On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December 2020), this webinar will provide a space for education specialists, IT solution providers and other specialists to share their experience delivering education through open and distance learning for their students with disabilities. “Leaving no one behind” is only possible if education is made fully inclusive, accessible and affordable for all students.
The speakers will also reflect on the further implementation of UNESCO Open Educational Resources (OER) Recommendation which was adopted by UNESCO General Conference at its 40th session in 2019. The OER Recommendation supports the creation, use and adaptation of inclusive and quality OER, facilitates international cooperation in this field, and is the fruit of over a decade of multi-stakeholder efforts in the area of OER.
Targeted efforts should include all learners in formal and non-formal education contexts irrespective of, inter alia, age, gender, ability, and socio-economic status, as well as those in vulnerable situations, indigenous peoples, those in remote rural areas (including nomadic populations), people residing in areas affected by conflicts and natural disasters, ethnic minorities, migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. In all instances, gender equality should be ensured, and particular attention paid to equity and inclusion for learners who are especially disadvantaged due to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.
The webinar will be organized online and interpretation services provided in French, English and Spanish.
The webinar will be moderated by: Ms Melissa Chan, broadcast journalist currently working at DW News Asia and collaborates with the Global Reporting Centre (USA)
Participants:
- Mayor Mr Héctor López Santillana, Mayor of Léon (Mexico)
- Prof. Alan Tait, Director, International Development and Teacher Education, The Open University, UK, Executive Committee Member, International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) (UK)
- Prof. Jutta Treviranus, Professor and Director, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University (Canada)
- Dr Dianne Chambers, Associate Dean Research, School of Education; Coordinator of Special and Inclusive Education, University of Notre Dame Australia (Australia)
- Mr Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Program Manager, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) and Laureate of the UNESCO/Emir Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Bangladesh)
Please register here for the webinar “Disability inclusive response for COVID-19 through Open and Distance Learning”