Abstract:

Access to higher education, particularly within demanding technical disciplines like Computer Science (CS), remains a significant and often prohibitive challenge for students with disabilities across Europe. This gap is particularly pronounced for students who are visually or hearing-impaired, who often face structural barriers, a lack of specialised resources, and under-prepared academic environments.

The Access2CS Erasmus+ project is a targeted, three-year initiative established to strategically address this crucial challenge. Led by Technological University Dublin, in close collaboration with the University of Ljubljana, Fondazione Istituto dei Sordi di Torino, and Johannes Kepler University Linz, the project is developing a comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible set of resources to enable academics and institutions to create an accessible CS curriculum. The goal is to foster accessibility, provide robust academic support, and cultivate strong community engagement to build a truly equitable learning environment within European higher education.

The project is strategically structured around five interconnected objectives:
(i) Developing Accessible resources for CS and STEM Programmes,
(ii) Training Academic Staff for Inclusive Teaching,
(iii) Establishing a European Community of Practice (CoP),
(iv) Raising Awareness and Promoting CS Careers,
(v) Building an Open-Access Resource Platform.

The primary expected outcomes include an increase in the access, participation, and success rates for students with disabilities in CS programs.

Additionally, the project's influence extends far beyond the academic environment. By successfully preparing a more diverse pool of talent, Access2CS is contributing directly to a more diverse and inclusive future workforce. Furthermore, the skills and knowledge gained by graduates will indirectly foster the development of more inclusive global technologies.

Keywords:

Computer Science, Inclusive Education, Assistive Technology, Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired.