Making lifelong learning a reality for all The impact of legal and political frameworks on accessible lifelong learning (ALL)

Abstract : Within the EU4ALL project (www.eu4all-project.eu) extensive research has been undertaken to detect the impact of legal and political frameworks on the accessibility of lifelong learning (ALL), with a clear focus on higher education in this initial phase. The introduction of appropriate technologies in educational institutions is accompanied and shaped by legal and political concepts, measures and programmes capable of reducing or strengthening existing barriers to the participation in lifelong learning (LLL) for all. International declarations have been analysed as well as European legal and political frameworks relevant for accessible lifelong learning accompanied by research on national level in a sample of EU member states and Australia, Canada and the USA. Main areas of investigation are equality, nondiscrimination and equal opportunities as well as academic laws and corresponding policies and strategies in favour of disabled students at institutional level.