This two day online conference on scaling up and providing access to video based services in higher education featured talks and discussions drawing in part on the experiences of universities all over the world in scaling up their video based services in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. On 17 June, the emphasis was on the experience of recent months from different perspectives; including that of the service provider, the academic and the administrator. Talks also addressed how universities helped and supported their academic staff to make the most out of video and what did – and of course what didn’t – work. We also took a look at what the implications are for policy going forward given the fact that for many, the crisis has been a significant game-changer for higher education.
On June 18, the emphasis switched to the topic of accessibility given the new EU Directive on Accessibility which was to come into operation in September 2020 and which has significant implications for video services in higher education. During the day there were talks on the legal implications of this directive, presentation of results of a research study into the degree of readiness on the part of universities and a discussion about the different options and possibilities available. Part of the discussion focused on whether it is really possible and necessary for higher education providers to comply with the legislation.
