Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Get started free

LEARNING FOR EVERY MIND

francesca.colombano

Created on February 23, 2026

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Terrazzo Presentation

Visual Presentation

Relaxing Presentation

Modern Presentation

Colorful Presentation

Modular Structure Presentation

Chromatic Presentation

Transcript

LEARNING FOR EVERY MIND

START

Francesca Colombano (1047451), Aurora D'Orsi (1046019) Bianca Borroni(1046923), AIla Boschini (1046086)

INTRO

. Why We Chose This Topic • The evolution of universities from 1950 to 2100 • We focused on accessibility in education for people with disabilities • We asked key questions about: • equal opportunities • new technologies • future challenges • We chose to analyze two specific disabilities • Our goal: 👉 to understand how education can become more inclusive in the future

What does accessibility mean?

it is the design of environments, products, and services so that they can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities, without barriers or difficulties.

why is accesibility important?

  • Accesible design benefits everyone
  • Institutions that invest in accesibility can attract a more diverse group of students
  • Equal opportunities for everyone
  • It promotes inclusion and fairness

What Is Visual Impairment?

Functional and Social Impact

Causes and Classification

Definition

Visual impairment is not only a medical condition but also a functional one: its impact depends on how individuals use their remaining vision and on environmental accessibility.

Visual impairment may be congenital or acquired and can result from eye diseases, systemic conditions (such as diabetes), neurological damage, or aging.

Visual impairment refers to a significant loss of vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery.

+ info

+ info

COLORs Beyond Vision

In cognitive science, perception is not only visual but results from the interaction between senses, body, and brain. The work of Charles Spence, George Lakoff, and Marina Bedny helps explain how concepts such as color can be experienced through different sensory modalities.

Theoretical Framework

Marina Bedny – Brain plasticity in blindness

George Lakoff – Embodied cognition

Charles Spence – Crossmodal correspondences

Bedny’s research shows that in congenitally blind people the brain reorganizes itself, using visual areas for other functions. This demonstrates that concepts, including color, can be built through non-visual experiences.

Lakoff argues that abstract concepts come from bodily experience. Our thinking is grounded in physical sensations, which means color can be understood through feelings like warmth, tension, or calm.

Spence shows that the brain naturally links stimuli from different senses (sound, texture, temperature). This suggests that color can also be associated with tactile or auditory sensations.

Rethinking Accessibility

Accessibility is often understood as the removal of physical barriers. However, perception itself can also create barriers. Concepts that seem obvious, such as color, are not universal facts but experiences shaped by our sensory system. The project aims to highlight that accessibility also means understanding how different people perceive and interpret the world.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

Relearning Color Through the Senses

Participants temporarily suspend the use of vision and explore objects, textures, and sounds using other senses. They are then asked to associate these sensations with colors. This immersive experience shows that perception depends on sensory organization and personal experience, and that color can also emerge from multisensory interactions.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

COLORs Beyond Vision

COLORs Beyond Vision

COLORs Beyond Vision

COLORs Beyond Vision

COLORs Beyond Vision

COLORs Beyond Vision

Towards Inclusive Education

Accessibility is a fundamental right. Today, students with visual impairments have accessible materials, technologies, and suitable spaces that promote autonomy and inclusion. In the past, many barriers limited learning and participation. In the next slides, we will explore the evolution toward a more inclusive education.

Campus Life

Past Present
  • Accessible buildings, labs, libraries, and tactile paths.
  • Trained tutors assist in lessons and exams.
  • Extra time and adapted materials available.
  • Awareness and inclusion policies in place.
  • University buildings and classrooms not designed for blind students.
  • Labs and libraries inaccessible.
  • Exams and lessons not adapted.
  • Very limited or no support from staff.

Learning Tools

Past Present
  • Digital texts compatible with screen readers.
  • Textbooks in Braille and audio formats.
  • Accessible PDFs and interactive materials.
  • Assistive software like JAWS and NVDA.
  • Blind students often discouraged or excluded from university.
  • Textbooks only in print; no accessible formats.
  • Diagrams and charts not described or adapted.
  • No assistive technology available.

WHAT IS ADHD ?

- ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention, impulse control, and activity levels - It involves difficulties in executive functions such as planning, organization, and self-regulation - It begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood, impacting concentration and daily functioning

HOW WAS ADHD TREATED IN THE PAST?

1980s-1990s

1970s

1950s

2000s

Some support systems emerged such as extended test time, note taking assistance and counseling

ADHD began to be medically recognised but universities rarely provided accomodations

Awareness has grown significantly with universities offering structured accomodations

Students with ADHD were seen as lazy and they were given little to no help

ADHD IN SCHOOLS TODAY

Recognized as a neurodevelopmental disorder • Schools use an inclusive approach • Students receive personalized support (PLP) • Teaching adapted with: • clear instructions • visual tools • short tasks & breaks • Strong collaboration: teachers, families, specialists Goal: create an inclusive learning environment

UK VS ITALY

ITALY

UK

- ADHD is generally well recognised across the education system- Students receive support through special educational needs programs - Extra time during exams + separate room, longer deadlines, short breaks

- Awareness of ADHD has grown in recent years- The level of support can vary a lot depending on the school or university - Students can request accomodations (extra time, different exam formats) - The support a student receives depends on the specific situation

FINAL PROJECT

THIRD IDEA

Second idea

First idea

Focus system

Silent vibrant bracelet

Attempt of fixing the problems

Summary device in real time

Accessibility can be costly, time-consuming, and complex. Some adaptations are hard and require constant updates.

Is Accessibility Really Worth It?

Accessibility lets everyone learn, work, and move independently. It boosts inclusion, equality, and benefits all users.

The Price of Accessibility: Time, Effort, and Cost

Kelingking Beach, Bali

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

In the future, the experience of blind and visually impaired students at university may change significantly because of technological innovation, social awareness, and new educational models. However, it is difficult to predict exactly what this future will look like. Instead of giving definite answers, we can ask some important questions about accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities.

Will technology truly reduce inequality, or could it create new forms of exclusion?

Will accessibility be recognized as a shared responsibility among institutions, professors, and society, or will it still be seen as an individual challenge for students with disabilities?

Will the future of higher education challenge the traditional visual-centered way of teaching, or will it continue to privilege visual learning?

These questions show that the future of accessibility in universities will depend not only on technological progress, but also on the choices that institutions and society decide to make.

Did you know that...

The window allows you to add broader content. You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when you click on the interactive element.

Teaching Strategies

• Tasks divided into small and clear steps • Use of visual materials (maps, diagrams) • Interactive lessons and short breaks • Clear and simple instructions

Did you know that...

In Genially, you will find more than 1,000 templates ready to input your content and 100% customizable, which will help you tell your stories.