Tech-Driven Equity: Collaborative Whole-Systems Approach to Redesigning Irish Universities for Students With Disabilities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Advancing Technology in Higher Education (Table 10)

Abstract

The increasing demand for equitable higher education necessitates a transformation to design more inclusive higher education. Adopting a systems-thinking approach, this study explored guiding principles and actions for developing technology-inclusive university settings in Ireland for all, including students with disabilities. A virtual world-café dialogue forum (n=50) with students with disabilities and other stakeholders representing higher education, non-profit organizations, and government bodies framed six guiding principles and associated actions in a shared holistic agenda for technology-driven equity in Irish universities. It highlighted integrated support for technology, universalist settings, system-wide collaboration, and student partnership in repairing the higher education ecosystem towards inclusivity for all, including students with disabilities.

Authors

• Klavdija Zorec, Faculty of Information Studies, Slovenia

• Pamela Gallagher, Dublin City University