The 21st EAIE Conference in Madrid had a Creative Writing Contest: 'Maximum 200 words, relating to the conference'.   Towards Inclusive Universities project deputy coordinator, Claire Ozel, wrote up her notes from the conference.  At least this would make the jury members think about disability...

 The jury liked the writing; it was selected as winner, and has won a one-week immersion langauge course from CERAN Lingua International,  http://www.ceran.com/en/

 EAIE with a difference

“Just one question: What happens for disabled students at your university?”

Some disability officers (Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey). University disability offices in Botswana and Jamaica.  A Mexican dean accused of ‘wasting money’ on accessible toilets. An “unforgettable Polish Erasmus student who got around town on his skate board: no legs, one arm”.  A disability officers’ list in Japanese. A blind PhD holder in Nepal. A deputy-rector aware through his disabled child.  Ugandan students needing solutions. Spanish-Crimean disability project.  How many information booklets have images of disability: South Africa 2009; … yours in 2010?

How many disabled participants among the 3500 attending EAIE Madrid?  350 expected according to UN estimates: 10% disabled in any population.  Clear representation at conference opening, by sponsor ONCE. But most disabilities are unseen:  “Heavy bags; Bad back”; no seats to rest.  ‘Sorry, what did you say?’; lip readers need light.  Metabolic disorders require warm rooms.

The 4 day marathon empowered, challenging each to manage limited energy, accessing information, understanding new systems, going beyond pain, to seize opportunities.             

Do I dare volunteer for EAIE-DIW group?  Win-win situation, world-wide benefits, cooperating and expanding towards universal accessibility, from seeds gathered at Madrid.