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
Stockholm City Hall: Reception - Welcome to Stockholm
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,
Tina Teljstedt, Coordinator at Karolinska Institutet (KI), introduces the
rector/rector’s representative
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; Eric 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
THEME 2
New
Perspectives
Deeper
Knowledge
Staff
Develeopment
THEME 3
THEME 4
THEME 5
THEME 6
Awareness
Towards
A
Working
Life
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