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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.