As part of the Trail event week, the much-anticipated REVEAL16 conference provided a platform for participants to showcase their innovative ideas and prototypes developed during the Design Thinking workshops. The conference was a highlight of the week, bringing together creative minds focused on making learning more accessible and inclusive for all.
The programme began with an inspiring keynote address by a guest speaker from Politécnico de Leiria, who is a leading advocate for inclusivity in education. She introduced the audience to the groundbreaking work being done at her lab, where they develop inclusive learning materials tailored to diverse needs. The lab’s projects include reworked toys that are accessible to children with different abilities and books that integrate three types of text—written word, icon language, and braille—ensuring that learning materials are accessible to everyone. Her talk set the tone for the day, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in educational innovation.
Following the keynote, the spotlight shifted to the Design Thinking groups. Each group had the opportunity to present their ideas and prototypes to the audience. These presentations were the culmination of days of hard work, creativity, and collaboration, and the energy in the room was palpable. Participants had tackled a wide range of challenges, from developing accessible tourism offers to creating inclusive cultural activities. Their ideas reflected a deep understanding of the diverse needs of learners and travellers alike. If you would like to take a look at all the presentation, you can find them here.
The conference concluded with a voting session to determine the best idea presented. The winning team was celebrated for their creativity and dedication, but the true success of the conference was evident in the wealth of innovative ideas generated and the collaborative atmosphere that permeated the event.
The REVEAL16 conference was not just an end to a week of learning and exploration, but a demonstration of how inclusive education can be advanced through collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to accessibility. As we look forward to future initiatives, the ideas and connections forged during this conference will continue to inspire and drive the development of inclusive learning opportunities.
We thank all participants, speakers, and audience members for making the conference such a success, and we look forward to seeing how these innovative ideas will evolve in the future.