ICHED 2013 - Eighth International Conference on Higher Education and Disability

The eighth international conference on higher education and disability is a unique outgrowth of the long-standing friendship agreement between the University of Innsbruck and the University of New Orleans Training, Resource, and Assistive-technology Center (UNO TRAC).

Since 1992 the conference has been held every three years at the University of Innsbruck. The conference has grown into an international event attracting participants from 50 countries. In addition to the countries in Western Europe, the conferences have included representatives from the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Botswana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, Croatia, Japan, Turkey, Brazil, Canada and the USA. The participants profited from exchanging ideas about approaches, programs, and best practices. They also enjoyed an easy camaraderie with an international group of colleagues gathered in an intimate, working conference. Using the information and experience from the previous events, this conference will equip participants with resources to build successful programs and further develop our network of international colleagues.

ORGANIZERS: University of Innsbruck, Austria; University of New Orleans, USA.

CO-SPONSORS:
Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven, Belgium; AHEAD (Association of Higher
Education and Disability) USA; Mobility International USA; National Clearinghouse on Disability And Exchange (roundtable composed of key disability organizations and major international exchange groups) USA; Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, Germany; Association for Higher Education Access & Disability, Ireland

TARGET AUDIENCE: Post-secondary educators, administrators, and disability service providers; members of international exchange organizations and their participants.

FOCUS: Post-secondary students with disabilities.

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE LANGUAGE: English

ACCESSIBILITY: The conference program, facility, and housing are accessible. To request this document in an alternative format, or for additional information, please send your request to innsbruckconf2013-AT-uno.edu. Presenters are responsible for providing presentation materials in alternative formats.

PRESENTATION TOPICS
I. Innovations in Higher Education: Programs, Services, Technology, and Funding
Presenters are encouraged to share their practical experience with the major educational stages of university students with disabilities: preparing for college, maximizing the university experience; and moving from graduation into the world of work.

Suggested topics: E-learning and electronic information, multimedia communication and accessibility, student empowerment, leadership training, testing and assessment, classroom accommodations, assistive technology, universal design, learning strategies, volunteerism, creative funding, internship programs, job placement, managing a disability support office, creating programs to improve service delivery etc. Focus of this area is on concrete experience, rather than on theory and research. However, applied research that helps guide planning and programmatic decisions is within this scope.

II. International Educational Exchange Programs
Presenters with a background in international educational exchange (especially those who have been involved with or participated in exchanges of students with disabilities) are invited to submit proposals.

Suggested topics: Experiences with exchange programs, issues with the admissions process, classroom and study accommodations, physical and program accessibility, health and personal care issues, cross-cultural issues/language barriers, friendship treaties, marketing to and recruiting students with disabilities, collaborations between campus disability support offices and study abroad programs, resources for international exchange programs, etc.

III. Approaches to Professional Development and Standards for Disability Service Providers.
Presenters are invited to contribute approaches to enhance the field of disability support in higher education.

Suggested topics: Model degree and training programs for careers in the disability support field, providing continuing education programs for persons already in the field, developing disability awareness programs to promote inclusion in various academic disciplines, ways to promote diversity in disability support personnel, approaches to developing and implementing institutional, regional or national professional standards for disability support personnel, etc.

Complete the proposal form to submit your paper. We will be revewing submissions and will notify candidates no later than February 8, 2013

Proposal Form http://www.trac.uno.edu/presenters/
Conference e-mail: innsbruckconf2013-AT-uno.edu