Last year at the pre-conference program of the ICCHP-congress (International Congress on Computers Helping People with Special Needs) in Vienna, the first Summeruniversity was organized for blind and low vision students who want or have to do mathematics, statistics or science.
This year there is no ICCHP, but the event was so successful that it was decided to have ICCHP-Summer University at the ICCHP in the even years and have it elsewhere in the odd years. In hands-on workshops students work with accessible software and technology. Workshop leaders often are students (or researchers) with a visual impairment. Not only knowledge, also experiences can be shared.
The Summer University aims principally at students in their last year of secondary education or their first year in higher education. But it appeared that also more advanced students thought this a very interesting event, as do teachers and other professionals, involved in making studying material accessible.
This year there is a Student track, a Teacher (& Transcriber) track and a Lab, a place for developers and students to meet. Not only computer solutions are presented, there are workshops both for teachers, transcribers and students on the production and use of tactile images. In the lab students can use models that explain geometric concepts and perspective. There is a workshop for teachers on how to use them in inclusive classrooms.
We’ll have workshop leaders and attendants mostly from Europe, but also from Japan and USA. The beautiful and very well accessible venue in Telč in the Czech Republic, guarantees a very pleasant stay and opportunities to meet with peers and experts. Shuttle buses from Prague and Vienna will be available. The participation fee, approximately 100 Euro’s, including accommodation, meals, shuttle bus and leisure-time activities, is very low, thanks to a generous subsidy from the Czech Government.
You’ll find the program on www.icchp-su.net. There still are some places available, but don’t wait to register to avoid disappointment. If you have any further questions you can contact Dorine in ‘t Veld (ditveld@bartimeus.nl).
