Austria

Education systems

Equal access to national education, vocational training and lifelong learning systems

Educational settings - mainstream education
Education settings - special education
Collaboration between both systems

Teaching of compensatory skills made necessary by vision loss

Provision of accessible text books and other educational material

Provision of assistive technology

 

1. Equal access to:

1.1. National education system

Yes, with some restrictions.

1.2. National vocational training and lifelong learning systems

Yes, with some restrictions.

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2. Educational settings

2.1. Mainstream education (please specify what support measures if any)

Itinerary teachers; books in Braille, large print and/or in digital format; electronic devices for children in governmental and private schools in responsibility of the government, responsibility for schools in the provinces (Länder) by the province.

2.1.1. Primary

See above.

2.1.2. Secondary

See above..

2.1.3. University

Each university is responsible for its own support.

2.1.4. Vocational training and lifelong learning

There are only a few legal possibilities for support. The Federal Social Office is responsible for electronic devices. The Austrian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted has a department which produces material in braille, in large print and in daisy format; there is also a center for training and social skills.

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2.2. Special education

2.2.1. Primary

Yes, 5 schools.

2.2.2. Secondary

Yes, 5 schools.

2.2.3. University

No.

2.2.4. Vocational training and lifelong learning

2 schools: the center mentioned in 2.1.4 and one center for rehabilitation.

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2.3. Collaboration between both systems

2.3.1. Primary

One two-day conference every year.

2.3.2. Secondary

One two-day conference every year.

2.3.3. University

Exchange of experience between the institutes of universities.

2.3.4. Vocational training and lifelong learning

No.

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3. Teaching of compensatory skills made necessary by vision loss

3.1. Subjects (Braille, computer, daily-living skills, mobility, etc.)

Yes, all of them.

3.2. Training and certificates for visually impaired teachers (Braille, computer, daily-living skills, mobility, etc.)

Courses and certificates are available for daily living skills, low vision and mobility. Braille and IT are included in the curriculum for becoming a teacher for blind or partially sighted children.

3.3. Training and certificates for visually impaired students (Braille, computer, daily-living skills, mobility, etc.)

See above.

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4. Provision of accessible text books and other educational material

4.1. Provision of the basic documents

See above.

4.2. Adaptation and transcription of the documents

See above.

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5. Provision of assistive technology

5.1. Primary

Yes.

5.2. Secondary

Yes.

5.3. University

Yes.

5.4. Vocational training and lifelong learning

Yes.

Most of the provisions are good practices that have been agreed upon, they are not stipulated by law.

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