We are proud to announce the launch of the “Orientation and Mobility Instructor for Individuals with Blindness or Visual Impairment” post-graduate programme — the result of dedicated collaboration within the ENVITER network.

This innovative course, developed through the Orientation and Mobility Working Group, is a remarkable example of what our network can achieve through shared vision, professional expertise, and international cooperation. With contributions from multiple ENVITER member organisations, the programme was designed to respond to the growing need for qualified professionals who can support the independence and inclusion of blind and visually impaired individuals across Europe.

Offered by Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education, the course spans two semesters and combines online and on-campus learning. Participants will gain both the theoretical foundation and the practical skills required to teach safe, independent travel to adolescents and adults with visual impairments — including those with additional disabilities.

This achievement reflects the strength and purpose of the ENVITER network: working together to build a more inclusive, accessible and professionally supported future.

You can find more information about this course here (pdf).

NewWorkTech Kickoff

Tampere University

Location: Kanslerinrinne 1, 33100 Tampere, Finland
Building: Pinni B, Auditorium B1097

Date: 24.1.2025 10.00–14.30 (UTC+2)

Register for the event

Language: English

Websites: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101177176

Entrance fee: Free of charge

 

Our member IBOS – The Danish Institute for Visual Impairment – is proudly inviting other organizations and professionals to follow the online Kickoff Conference from the project NewWorkTech.

This project aims to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities and critically examine assistive technologies. Coordinated by Tampere University, the NewWorkTech project aims to improve accessibility and inclusion in the world of work and promote the human rights of people with disabilities.

A significant number of people experience functional disabilities and restrictions at some point in their lives.  An estimated one-fifth of the global population lives with a long-term impairment or disability. This EU-project has received €3 million in funding to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities and critically examine assistive technologies.

NewWorkTech will focus on knowledge work and the service sector. The project will generate new insights into the world of work, such as workplace practices and interactions, and discover new competences in the people currently experiencing functional restrictions. NewWorkTech partners will leverage access technologies to break down employment barriers and to define innovative practices of technology use for all.

The project is keen on working together with different stakeholder groups in the context of the three-year project and invite anyone interested to participate in the kickoff event onsite or online! The kickoff event is aimed at stakeholders and the general public to learn about our upcoming research and practical innovations.

The registration is open via this link.

The event consists of the following topics, and the preliminary program is below:

• NewWorkTech in a nutshell
• Project partner introductions
• Coffee break
• Plenaries from stakeholder group representatives

Program 

PART 1, 10-11.30 o’clock 

1. From the margins to the masses: Standard practices and innovative uses of technology in augmenting different abilities of people in the world of work – introducing the project NewWorkTech  – Maija Hirvonen, professor, scientific coordinator

2. NewWorkTech visions – the project partners presenting the impact of NewWorkTech Tampere University – University of Oulu, University of Copenhagen, National Research Council of Italy, Italian Association of People with Down Syndrome, The Danish Institute for Visual Impairment, Autism Foundation Finland, Be My Eyes Aps, University of Warwick, European Platform for Rehabilitation

COFFEE BREAK, 11.30-12.30 o’clock

PART 2, 12.30-14.30 o’clock

3. NewWorkTech discussions – stakeholders presenting their visions related to the project 

Confirmed speakers are:

• Marko Jääskeläinen, Accessia Consulting: “How to build a diverse workplace and draw on the different competences”
• Heta Pukki, Autistic Spectrum Finland: “Future of neurodiversity in employment and workplaces”
• Elina Tapio and Jarkko Keränen from Raami training & development services: “New tech competence: Deaf coaches leading the general workforce to improve the quality of video-mediated interaction”
• Art-Jaan Riekhoff, researcher at the Finnish Centre for Pensions, Tampere University and the SustAgeable project: “NewWorkTech’s impact from the perspective of the (Finnish) labour market and pension system”
• Roberta Lulli, Project Officer at European Disability Forum: “European Research on Digital Skills, Accommodation and Technological Assistance for Employment (DATA)”
• Monika Chaba, Policy Officer at European Commission, Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion: “The EU Disability Employment Package”

5. NewWorkTech discussions – general discussion – The floor will be open for questions and comments from the audience.
6. Closing words (Maija Hirvonen)

The venue can be accessed with wheelchair, it has an audio induction loop, and speech-to-text interpreting is provided for the onsite participation.

Organiser

NewWorkTech

Further information

Contact: laura.jaakonaho@tuni.fi

 

Registration Now Open for Tactile Reading Conference 2025!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of the registration for the Tactile Reading Conference 2025, taking place in Amsterdam on 2-4 June 2025. This prestigious international event is dedicated to advancing tactile solutions for individuals with visual impairments, showcasing innovations in braille, tactile images, 3D printing, and more.

Join us for three days of insightful discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities with over 400 experts and professionals from around the world. The conference, co-hosted by leading Dutch organizations such as Visio, Bartiméus, Dedicon, Christian Blind Library, and the Library Service for Accessible Reading promises to be a cornerstone event in the field of tactile reading. Secure your spot today and be part of shaping the future of tactile literacy.

Are your insights worth centre stage? The call for abstracts for the Tactile Reading Conference 2025 is also open already! Do you have innovative ideas and insights on tactile reading, braille, and accessibility? This is your chance to share them with many international experts. Submit your abstract here and be part of this inspiring conference. Together, we make reading and learning accessible for everyone! The deadline is 18 October 2024.

The first keynote speakers for the Tactile Reading Conference 2025 have also been announced. Prof. Astrid Kappers and Dr. Ans Withagen will discuss how the sense of touch can be subject to illusions, from both a scientific and practical perspective. Don’t miss out—register now for this unique and engaging conference on tactile solutions for people with visual impairments.

https://tactilereading.yellenge.nl/registration/#/tickets

We really hope to see you there!

 

 

Our 2024 annual meeting took place, this in year, from 16 to 18th of April in the fabulous Halle, by the river Saale, in Germany, hosted by our member BFW from the city.

With almost 60 participants from 25 of our members coming from 16 different European countries, this was one of the most attended General Meetings off all times, for ENVITER.

The usual 3 full days dedicated to following your network goals had a balanced program that included presentations about ideas for future projects, our formal General Meeting and this year Conference on Wednesday subject to the theme “Moving and Being Moved Towards Social Inclusion”, during which we had the following presentations:

1. LOC.id, a Key to the Next Generation of Mobility, by Thomas Krämer (Berlin, Germany)
2. EMVI app, by Henri De Vroey (Belgium)
3. Project DIG.I.T.ABLE, by Alexandrina Kostova (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
4. Objectification of Subjective Visual Stress – New Dynamic Measurement Methods in Optometry, by Anja Müller and Karina Jendrischik (Halle, Germany)
5. People with Neurological Visual Impairments: An Insufficiently Cared For Group of Visually Impaired People, by André Kunnig (Halle, Germany)
6. Increasing Knowledge among Caregivers about Providing Support to Persons with Autism and Vision Impairment, by Annie van den Heuvel (Vught, The Netherlands)
7. Moving Towards Inclusion through European Mobility Projects, by Ramona Ionela Muresan and Elisabeta Pintilie (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

During these 3 there was also time to experience BFW Halle’s “Sensory World” (a space specially prepared to promote information and awareness regarding visual impairment) and the Halle Planetarium, with its very interesting and innovative work towards making Astronomy accessible to everyone.