Universally Designed Digital Textbooks for Equitable Learning: A Comparative European Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Designing for Inclusion – Universal Design, Digital Access, and Validity

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the XXX XXX XXX (XXX) project, funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme. The project aims to improve accessibility and inclusiveness of digital textbooks in primary and lower secondary education. It consisted in a comparative analysis of existing textbooks, a systematic review of the literature, the creation of catalogue criteria and guidelines, and the development of prototypes. The textbook analysis and literature review revealed significant shortcomings in accessibility and curricular consistency. Prototypes demonstrated that concrete products, integrating multimodal resources, accessibility features and differentiated pathways for students with various needs can ensure equitable access and highlight subject-specific practices. The project provides valuable guidance for educators, publishers and policymakers in the development of future materials

Authors

• Vanessa Macchia, Free University - Bozen-Bolzano

• Stefania Torri, Free University - Bozen-Bolzano

• Maxim Brnic, University of Münster

• Sven Degenhardt, University of Hamburg

• Sarah Edelsbrunner, Technical University of Graz

• Tom Erdel, Centre pour le développement des compétences relatives à la vue

• Gilbert Greefrath, University of Münster

• Bernhard Kargl, Technical University of Graz

• Hannah Lathan, University of Vechta

• Leif Mönter, University of Vechta

• Sandra Schön, Technical University of Graz

• Marie-Luise Schütt, University of Hamburg

• Mike Wetzel, Centre pour le développement des compétences relatives à la vue