How can lessons be made more inclusive - and which digital tools can support this? These questions were the focus of an interactive workshop held by the Centre for Empirical Research in Inclusion (CERI) together with students from FH JOANNEUM (speech therapy program) on 30 April 2025. The focus was on testing technologies that enable people with different needs in terms of speech, motor skills or perception.
In a station-based format, participants had the opportunity to test various assistive input, control, and communication devices in small groups – hands-on and with a focus on potential applications in their professional lives.
Here’s a brief overview of the stations:
- Anybook audio pen: Playful storytelling, language development and communication by recording and playing audio content via stickers or QR codes.
- Ergonomic mice & joysticks: Barrier-free PC control for people with limited fine motor skills.
- Metacom symbols: Visual, symbol-based communication for people with speech impairments.
- Tactile Drawings: Images made tangible using a swell printer.
At the end of the workshop, participants reflected on how such tools can contribute to promoting inclusion and differentiation in their future professional practice.