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Towards an approach for an accessible and inclusive Virtual Education using ESVI-AL project results

Hector R. Amado-Salvatierra (GES, Universidad Galileo, Guatemala City, Guatemala)
Jose R. Hilera (Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

Interactive Technology and Smart Education

ISSN: 1741-5659

Article publication date: 21 September 2015

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present an approach to achieve accessible and inclusive Virtual Education for all, but especially intended for students with disabilities. This work proposes main steps to take into consideration for stakeholders involved in the educational process related to an inclusive e-Learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper pays particular regard to accessibility in Virtual Education. This work is based on the activities prepared from years 2012 to 2015 within the initiative called ESVI-AL. This initiative was carried outin conjunction with Latin American and European Universities; for this paper, experiences and best practices from the initiative were used to prepare the proposed approach.

Findings

The aim of ESVI-AL initiative was to offer products that can help in the development of an accessible and inclusive e-Learning education. Among the main results were reports, case studies, practical guidelines, training courses and software to install virtual campuses with accessibility features.

Social implications

Nowadays, few countries have laws promoting and enforcing accessibility for e-Education and e-Society. This work aims to sensitize educators from different countries and raise awareness on the importance of working together toward an inclusive society based on accessible e-Learning.

Originality/value

Based on a literature review and ESVI-AL initiative results, a descriptive overview was prepared as a starting point for the four identified main actors of an educational project, namely, educators, technical staff, quality auditors and students, with special emphasis on students with disabilities.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work has been financed by the European Union, through the ALFA III Programme of Cooperation between Higher Education Institutions of the European Union and Latin America.

Citation

Amado-Salvatierra, H.R. and Hilera, J.R. (2015), "Towards an approach for an accessible and inclusive Virtual Education using ESVI-AL project results", Interactive Technology and Smart Education, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 158-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-04-2015-0005

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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