Alex Varley, CEO
Keynote address: University access and equity for students with a disability
Presented by Mary Kelly, Equity Director, Queensland University of Technology, Equity Section, Administration Services, Sunday 9.30 am
This session is looking at an area that is really starting to focus on accessibility – tertiary education. Universities have significant disabled student populations and have been quick to develop action plans and deal with equity issues. However, at a practical level the challenge is much harder. In our work with Australian universities we have found that the core issue is ensuring that academics and other content providers understand the importance of accessibility in creating course materials. Queensland University of Technology has a good reputation for looking at accessibility and I am hoping that Kelly’s presentation will focus on practical issues and solutions.
Chris Mikul, project manager for television
The Marrakesh Treaty and the next steps to end the Book Famine
Presented by Maryanne Diamond, Past President of the World Blind Union, Tuesday 9.00 am
The Marrakesh Treaty aims to change global copyright law to make it easier for books and other works to be made available in accessible formats for blind readers. As a writer and book lover, I’m appalled at the tiny number of books that make it into accessible formats, and hope that this treaty will make a real difference there.
Anne McGrath, Education manager
Keynote Address: Increasing the mathematics competence of youth with vision impairment through the AnimalWatch Vi Suite iPad App
Presented by Dr Penny Rosenblum, Tuesday 9.00 am
Maths is often a subject that students who are blind or have low vision have difficulty in accessing curriculum content. This session explores the development of a specific app based on the simple premise of giving young people the opportunity to succeed in algebra and advanced maths with possible flow on effect of students proceeding into science and related fields. The app, with a myriad of accessibility features, would be welcomed by teachers who work with students who are blind or have low vision, and is very relevant to the education access work of Media Access Australia.
Dr Scott Hollier, manager, major projects
The iPad - Is it as good as it’s cracked up to be?
Presented by Phillipa Enright, Advisory Visiting Teacher, Vision Impairment, Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment Monday 2.25 pm
There’s lots of discussion in print disability circles around the merits of the Apple iPad. Discussions include the benefits of the technology due to its screen reader capabilities and incredible range of available apps. Others are concerned that the move towards digital devices and a reliance on speech denies the opportunity for people with print disabilities to learn the spelling, punctuation and grammar provided in other resources such as Braille. It’ll be interesting to hear Enright’s perspective on whether the iPad is friend or foe, where the benefits are and which issues need to be addressed.
The full conference program can be downloaded the Round Table website. Alex Varley will also be speaking on access to entertainment on Sunday at 3.30 pm.
Conference details
Date: Saturday 17 May – Tuesday 20 May 2014
Location: Brisbane
Cost: $450 for self-funded consumers, $975 for organisation delegates. Single day registration is also available.
Registrations: Register before 5 April on the Round Table website.
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