Transportation Service
The Transportation Service is an essential measure for removing the physical and social barriers encountered by students with disabilities. It contributes to strengthening students’ independence, reducing inequalities, and promoting a university environment founded on the principles of equality, inclusion, and universal accessibility.
The service is primarily intended for students with mobility impairments or other transportation-related difficulties. Its purpose is to provide safe and timely transportation to and from the University’s premises, enabling students to attend lectures, laboratory classes, examinations, and other academic activities without barriers.
The service is provided free of charge to students who are registered with the Equal Access Unit and operates through scheduled transportation routes, particularly during teaching semesters and examination periods.
When applying for this service, students are required to read and accept the applicable transportation terms and conditions.
For further information, interested students may contact the Equal Access Unit by telephone at +30 210 529 4817 or +30 210 529 4818, or by email at prosvasi@aua.gr.
Physical Accessibility
Physical accessibility is a fundamental pillar of the Equal Access Policy implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens through its Equal Access Unit. These initiatives aim to create an inclusive academic environment where all students can participate on an equal basis in education, research, social and cultural activities, and university life in general.
The University prioritizes the elimination of architectural barriers and any obstacles that hinder the independent mobility and daily participation of persons with disabilities within the University campus, such as steps, steep gradients, confined spaces, and other physical barriers. At the same time, it seeks to provide safe, comfortable, and universally accessible indoor environments.
The Agricultural University of Athens has developed a mobile application that is fully accessible to persons with disabilities. The application guides users throughout the University’s campuses, including its three regional campuses in Thebes, Amfissa, and Karpenisi.
Given the size and complexity of the University’s facilities, which include numerous academic buildings, lecture halls, laboratories, and classrooms, the application has been designed to provide a simple and user-friendly navigation experience while accommodating different accessibility needs. Specifically, users with hearing impairments are supported through visual navigation features, while users with visual impairments can access audio-guided navigation through voice commands.
The application includes:
- A map of the entire University campus;
- GPS-based audio notifications identifying the user’s current location (building);
- Point-to-point navigation with voice guidance;
- An emergency alert function that notifies University security personnel via their mobile devices;
- A directory of all members of the University community across all Departments (faculty members, Laboratory Teaching Staff, Special Teaching Staff, and administrative personnel), including their contact details and text-to-speech functionality.
Digital Accessibility
The Agricultural University of Athens is committed to ensuring accessible digital services for persons with disabilities and persons with special educational needs through the use of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Assistive Technologies (AT). These technologies address the diverse needs of students with disabilities, enabling them to participate fully in their university studies and supporting their future professional development.
Each student receives individualized support following an assessment of their abilities and functional needs. Based on the type and extent of activity limitations and participation restrictions they experience, their specific educational needs and any potential challenges throughout their academic studies are identified. This assessment facilitates the selection of the most appropriate assistive technologies and ensures that each student’s individual needs are matched with suitable technological solutions.
Educational Support
The Special Education Teacher of the Equal Access Unit supports students with disabilities and/or special educational needs throughout their academic studies, with the aim of ensuring equal access, inclusion, and active participation in university life.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Special Education Teacher:
- Provides guidance, training, and support to academic and administrative staff on issues related to special education, accessibility, and inclusive education.
- Assesses the educational needs of students with disabilities and/or special educational needs and contributes to the development of individualized support plans, including recommendations for reasonable accommodations in teaching and examinations.
- Supports the development and training of the University’s volunteer network, whose members assist fellow students with disabilities and/or special educational needs.
- Collaborates with the other members of the Equal Access Unit, Academic Advisors, and the administrative staff of the University’s Departments to coordinate support services and implement the necessary educational accommodations.
Accessible Textbooks and Learning Materials
The Agricultural University of Athens provides academic textbooks and educational materials in accessible formats for students with print disabilities, thereby promoting equal access to knowledge and reducing barriers to learning.
Accessible formats include EPUB3, accessible PDF, DAISY2, Braille, large-print formatted text, digital tactile graphics, and other alternative formats.
The selected materials include core course textbooks, widely used academic resources, and publications requested by students themselves from the University’s Library and Information Centre. These materials are digitized using specialized processes to ensure accessibility for students with visual impairments.
Greek Sign Language Interpretation
The University provides Greek Sign Language (GSL) interpretation and remote interpretation services for students with partial or total hearing loss, facilitating communication with academic staff, administrative personnel, and volunteer students.
Through video relay technology, students who use Greek Sign Language communicate with a certified interpreter via online video conferencing. The interpreter provides real-time interpretation between sign language and spoken Greek in both directions. Remote interpretation services may also be combined with speechreading (Relay Service) to further enhance communication.
In addition, deaf and hard-of-hearing students may be supported through real-time speech-to-text transcription using appropriate assistive technologies.
Student Volunteer Support
The Student Volunteer Support Service is provided by volunteer students who assist fellow students with disabilities and/or special educational needs in their everyday academic life, promoting equal participation in both academic and student activities.
Volunteer support primarily includes assistance with:
- Attending lectures and laboratory sessions;
- Organizing class notes;
- Accessing educational materials;
- Participating in academic activities;
- Becoming familiar with the University environment.
Volunteers do not provide transportation to or from the University, assistance with mobility within the campus, medical care, or personal care services.
Their role is supportive and is founded on the principles of respect, cooperation, and solidarity, contributing to the development of an inclusive and accessible academic environment.
Accessible Workstations at the “Alexandros Poulovassilis” Library
The “Alexandros Poulovassilis” Library and Information Centre of the Agricultural University of Athens has established two fully equipped accessible workstations to support users with partial or complete visual impairment and mobility disabilities.
Each workstation includes:
- Two desktop computers;
- SuperNova Magnifier & Screen Reader software;
- Text-to-Speech (TTS) Reader software;
- Duxbury Braille Translator software;
- Tobii PCEye Mini eye-gaze tracking system;
- Embossing device for producing tactile documents;
- Desktop Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) magnification system;
- Adaptive switches as alternatives to a conventional mouse;
- Adjustable mounting arm for switches, tablets, or laptops;
- Alternative pointing devices (n-Abler Joystick Mouse and n-Abler Trackball Mouse);
- Large-key keyboard with a keyguard to prevent accidental keystrokes and a protective cover;
- Braille embosser.
The Library staff are always available to assist users with disabilities and other special needs and make every effort to compensate, wherever possible, for any limitations in technical equipment through personalized support and assistance.