Building Bridges – between yesterday and tomorrow Karolinska Institutet, Aula Medica Stockholm May 13-15, 2014 The conference is arranged by: Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Universell and the LINK network New arenas for learning, digitalization of learning environments, and new expectations and demands in the surrounding society mean new challenges and possibilities. What can we bring with us from previous work and experiences into a constantly changing future? How can universities develop accessibility and pedagogical methods and tools to remove obstacles, while at the same time supporting students’ autonomy in higher education -and in the transition to work? This conference hopes to provide a forum to share knowledge, good practices and inspiration for new initiatives for inclusive learning environments. Conference programme May 13, 2014 – Stockholm City 18:40 Welcome to Stockholm Reception at the Stockholm City Hall, hosted by the City of Stockholm The Stockholm City Hall is one of Sweden’s most famous buildings, and one of the capital's most visited tourist attractions. It houses offices for 200 people including the Municipal Council, and is also famous for its grand ceremonial halls and unique art pieces. The Stockholm City Hall is the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet held on 10 December each year. For more information: http://international.stockholm.se/the-city-hall/ May 14, 2014 – Aula Medica, KI 8:30-9:30 Registration in the Galleria of Aula Medica at Karolinska Institutet 9:30-9:45 Introduction and welcome Opening speech by Vice-Chancellor Anders Hamsten, Karolinska institutet (KI) Welcome by Conference Chair Tina Teljstedt, Coordinator at Karolinska Institutet (KI) 9:45-10:15 Introduction to the conference themes Monica Svalfors, Coordinator, National Student Disability Support, Stockholm University and Mary Quirke, Assistant Director AHEAD 10:15-11:00 My Life: Our Lessons Dr. Timothy Cordes, psychiatrist, also a Ph.D in biomolecular chemistry, USA, graduated from the Medical Scientists Training Program at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, earning both a Ph.D. in Biomolecular Chemistry and an M.D. He is believed to be the only blind person ever to obtain these dual degrees. He has written computer software that uses sound to help sighted and blind individuals understand the structure of proteins. 11:00-11:15 Coffee/tea 11.15-11.30 Questions to Dr. Timothy Cordes 11:30-12:00 Enabling the development of optimum personal autonomy Deborah Viney, Diversity Advisor, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London, gives us a professional perspective. 12:00-13:00 Eat and mingle in the Galleria outside the Aula Medica 13:00-13:45 How students with disabilities can overcome obstacles and see disabilities in a way that is empowering. About assumptions, conceptions and mindsets - reflections on attitudes Bjørnar Erikstad, member of the Norwegian national sailing-team since 2005, gives us an inside perspective. 13:45-14:00 Break 14:00-15:00 The supervisor’s role, influence and responsibility in supporting students’ empowerment and autonomy Dr. Jonathan Reams, associate professor, who teaches in the master program in Counseling at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), gives us an academic perspective. 15:00-15:30 Coffee/tea 15:30-16:30 Panel on guidance, power relations in the meeting with the student, student autonomy: Dr. Timothy Cordes; Dr. Jonathan Reams; Mary Quirke, Assistant Director AHEAD; Erik Arroy, Chairperson of The Swedish National Union of Students (SFS), Karl-Fredrik Ahlmark, MSc European Studies Moderated by Barbara Waters 16:30 Networking, drinks and canapés in the Galleria outside the Aula May 15, 2014 – KI Parallel seminars 9:00-12:00 There are six parallel seminars, divided by a short coffee break between 10.15 and 10.30. All the seminars are different – small presentations, ordinary lectures, workshops - and the seminars will finish with a topic specific discussion. As a participant you will participate in your chosen topic before and after the coffee break. Note that you cannot switch topics mid session. The seminar 6 contains two workshops. The seminar topics are: THEME 1 New Perspectives Deeper Knowledge THEME 2 Staff Develeopment THEME 3 THEME 4 Awareness Towards A Working Life THEME 5 THEME 6 Tools for accessibility Bridging gaps relations and communication Later in the program you will find a presentation of the parallel seminar sessions. For further information about the seminar and workshop options - including the synopsis - please see the seminar program webpage at http://www.universell.no/english/building-bridges-seminars/ 12:00-13:00 Lunch in the Galleria outside the Aula Medica 13:00 “TZALWEL!” – a film documentary about studying with a disability in higher education Presented by Karen Leyman and Leen Thienpondt, Support Center for Inclusive Higher Education (SIHO), Belgium 13:45-14:30 Understanding fairness and meeting professional competence and academic standards through reasonable accommodations in curriculum design and pedagogy. Current research from the UK Equality Challenge Unit. Particular areas covered include nursing, teaching, modern foreign languages and geography and earth sciences. Presented by Barbara Waters, Higher Education and Disability Consultant 14:30 Coffee/tea 15:00-15:30 Willing Able Mentoring, WAM Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) is a work placement program which aims to promote access to the labor market for graduates with disabilities and build the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the mainstream workplace. Presented by Mary Quirke, Assistant director AHEAD, Ireland Leslee O’Loughlin, HR Manager, Ireland Group at Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ireland 15:30-15:50 Future thoughts – about universal design and the LINK network By Kjetil Knarlag, Head of Universell, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 15:50-16:20 Concluding remarks Ann Heelan, Executive Director of AHEAD, Ireland