Details

This is the third and final conference being held as part of the project entitled "Proposal and implementation of a Swiss research centre for barrier-free communication" (2017-2020), the main goal of which is to ensure access to higher education for people with visual, hearing or temporary cognitive impairments. The project, which is a cooperation between the Institute of Translation and Interpreting of the ZHAW and the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting of the University of Geneva, is funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and is supported by the Swiss University Conference.

Building on the 2017 and 2018 events, the 2020 conference sets out to provide a wider international forum to discuss most recent progress and future challenges in barrier-free communication. The conference will be centred on all aspects of the field, focusing in particular on novel research findings and emerging disciplines, such as interlingual live-subtitling, live-subtitling into easy-to-read language and text-to-sign interpreting by deaf interpreters.

We invite researchers, academics, practitioners and members of the target groups to submit proposals related (but not limited) to the following topics:

• Audio Description and Audio Introduction
• Easy-to-read and Plain Language
• Live-subtitling via keyboard and Respeaking
• Web Accessibility
• Sign Language
• Community Interpreting

We encourage submissions to the following tracks:

• Research track: Faculty members are invited to submit unpublished cutting-edge theoretical and empirical research work related to any of the areas listed in the call.
• Student track: Graduate students are invited to submit an extended abstract of their ongoing research in any aspect of the areas listed in the call. Experience reports of students with disabilities who are or were enrolled in a Higher Education programme are also welcome. Reports may address any of the topics listed in the call and must be authored or co-authored by one or more students with disabilities.
• Professional track: Service providers are invited to present state-of-the-art technology, innovative solutions and best practices in any of the areas listed in the call. Professionals offering support to students with special needs in Higher Education settings are also encouraged to share first-hand knowledge and direct experience in providing as much barrier-free or “low-barrier” access to education as possible.

Authors are encouraged to submit extended abstracts (1 to 3 pages, including references) of their proposed paper. Submissions should be made by 31 January 2020, 11.59 pm, CET.

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