AccessibleEU – Enhancing an Accessible Educational Ecosystem
On 9 September 2025, the European event AccessibleEU, titled Enhancing an Accessible Educational Ecosystem, took place at the European University Cyprus in Nicosia. Organized within the framework of the 18th International Conference of AAATE (Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe), the event brought together more than 700 participants and focused on the importance of accessibility in the education system. Among the participants was Dr. Matjaž Debevc, the AccessibleEU national expert for Slovenia.
In their opening remarks, representatives of the European Commission and AccessibleEU emphasized the crucial role of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the need to systematically integrate accessibility knowledge into all levels of education. Cyprus’s Minister of Education, Athena Michaelidou, highlighted accessibility as both a right and a duty, as well as a foundation of social justice.
The discussions, held in the form of panels, underlined the necessity of methodological accessibility and teacher training, the importance of assistive technologies, and the impact of standards and legislation on university practices. Examples of good practices were presented, along with calls for greater attention to specific forms of disability, such as dyslexia, autism, and intellectual disabilities.
In closing, participants stressed the importance of ensuring the long-term operation of the AccessibleEU center and fostering cross-sector cooperation. A key outcome was the adoption of an initiative to prepare a Declaration on the Integration of Accessibility into Higher Education Programs, to be officially signed on 11 September 2025 in Nicosia.
The event once again demonstrated that accessibility in the educational ecosystem goes beyond legal requirements – it is a fundamental social value and a prerequisite for the equal inclusion of persons with disabilities. For the academic community in Slovenia, it serves as an incentive to reflect on how to embed accessibility as a competence in study programs and to recognize it as a vital skill for future professionals across all fields.