Accessibility Matters: Making Inclusive Learning and Inclusive -Thinking Learners (26-WS-CY-01)
This professional development event focuses on strengthening accessibility in higher education by exploring both how and what we teach, with the aim of fostering accessibility awareness and preparing competent, inclusive learners and professionals.
Organizers
The event is organised by AccessibleEU Centre in collaboration with the European University Cyprus (SoScieAtH Centre of Excellence and Professional Development Committee), the Cyprus University of Technology (Learning Development Network) and Teach-Access.
Training and workshop
The event discusses fundamental principles for the role of accessibility in higher education as well as the role of higher education in accessibility. The workshop explores practical strategies for making diverse disciplines more accessible, while also integrating accessibility as a core component of teaching across sectors. Participants will engage with key questions around the role of higher education in advancing accessibility, inclusive pedagogies, and the use of assistive technologies.
The workshop component offers guided, practical opportunities in two tracks: (a) how to make teaching and learning accessible in higher education for students in any field of study and (b) how to review and ultimately redesign existing course syllabi, incorporating accessibility perspectives into fields such as hospitality and tourism, law, ICT, design and the arts, as well as health and medical studies.
Event agenda
17:00 – 17:10 Welcome, Introduction to AccessibleEU, Prof Katerina Mavrou & Dr Elena Stylianou, European University Cyprus, AccessibleEU National Experts
17:10 – 17:30 Introductory presentation: Accessibility in Higher Education: What and How we teach, Prof Katerina Mavrou
17:30 – 18:15 Designing Accessible Learning in HE: Tips and Examples, Kate Sonka & Rolando Méndez-Fernández, Teach Access
18:15-19:30 Teaching about Accessibility in HE: Fundamental concepts and Skills Framework Guide, Kate Sonka & Rolando Méndez-Fernández, Teach Access
Details on the event:
- Target audience: Higher Education faculty, curricula designers/developers, students, professional organisations across disciplines, persons with disabilities and representative organisations, families, educators.
- When: Wednesday 22 April 2026. 17.00-19.30 EET
- Format: Online. The livestream link will be shared the day before the event.
- Type of event: Workshops and mutual learning sessions
- Language: English (Simultaneous interpretation in Greek)
- Accessibility information: Accessible platform. Automatic captioning through the Zoom online platform (automatic translation in Greek subtitling will be enabled). Sign language Interpretation in Cyprus-Greek.
- How to participate: Free registration
- More information: Click here to access AccessibleEU Event Website
- Certificate of attendance: A certificate will be provided to all participants.
Invited Speakers Bios
Rolan
doMéndez
Rolando Méndez is the Director of Education at Teach Access, where he leads initiatives to advance accessibility awareness and education across higher education institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico. He brings over 18 years of experience in academic program management, instructional design, workforce development, student services, quality assurance, and technology integration.
Before joining Teach Access, Rolando held multiple roles at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, supporting the growth and innovation of online learning initiatives. Over the past six years, he has collaborated with educators and organizations worldwide to promote inclusive, learner-centered pedagogies and to develop accessible learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse student populations.
Rolando is actively engaged in writing about accessibility education and serves as co-principal investigator on a research study focused on identifying key accessibility concepts for integration into computer science curricula, along with effective strategies for implementation. He remains a dedicated advocate for accessibility, equity, and inclusion in education.
Kate Sonka
Kate Sonka is the Executive Director of Teach Access, where she leads efforts to close the Accessible Technology Skills Gap. With a background in bilingual/bicultural education and faculty development, she brings a collaborative, cross-sector approach to connecting educators, students, and industry. Kate has presented globally at conferences and trained faculty around the world. She is a mentor, advocate, and leader whose career spans industry, higher education, and non-profit organizations. She works to create meaningful and inclusive teaching and learning experiences through faculty support and development, immersive learning experiences, and strategies to encourage broad adoption of accessibility knowledge.