NEWS

INES Ruhengeri recently hosted a comprehensive Training of Trainers workshop on “Promoting Equal Access in Academic and Social Life for All” aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of accessibility and well-being for students with disabilities. The workshop, organized as part of the ANSWER project’s initiatives, focused on equipping participants with practical skills and strategies to promote inclusivity within Rwanda’s higher education system.

The learning outcomes of the workshop were carefully designed to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to address accessibility barriers and prioritize the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

Among the key learning outcomes are :
1. Understanding terminology and evolution of concepts related to well-being : Participants gained insight into the evolution of concepts related to well-being and its significance in the context of disability, enabling them to foster environments conducive to holistic development.
2. Identifying the importance of well-being in disability : Participants recognized the critical role of well-being in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Understanding the intersection between disability and well-being is essential for creating inclusive environments that support the overall health and happiness of all individuals.
3. Identifying accessibility barriers : Participants learned to recognize and address barriers that hinder access to digital information for individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities, thereby promoting equal opportunities for all.
4. Creating accessible documents : Through practical exercises, participants acquired techniques to create accessible documents in Word and PowerPoint, such as using headings, lists, tables, alternative descriptions for images, and ensuring proper color usage.
5. Conversion and verification of accessible multimedia PDFs : Participants gained proficiency in converting Word documents and PowerPoint presentations into accessible PDFs and utilizing tools to verify their accessibility, ensuring information is readily available to all individuals.
6. Application of assistive technologies : The workshop equipped participants with an understanding of how assistive technologies, including screen readers, alternative input devices, and voice recognition software, are utilized to interact with digital documents. Participants also learned to optimize documents to accommodate these technologies effectively.

By focusing on these learning outcomes, the workshop aimed to empower participants to become advocates for accessibility and well-being within their respective institutions. Through their enhanced skills and knowledge, participants are poised to contribute to the creation of an inclusive higher education environment where individuals with disabilities can thrive.

The success of the workshop underscores the commitment of the ANSWER project and its partners to drive positive change and foster a society where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has equal opportunities to access education and participate fully in society.

Story by
NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
Public Relations Officer
University of Rwanda-College of Education
Tel +250788568937
sntirandekura@gmail.com