Accessibility is frequently the last thing course and website developers want to think about when creating an online content. There is extra time involved up front, but it can help prevent problems down the line. I think most of us in higher education care about all students and want to help them to our best ability. There are also laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities to have access to programs and services that institutions of higher education offer. Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 says that public institutions receiving federal funds, this includes student financial aid, need to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in programs & activities and have the same benefits that people without disabilities have. It requires academic adjustments and accommodation to ensure full participation. Section 508 is an amendment that requires electronic information and technology, such as websites and online courses be accessible. The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 expands the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to private as well as public institutions of higher education. The newest is The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. It requires modern communications to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes VOIP services, electronic messaging, video conferencing, video communications and mobile browsers.

The potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to promote economic growth, eradicate poverty, and assist the integration of emerging countries into the global economy has garnered widespread agreement. Accessible ICTs has become an obligation that as is governed by policies and procedures all around the world. Therefore, training the next generation of experts has now strategic aim of governments and institutes working toward inclusion and sustainable future. there also is a growing consensus that strengthening research capacity requires a concerted effort across multiple institutes. This paper discusses an overview of the ICT accessibility Research Capacity Building in the State of Qatar, including a Case Study on Our Experience at HBKU University and Working Together with the Mada Centre.

ICT accessibility and inclusive design is considered as a relevant and essential topic that needs to be well covered and integrated within capacity building, training and education curricula and programmes. Despite this urgent need, there is a lack of integration of ICT-AID aligned courses in educational institutions and professional development services based on a comprehensive Global competency framework delimiting all required relevant competencies and capabilities in the field of ICT accessibility and Inclusive Design. It is in this context that Mada center has developed an open competency framework in a bid to guide globally training of students and workers on ICT accessibility and inclusive design, so that they will be well prepared to excel in their accessibility professions and contribute in the creation of accessible products, contents and services.

The purpose of Mada innovation program is to encourage innovators to bring relevant innovative Arabic assistive technologies and accessibility products and services for Persons with disabilities and the elderly.

The purpose of Unified Arabic Braille Portal is to present the Arabic Braille table in math and science signs/ symbols, as well as to develop the first eight-dots Arabic computer braille table to take benefit of its multiple features, such as writing or reading a single code in a single cell and supporting some computer signs.

تستكشف الورشة التدريبية الإمكانيات التحولية الهائلة للذكاء الاصطناعي في تعزيز التعليم الشامل وسهل الوصول للجميع. سيتعرف المشاركون في هذه الورشة إلى مجالات تقاطع الذكاء الاصطناعي والتعليم، حيث سيتم التذكير بأساسيات الذكاء الاصطناعي واستخداماته وكيفية الاستفادة منه لتعزيز الشمول والوصول إلى فرص التعليم للجميع. كما تقدم الورشة نظرة عامة على الذكاء الاصطناعي في التعليم من جوانب مختلفة بما في ذلك السياسات، والكفاءات، والتطبيقات، والأدوات، والممارسات، نحو ضمان بيئة تعلم شاملة للجميع بالاستفادة من الإمكانات الكامنة في الذكاء الاصطناعي.

تُعنى هذه الدورة التدريبية بتقديم المفاهيم الأساسية للذكاء الاصطناعي وتطبيقاته في قطاع التعليم. حيث ستزود المشاركين بفهم معمق لأسس الذكاء الاصطناعي وكيفية استثماره في دعم التعليم الشامل وتعزيز مبدأ تكافؤ الفرص التعليمية للجميع دون استثناء.
ستتناول الدورة بشكل مفصل أهم المبادئ والآليات التي يقوم عليها الذكاء الاصطناعي، إلى جانب استعراض أبرز تطبيقاته العملية في المجال التعليمي، وكيف يمكن توظيفها لخلق بيئات تعليمية شاملة وفعالة تلبي احتياجات جميع الطلبة بمختلف قدراتهم.
سيكتسب المشاركون من خلال هذه الدورة المعرفة الكافية لفهم دور الذكاء الاصطناعي وأهميته في تحقيق التعليم الشامل، والاطلاع على أحدث الأدوات والتقنيات المستخدمة في هذا المجال، مما يمكنهم من تطبيقها لاحقًا في بيئاتهم التعليمية الخاصة.