Delivering on the promise of Plato's academy: Educational accessibility for the 21st century

Abstract

Purpose. This special volume is dedicated to eight updated and expanded communications selected from 33 refereed papers presented at the inaugural international conference on Technology-based Learning with Disability (LWD-07) which took place on July 19–20, 2007 at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Methods. Approximately 140 researchers and practitioners attended LWD-07 representing a cross-section of K-12 and higher education, pure and applied research, disability-related industry and rehabilitation agencies with common interests in facilitating educational attainment for people with all types of disabilities through use of technology.

Results. The communications selected for publication are representative of the breadth of interest at the nexus of disability, assistive technology, and the pedagogy of individualized learning.

Conclusions. Access to education is a key component for quality of life and rehabilitation of any individual with a disability.

Keywords:

• Disability
• education
• assistive technology
• individualized learning

Acknowledgement

Funding for LWD-07 was provided by Wright State University (WSU) and the US National Science Foundation (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT): Ph.D. concentration in Technology-based Learning with Disability at WSU).