The main topics of this workshop were the next processes in the project and the final improvement of the rating system corresponding to the first results in the rating of the available e-learning services in the partner countries. In presentations and workgroup-sessions the intermediate results were presented to the audience and guests. All partners agreed to downsize and simplify the rating catalogues of all systems, so that they will be more transparent for developers and service providers. To enable an easy-to-use self screening and a pre-selection of appropriate platforms, a shortlist with six essential prerequisites of accessibility was developed during the workshop.

This shortlist and the finalized rating system will be available on the project website in November 2005. As an evidence about the necessity of this project, Mr. Denninghaus from the BBW Soest announced, that he will use this shortlist in the future as decision guideline for purchasing software in his institute.

Amongst all partners it was also agreed, that in accordance to the W3C procedures three accessibility degrees will finally be certified by the rating system. This will enable a more detailed rating about the degree of appropriateness corresponding to the adaptation to the special needs of the target group.

All project partners suggested to open the rating system to the demands of other user groups with special needs. This will enhance the value of this project for developers and service providers. This also corresponds to the valorisation strategy of the coordinator to establish an open and interdisciplinary consortium considering the accessibility of e-learning products.

Cooperation with SEE-ViP and TELEOBA

Regarding the Valorisation aspect of “E-Learn-ViP” it was a pleasure to establish during this workshop a future cooperation with two new European projects funded within the EQUAL and the GRUNDTVIG programmes. The project TELEOBA which belongs to the EQUAL network BIBER and the GRUNDTVIG project SEE-ViP will develop strategies and courses for visually impaired people. The results of E-Learn-ViP will be a valuable contribution for both projects, to improve their outcome. It was agreed between the project coordinators that an intense cooperation concerning the production, dissemination and valorisation strategies will be strived in the future. As an example the coordinator of the project “See-ViP”, Mr. Uwe Hoppe presented the aims of this new project where a blended learning course for visually handicapped interpreters will be developed.

That accessible platforms are already available on the market was demonstrated by the visitors of the BBW Chemnitz. Mrs. Heike Wiedemann and her husband Uwe presented the solution of their virtual learning environment www.brailleware.de based on the content management system ATutor.

Of course the cultural aspects and the aspects of learning from the other European partners had their place during this workshop. All guests got the chance to explore the “Sensual world” of the BFW Halle. The “Sensual world” is a special event to sensitize sighted people about visual handicaps.

After two days of intense working and exchange of working results, all participants and guests left this meeting with the intense impression, that a lot has be done on the field of e-learning for people with visually impairment. E-Learn-ViP certainly will highly contribute to an improved access and higher accessibility of future services in this field.

The participating institutions

- Estonian Foundation for the Visually Impaired
- Berufsbildungswerk Soest
- Berufsbildungswerk Chemnitz
- Technical University of Dresden
- Bildungswerk der Sächsischen Wirtschaft, Chemnitz