UGR showcases ADOLL – a new online language tool for people with visual disabilities

UGR showcases ADOLL – a new online language tool for people with visual disabilities

Conference, Universal accessibility, communication and languages

  • Users can autonomously acquire basic language competencies in three languages; Spanish, English and Russian
  • The project, called ADOLL, is a pioneering initiative in the European Union and was presented this week at the UGR conference ‘Universal accessibility, communication and languages’

ADOLL is a European project designed to tackle current shortfalls in foreign language teaching resources for the blind and the visually impaired. This highly innovative project, the first of its kind in the European Union, was presented this week at the UGR conference ‘Universal accessibility, communication and languages’, organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Social Responsibility, Equality and Inclusion.

The project showcases a multilingual online application for foreign language learning that is accessible for blind people and those with severe visual impairments. The overarching objective of the project is to enable those with vision problems to acquire basic skills in three widely spoken languages; Spanish, English and Russian. It is aimed at adult users (16 years or older).

The application is also entirely compatible with international accessibility standards in the field of innovative eLearning technology. As such, the project places great emphasis on ensuring that the platform is compatible with learning tools that are already used by blind and visually impaired people.

The number of blind and visually impaired people in the European Union is now close to 30 million. Unfortunately, however, only a very limited range of adapted tools and resources is currently available for these learners. New information technology, when applied to language learning and combined with an extensive range of support devices, can pave the way for highly innovative self-learning formats. Rafael Guzmán Tirado, the UGR coordinator, explains: “With the help of these new technologies, language learning becomes a more comfortable process and one that can be monitored in a more personalized and effective way. This promotes personal development and new dimensions in social interactions.”

Both blind users and experts in the field of language learning for those with visual impairments are actively involved in the development of the project, guaranteeing constant feedback on the application’s accessibility and contents.

The University of Granada (project coordinator) is developing the project jointly with its international partners; Studio Profectus (Bulgaria), Acrosslimits Limited (Malta), the Marathon Group and Universal Learning Systems (Ireland), and the Foundation Fund for Social Inclusion (Bulgaria).