skip to main content

High Contrast | (-) Smaller Font | (+) Larger Font

Klaus Miesenberger: 2011 Catalyst Award Recipient

Picture of Klaus Miesenberger.

Klaus Miesenberger is a professor, researcher, mentor, organizer, and a catalyst. He is widely published, has organized international conferences (the latest ICCHP and AAATE), and serves on committees both locally and internationally. But he is not being recognized for these efforts.

Rather he is being recognized for what he does beyond his job description and professional duties. Klaus is a tireless doer, working at all hours to advance the efforts of other organizations and individuals with disabilities. He was the instigator and co-founder of the International Computer Camps for Blind and Partially Sighted Students (ICC) to support the transition of high school students who are blind to universities and/or the labor market. He is co-founder and member of the Association "blickpunkt," a cooperation of all stakeholders supporting blind and partially sighted people in the region of Upper Austria. He is a founding member of the Association Uniability, the association of counsellors for students with disabilities at Austrian universities. He initiated and leads the group "ECDL for people with disabilities" for the Austrian ECDL Foundation at the Austrian Computer Society, and has helped to institute many other such organizations and programs. Klaus has been a mentor to numerous individuals with disabilities as well, helping them to understand and achieve their potential.

Klaus Miesenberger, Ph.D., holds degrees in computer science and economics, and is a professor of Human-Computer Interaction for People with Disabilities at the University of Linz, Austria. His research and teaching is related to practical IT supported integration of people with disabilities and IT for people with disabilities.

Professor Miesenberger is a classic catalyst, helping others to achieve - both directly and through the many organizations, programs, and new leaders he has helped create. These individuals, programs, and leaders will continue to help and achieve far beyond his efforts and tenure.