Initially, the general scheme of professional IT training was designed as follows (giving also some sample
professions):
Figure A. The projected fields of study at Astangu RTC
The first subgroups were to be data processing and office work, which were chosen for their actuality in Estonian reality on one hand and the more moderate technological needs (when compared to multimedia or CAD). For these groups, detailed curricula was compiled which has since then put into active use in Astangu. Due to the implementation of only two subgroups of the planned six, some features from other groups were added to the two, somewhat changing their original profile.
The following is the original version of the curricula, which was later only slightly modified and is still used in Astangu. The optimal length of the curricula is two years/four terms, each term lasting 20 weeks (the number of study weeks was changed later). When two different numbers are given, the first one is for the data processing students and the second for office work group.
General subjects: Subject Term Hours per week Hours total Estonian 1,2 2 80 Mathematics 1,2 4 160 English 1,2,3 4 240 2nd foreign language 2,3 4 160 Physical education 1,2,3,4 2 160 Culture studies 2 2 40 History of technology 1 2 40 Philosophy 4 2 40 Psychology 3 2 40 Business communication and etiquette 3 2 40 Computer science/IT (A-subjects): IT basic course 1 15 300 Software packages 2 4 80 Operating systems and user interfaces 2 2 40 Programming 2,3 2 40 Word processing 2 2 40 Spreadsheets 2 2 40 Computer graphics 3 4 80 Databases 4 2 40 Networking 3 2 40 Information systems (basics of systems design) 3,4 4/0 160/0 Systems maintenance 3,4 4/0 160/0 Practice in an IT company 4 17/0 340/0 Office work and economics (B-subjects): Basic course of economics 1,2 6 (term 1), 4 (term 2) 200 Organization and legislation 3 4 80 Office work management 2 2/6 40/120 Bookkeeping 4 4 80 Office technology 2 1 20 Office practice 4 21/0 420/0 Optional subjects (samples only): 3rd foreign language (German, French, Russian, Swedish) Advanced programming Electronics Marketing Accessible technology
Based on the Master's thesis of the author, this paper has been regarded the first (and still almost only) book written in Estonian language to discuss the role of IT in rehabilitation of people with disabilities. The book was released with the support of Astangu Rehabilitation and Training Centre, where many of the ideas from the book were put into practice.
The book covers a wide range of topics from the general situation of people with disabilities in Estonia that time to the specific hardware and software solutions along with relevant methodology. 80 pp.
3. Preparation and realization of two special courses about accessibility in TTUThe courses "Disabilities and accessibility" and "Accessible IT" were prepared in summer 1995. The former was designed for a wide range of students in TTU, aiming to promote awareness of the situation in public accessibility as well as to provide some solutions. The latter was targeted to hardware and software specialists to provide knowledge of different assistive solutions in hardware and software.
The courses were a partial failure - although generating a couple of outstanding results by students, the general attendance was very low (also due to prejudices) and the courses have not been held actively since then (although they are still available).
The objective of the three-year project is the restructuring of the teacher education courses in the Department of Special Education at the University of Tartu, at the other relevant teacher training units at the University of Tartu and the consequent reconsideration of the teacher education courses at the of Tallinn Pedagogical University, at the Tartu and Narva Teacher Training Colleges, cooperating with the Institute of Informatics of Tallinn Technical University in the areas of IT as a means of communication in teacher training and as a means of communication and learning for the persons with special needs.
The Rehabilitation Technology Laboratory acted as the main IT Coordinator, carrying out the training activities (three summer schools were held at the end of every project year, which always contained also some IT presentation and training sessions), advising project participants in obtaining new technology and counselling in current matters regarding IT.
The idea of a special network server emerged actually at the beginning of nineties already, but its realisation did not become possible before 1996. First, the server was run on a modest P100 machine and maintained on a hobby basis. However, the first release of Apollos WWW system was noteworthy not only for the wide range of information (the WWW was given a shape of a "virtual city" with various facilities) collected there, but also for being the first Estonian server where disability-friendly WWW design was systematically used. From the very beginning, the web system was bilingual, but avoided mixing two languages in one page - almost every page had two versions (see [L] Figure B).
Apollos got a major acknowledgement in December 1996, winning the Mihkel Award of the Board of People with Disabilities at the Ministry of Social Affairs (the annual award is given to people or projects contributing most to the improvement of situation of people with disabilities in Estonia).
Since 1997, Apollos features also a text-based talker (or chat room) system - The Old Town -, which is noted by its unique atmosphere in Estonian Internet community. Being maintained by a man with serious mobility impairment, the talker and people in it have always welcomed people with disabilities among them.
Although hindered by unsure circumstances and lack of resources, the project has been relatively successful in raising awareness about disabilities, but also as a means of practical assistance for Estonian people with disabilities (see also [L] Section 9).
Figure B. Current layout of Apollos - since the end of 1997
The efforts towards establishing a special research and counselling unit for disability and assistive technology research have made since 1994. While there is a number of practical results achieved, the Rehabilitation Technology Laboratory (shortly RehabTech) is still in its half-official stage - the premises and minimum maintenance is provided by the University, but it has not been given the status of officially recognized research unit. However, there is a strong chance to emerge into an official research centre under the University. The rebuilt premises of the Laboratory at the IT Centre of the University are practically the only wheelchair accessible location in the whole TTU.
The general objectives of the laboratory include:
The task of this project was to map the accessibility of public places in Tallinn and promote the public access ideas over the Internet by means of special WWW pages. The wheelchair accessibility of different public places (including the city hall, main shopping centres etc) were reviewed and given either a positive or negative opinion.
The Steeplechase project was organized by RehabTech and carried out by a young researcher who uses a wheelchair by himself. The project was noted also by the press (Õhtuleht newspaper).
[L]The Tiger Leap is an Estonian national programme of computerization of education. A separate branch is established to organize an annual fair-type education and technology event called Tigervision. In 1997, the cooperation with RehabTech resulted in the formation of the Special Needs Centre at the event to counsel people with disabilities as well as specialists of this field. In 1998, The Tiger Leap Foundation has been counselled in order to provide special IT solutions for special schools for children with disabilities in Estonia.
The objective of this project was to provide Internet connection to four disability organizations in Tallinn. The installation works were financed by sponsors. Microlink Online (a major ISP in Tallinn) agreed to provide free connection through its channels to RehabTech's server (Apollos), where the accounts reside. Besides the provision of server, RehabTech acted as a representative of the customer and project manager.
The lexicon is designed to enhance IT and especially assistive technology knowledge for special educators and other specialists working with people with disabilities. The book is written for professionals in SEN who do not have professional computer skills but want to obtain basic and intermediate knowledge in this field. The topics covered are software, hardware, assistive solutions, disabilities (from the assistive technology viewpoint) etc. The lexicon also contains English-Estonian and Estonian-English translations for all the keywords. 62 illustrations, 148 pp.
The aim of the project was to give people with disabilities a better competitive edge in labour market by providing IT skills. The project included two one-week general IT courses (office software, operating systems basics etc.) for beginners and one one-week systems maintenance course (networking, graphics, IT system management) for advanced trainees. The project also covered the purchase of an assistive IT set which at that time was the first of its kind in Estonia. The project was financed by the Open Estonia Foundation.