Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services, Sustainable Societies and Digitalisation

Studies

The Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services studies equips students to design, develop, and implement accessible digital services and environments for both public and private sectors. The studies do not settle for just web accessibility education but aims to consider various societal domains such as culture, media, and game accessibility, as well as the accessibility of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Studies educate students not only to fulfill the needs of accessibility laws but also to design more accessible services beyond the scope of legislation. Furthermore, this specialisation educates students to understand the diverse needs of people with and without disabilities.

The studies include courses:

• Fundamentals of Accessibility
• Project Course
• Accessibility Project Work 
• Introduction to Sustainable Digital Life  
• Accessible Digital Society
• Accessible Design  
• Sustainable Design
• Thesis seminar  
• Master’s Thesis

The topics covered in the courses include themes such as: legislation and policies, who benefits accessibility, and producing accessible services from multiple viewpoints (e.g. subtitling, accessible communication, sign-language, website design, assistive technologies and adaptive strategies). Studies emphasize awareness of the ethics and sustainability considerations in the development and application of digital technology and offer approaches and methods for critical and sustainable design practice. 

Project-based learning

The Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services studies address the urgent need for accessibility expertise in an increasingly digital world. Accessibility should already be taken into account when planning digital services. However, there are many ways in which existing services can be modified to be accessible.

As accessibility overlaps with all parts of our lives, the program takes a multidisciplinary approach. This approach recognizes that accessibility is not just a technical issue, but a social one as well, and requires a holistic understanding of the barriers that people with disabilities face.  Moreover, the program is project-based.  During your studies, you will carry out an accessibility project in collaboration with stakeholders. The project work is integrated in the Master’s Thesis. The program aims to be truly accessible to all eligible students.

Master’s Degree Programme

The Master’s Programme in Sustainable Societies and Digitalisation specialisation in Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services focuses on awareness of the diversity of digital cultures. After completing the Master’s Programme students understand the role of digital media and communication technology in today’s and future society and recognizes its ethical and societal risks. The programme consists of the following academically independent specialisations with distinct study profiles:

• Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services (ADDS)
• Sustainable Digital Life (SDL)
• Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies (AISS) (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme)