Objective
The strategic goal of the proposed thematic network is to integrate information and identify core knowledge sets and skills for model curricula in Design for All for Information and Communication Products, Systems and Services. The proposed network situates its activities in the multidisciplinary area of design, especially design for, and supported by, information and communication technologies. The Design for All or Universal Design philosophy embraces a wide range of design artefacts, including the built environment and landscape architecture, biomedical and rehabilitation engineering. The proposed network intends to focus on the design of information and communication products, systems and services. The enormous socio-economic importance of such products, systems and services for all sectors of society, in particular as enablers of tele-working and tele-education, as well as in their roles in applications related to e-health, leisure and consumer activities, is well established.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The work is organized in four Activity Phases (AP):
1. AP1: Information gathering and organization. 'Rich picture' building:
Understanding the content and structure of design curricula Europe wide and beyond;
Understanding the needs of the ICT industry - their ideal graduate profile for design-ers and engineers;
Future needs in the ambient intelligence landscape;
Understanding the needs of designers and engineers and how their advice can be integrated with, e.g. ergonomics methods and tools to enhance communication and learning.
2. AP2: Identification of Core Knowledge Sets and Skills for model curricula in Design for All
Determining competency levels: depth of knowledge versus breadth of knowledge;
Integration of new information and research results:
W3C-WAI;
results from standardization bodies in ICT (e.g. ETSI);
results from related areas, accessibility groups in education, libraries, medical systems, etc. (e.g. IMS);
results from legislative bodies;
results from technology oriented bodies; results from other projects;
Identification of R&D tools that are used for the development of accessible and adaptive internet services, and that can be used in teaching;
Exchanging information with similar initiatives in other countries, or international organizations.
3. AP3: Design for All Education and Research Policies and Strategies:
Information gathering will focus on identification of Design for All and Design for All related higher education and research policies in EU member countries. Similar in-formation will be gathered from the USA.
Assessment of and recommendations for development of DfA related higher education and research policies and strategies. Recommendations will be developed in close collaboration with the European DfA Centres of Excellence and existing higher education networks in design and engineering field, i.e. CUMULUS, a well-established design university network in Europe, and EIDD European Institute for Design and Disability, a design based network supporting inclusion of all citizens in the Information Society through design.
Dissemination of results from information gathering and analysis of DfA related higher education and research policies to relevant agencies in order to support development of model curricula for DfA.
4. AP4: Network Management.
MILESTONES
M1: Establishment of management and dissemination tools - Month 3.
M2: First workshop report concluded - Month 7.
M3: First review documents and progress reports - Month 10.
M4: End of the project - Month 18.
Funding Scheme
THN - Thematic network contractsCoordinator
80686 Muenchen
Germany
Participants (12)
Clontarf, Dublin 3
EC1V 0HB London
44300 Nantes
4040 Linz
3520 Zonhoven
3000 Leuven
LE11 3TU Loughborough, Leicestershire
24118 Kiel
WC1H 9NE London
00530 Helsinki
46010 Valencia
81100 Mytilene
