This webinar is organised by ALT as part of our work with the Further Higher Education Digital AccessibilityWorking Group (FHEDAWG).

You can view a recording of the session also download the slides from this session (.pptx). 

Session Summary

On 23 September 2018, the government brought the EU Web Accessibility Directive into law with a statutory instrument. Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology produced to report to shape the implementation of the regulations to promote inclusive teaching in FE and HE. Since the report’s publication Robert and his team have continued to engage with the Cabinet Office, the Office for Students and Department for Education, and we are beginning to see some of the recommendations adopted. The FE and HE sectors have also responded to the recommendations in the report, by forming a Digital Accessibility Working Group, of which Robert is a co-chair. This webinar will explore what the new regulations and implementation efforts mean for universities and disabled students.

Biography

Robert McLaren is the Head of Industry, Technology & Innovation at Policy Connect, a cross-party not for profit think tank. His work covers data, design, manufacturing and assistive technology policy. Robert is a co-chair of the FE/HE Digital Accessible Working Group, a member of the DfE Assistive Technology Expert Group, and a member of the Bournemouth University External Advisory Board on Assistive Technologies (Research) and co-founder of the AT Officers’ Network (HE). Robert is dyslexic and was first introduced to assistive technology when he received a Disabled Student's Allowance as an undergraduate.

Technical Support

The webinar will run in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and we will issue joining instructions approximately three days prior to the event. Even if you are familiar with Blackboard, it is important that you check in advance that your system and connection are capable of handling a session. More support on using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is available from https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant, and refer to the guidance at https://www.alt.ac.uk/events/webinar-faqs.