1. The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology Improving the accessibility of virtual learning environments using the EU4ALL framework Chris Douce Accessible Educational Media, Institute of Educational Technology, Open University, UK

2. The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology Outline Project overview Areas of investigation Framework overview Stories and services Further work Summary

3. Project overview The EU4ALL project aims to develop a flexible, open, standards-based architecture of services to support lifelong learning within higher education institutions for all people. Materials Services

4. Project overview 4 year EU FP6 13 partners (academic, industrial, non-profit) Groups: requirements, standards, technical, services Open University –150,000 undergraduates –30,000 people taking postgraduate courses –Over 600 courses towards 200 qualifications –Over 10,000 students with disabilities

5. Areas of investigation Embedding accessibility into learning environments Investigating personalisation of user experience Understanding how to efficiently provide services Exploitation of international standards Integration with institutional systems Support learner (needs and materials) Support staff (co-ordinate responses) Support institution (best practices and efficiencies)

6. Framework overview (1) Different types of framework: –Institutional level –Community level –Personal level EU4ALL: considers how technology can support these different levels

7. Framework overview (2) Student Interface (VLE) EU4ALL Framework Staff Interface (Intranet) CP UMDMMR ESSRS

8. Framework overview (3) Abstract eService workflow Process state Task

9. Stories and services Studying at the Open University

10. Stories and services Asking questions about courses

11. Stories and services Using course resources

12. Stories and services Assessment: selection of assistive technologies

13. Stories and services Effectiveness of the assessment

14. Stories and services Creating learning materials

15. Stories and services Ordering alternatives

16. Stories and services Actors

17. Further work Building of prototypes Connect different components together Identify barriers to implementation Continue to consider learning technology standards Approach to support the creation of alternative materials Evaluation

18. Summary An open, standard-based architecture of services A conceptual and a technical framework Emphasises the need to consider different materials Contributes to e-learning body of knowledge Contributes to learning technology standards Contributes to policy development (internally and externally)

19. The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology Acknowledgements http://www.eu4all-project.eu IST-2006-034778

20. The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology Outline Project overview Areas of investigation Framework overview Stories and services Further work Summary