20 years of experience, development work, networking and practical implementation of barrier-free education and advice – Beatrix Eder Gregor is handing over the management of the biv-academy for integrative education.
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Known throughout Austria in adult education as a leading networker, developer, loud voice for accessibility in adult education and the promotion of participation – dear Beatrix Eder-Gregor, countless educational institutions and educational customers have already been able to through projects that you initiated and professionally created materials, information, brochures and the openly shared expertise benefit …
How are you doing at biv aktuell – are there still new projects going on at this particularly challenging time?
Yes of course some! For example, courses, workshops and seminars for people with disabilities are continuously offered at the Vienna Adult Education Center and with the support of the Vienna Social Fund, Licht ins Dunkel and the Vienna Educational Advisory Service. And in a three-year Erasmus project “All Inclusive – Adult Education and Inclusion: new cooperative approaches” the biv is involved as an expert … short info films are currently being made that show the needs of people with disabilities in educational work and the Illustrate opportunities for educational institutions.
We look forward to the results and the films! At the moment, digitization is particularly important – do you see it as an opportunity or a curse for accessibility in adult education?
Both. On the one hand, digitization provides a good and efficient opportunity to participate for those people who for various reasons cannot get to the educational institution. However, people who lack the necessary technical knowledge or who do not have the equipment are disadvantaged and often need intensive support. Many areas and educational content cannot be conveyed digitally at all and digital offers are mostly unsuitable for people with cognitive disabilities. In addition, there is a risk of loneliness. Digital educational offers are an important and good addition, but not a substitute for personal encounters.
What is the significance of communication and cooperation at the federal level?
Communication and networking are essential at all levels – especially when it comes to issues that are so important to society as a whole, such as accessibility in education and the promotion of participation. The Federal Ministry of Education was won over as a reliable partner who takes the concerns and further development of the subject of accessibility in education “seriously and supports them with project funding. Thus, among other things, numerous teaching materials for adults with learning difficulties could be developed and used and in good cooperation the focus topic “Barrier-free education” was established on www.erwachsenenbildung.at. The Federal Institute for Adult Education St. Wolfgang has also been a valuable partner since 2003.
Looking back over many years, what are you particularly proud of, what has been particularly successful?
I am particularly proud that we have managed to establish the topic and the importance of barrier-free education nationwide and to continuously develop it further. The 2003 meeting in Strobl “Education for All” was a cornerstone of this work. The importance of meeting handicapped and non-handicapped people was experienced there as such a valuable learning experience that since then many important steps towards accessibility in educational work have been taken. This led to the development of the “Network Inclusive Adult Education” expert committee that brought people with disabilities and experts from adult education to one table. In this way, the different needs could and can be experienced and exchanged. Learning from one another was and is always the motto here. This committee produced brochures and information materials with specific suggestions and examples for implementation in educational and advisory practice, theoretical background information and important contact addresses in the federal states and across federal state borders.
Much has already been developed, where do you think there is still a lot to be done today?
The interest in and the need for offers in public educational institutions must continue to be strengthened – basic funding for barrier-free education is needed. A lot of information and sensitization of the adult education institutions and the disabled people’s associations on the subject of barrier-free education is also necessary so that systematic networking can then take place and common approaches, cooperation and strategies lead to successful implementation.
Is there anything that you would absolutely like to give to adult education professionals in relation to accessible education?
Yes of course! It is particularly important: do not be afraid of meeting! Many uncertainties can be cleared up quickly and easily. The customer group of people who depend on accessible adult education – it is helpful for EVERYONE – is diverse and large. I see it as the task of adult education to reach everyone with educational offers. This education for all is a vision – we are all preparing the way there: it is already laid out, to beautify it, to widen it and to make it passable for all, remains our task.
Thank you Beatrix Eder-Gregor for your words today and for the many years of good cooperation and reliable networking, the tireless information services and the many productive personal networking meetings for barrier-free adult education! We wish you all the best for your post-employment phase!
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Beatrix Eder-Gregor hands over the management of the biv – the academy for integrative education on November 30th, 2020, for networking and questions in the context of barrier-free adult education, Mag. Beate Dietmann and Bruno Kirchner look forward to contacting you.
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