on ensuring disseminated information and material is available for all in an accessible format.
ViPi project attended the LLL Projects Meeting in Brussels on 4-5 February, and also gave a presentation on (Accessible) social media usage in the KA3-ICT session on social media usage by projects. The presentation can be found below.
The present document aims at discussing the pedagogical and educational benefits and impact of applying blended learning approaches for people with disabilities, using the full advantages of Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. The specific use of ViPi interactive tools and services is also discussed. The final objective of the work is to provide to trainers a blue print on how to optimally use the ViPi platform and its tools and services and training material, as well as, the provided serious (mobile) games and have it integrated in current training practices and customised e-portfolios. (pdf)
ViPi is featured on page 7 of the December 2012 issue 10 of IRIS magazine (an information service for parents of children & young people with disabilities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire). You can download it here.
A G3ict Report Assessing the Degree of Compliance of States Parties with the ICT Accessibility Provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been released by G3ict.
The 2012 CRPD Progress Report (PDF Version (3.8 MB) | Second edition 2012) includes the latest data on 52 countries representing 77.4 percent of the World Population. The report offers disability advocates, governments, civil society and international organizations — monitoring the progress of the implementation of the Convention by States Parties — a unique benchmarking tool that collects data on country laws, policies, and programs pertaining to accessible and assistive Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) around the globe. All results are available cross-tabulated by region, level of income per capita of Human Development Index to facilitate benchmarking by advocates and policy makers.
Source: G3ict
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16/05/2013 9:29 am | 
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