Access to Mathematics and Science

 

Access to information and thereby inclusion of blind and visually handicapped students into education has witnessed considerable progress over the last decades. This is due to modern Information Technology and Assistive Technology offering access to text and standard computer applications.
When looking at mathematics and science it becomes obvious that there has been much less progress due to the complexity of notations and concepts which are very much visual oriented. Also people with vision problems often are “excused” from these subjects and are not motivated to enter into science and technology.
Due to this

  • access to mathematical materials
  • learning mathematics and
  • doing mathematics

have always been daunting tasks for the students with vision problems. For the most part, a task that restricted their entry into careers based on the reading and writing of mathematical equations. There have been some notable exceptions, but for the most part education in the domains of math, physics, computer science and engineering have been beyond the grasp of blind students.

Nevertheless significant progress has been made in R&D related to tools and methods related to access to math and science. This workshop intends to bring together experts from around the world to present and discuss the state of the art, the actual research and development activities and the future perspectives in access to math and science. It is the aim of the meeting to find ways how the potential of ICT and AT could lead to advancments in education and career of blind and visually handicapped students in math and science.

In addition to our coverage of new tools to help the blind, we have an newly established summer school named  "the Summer University of Math and Science." This project is a great step forward for those with disabilities who are having trouble learning math and science. For more information about the Summer University, please check the following URL:  http://www.icchp.org/call/summeruniversity

Portrait of Art Karshmer Art Karshmer
University of San Francisco, akarshmer@usfca.edu

Submission:
Contributions to a STS have to be submitted using the standard submission procedures of ICCHP at:
ICCHP Conference Tool

When submitting your contribution please make sure to select the right STS under the category "STS/Session".
Contributions to a STS are evaluated by the Programme Commitee of ICCHP and by the chair(s) of the STS.
Please get in contact with the STS chairs for discussing your involvement and pre-evaluation of your contribution.

Submission Deadline: February 1, 2014