The DEEP – PROFIE project investigates how the professionalization of special education teachers within the context of inclusive education in a culture of digitality (Stalder 2024) can contribute to more significant equity in Swiss primary schools. DEEP – PROFIE focuses on knowledge concerning digital inequalities and access disparities, especially for students with special educational needs (SEN). At a theoretical and conceptual level, there are limited publications on the professionalization of SEN teachers for teaching in a culture of digitality. To date, there are a small number of professionalization programs that consider the specific skills and competences of SEN teachers, e.g. on accessibility and assistive technologies for teaching (e.g. Mikelskis-Seifert & Graichen, 2023; Beier & Czaja, 2023; Menzinger et al., 2024). DEEP – PROFIE focuses on the professional competence required of special education teachers to navigate and effectively incorporate digital tools into their teaching. The project addresses the following research questions:

• RQ 1: What are the needs and interests of SEN teachers in primary schools for professionalization programs focusing on inclusive education in a culture of digitality?

• RQ 2: How should professionalization programs be designed to promote professional skills and knowledge in inclusive education within a culture of digitality for primary schools?

• RQ3: What are the benefits and challenges of joint professionalization programs for SEN and primary school teachers?

Through a design-based research approach, which includes qualitative interviews with special education teachers and focus groups with stakeholders, the project aims to identify current knowledge gaps, training needs, and barriers to inclusive education in a culture of digitality. The research also examines how professionalization programs can be designed to enhance teachers' digital competence and support inclusive teaching practices.

DEEP – PROFIE is combining insights from the fields of special education, general education, and media education to develop evidence-based professionalization programs. Ultimately, the project aims to create sustainable, inclusive, and digitally supported education systems by equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the needs of all learners in a culture of digitality.