Elements of the Training Handbook

about studying with disabilities

These papers are parts of the training handbook for the ‘Train-the-trainers’-programme in Ankara (Turkey) in June/July 2009.

The purpose of this information (and of the timing of the sending of it) is that the participants of the trainings can read a number of subjects and can decide about these subjects before the start of the training sessions.

During the trainings more materials will be given, for example assignments, cases to be discussed, more specimens, tips and tools etc.

The papers sent are:

1. a concise history of the national expert centre “handicap + studie” in The Netherlands, how it responded to problems concerning ‘disability and study’ and the philosophy behind it
2. the summary and conclusions of a survey called “Studying with a restriction”, done a few years ago in The Netherlands.  The results of the survey opened the eyes of many different people who are responsible for Higher Educational Institutes in The Netherlands
3. a very short description of the activities of the national expert centre “handicap + studie” in The Netherlands in the last ten years (particularly the activities for students with disabilities; handicap + studie also works a lot of work for organisations dealing with Higher Educations like the Higher Educational Institutes, as you can read in the first paper)
4. a personal translation of a relevant Law in The Netherlands (a translation from Dutch to English by Jan Westgeest; please note this is neither the official nor the whole text)
5. some information about cases, myths, fears and good practices published by AHEAD in Ireland (material for orientation before the start of the trainings)
6. general information for applicants who want to study in an institute for Higher Education in The Netherlands. This contains information about rights and possibilities (practical questions about studying with disabilities in HEI)
7. and a description of one of the methods we use during the trainings.

We wish all participants as well a significant as a pleasant preparation and training time.

Evelien Westerbeek van Eerten and Jan Westgeest