BERT Project Final Dissemination Conference
4 days

Background

Inclusive education is globally recognized as a fundamental human right under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which promotes equal access to education for persons with disabilities.

The convention calls on institutions and governments to provide reasonable accommodation and supportive learning environments. Its goal is to ensure equitable participation in education and society for all learners.

Despite progress, many institutions in developing countries still face barriers to inclusive education, including inaccessible infrastructure, limited assistive technologies, and social stigma.

The Final Dissemination Conference aims to share project outcomes, encourage stakeholder dialogue, and promote knowledge exchange on inclusive education and rehabilitation. The event also seeks to strengthen collaboration and identify sustainable strategies for future inclusive practices.

Conference Venue & Date

Objective achieved& Overall purpose

The conference successfully disseminated the achievements, innovations, lessons learned, and impact of the BERT Project while strengthening dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships for advancing inclusive education and rehabilitation in higher education institutions

• Key achievements and outcomes of the BERT Project implementation were successfully presented to stakeholders
• Research findings, innovations, and best practices in inclusive education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology were effectively shared
• The conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue among policymakers, academia, disability advocates, students, and development partners on inclusive higher education
• Digital and assistive technology solutions supporting persons with disabilities in education and society were showcased to participants
• Regional and international collaboration was strengthened to support sustainability and future initiatives in inclusive education and rehabilitation

Participants

• BERT Project members from Finland, Zanzibar and Rwanda
• Leaders of the higher education institutions from the Partnering
• Researchers and academics
• Students and persons with disabilities
• Policy makers and government officials
• Rehabilitation professionals and therapists
• Technology and innovation experts
• Civil society organizations and disability advocacy groups
• Development partners and donors
• Media

Outcomes

• Awareness of inclusive education and rehabilitation practices in higher education was significantly increased among participants and stakeholders.
• The achievements, innovations, and research outputs of the BERT Project were successfully disseminated during the conference.
• Collaboration and networking among regional and international stakeholders were strengthened through dialogue and knowledge exchange.
• Key policy and institutional recommendations for improving disability inclusion in higher education were discussed and highlighted.
• Opportunities for future research, innovation, and partnerships in inclusive education and rehabilitation were identified and encouraged.