Towards Inclusive Universities

by Empowering

Students with Disabilities

Presentation about handicap + study (h+s)

Irma van Slooten                                

Utrecht, 10th December 2008

History of h+s

1945:   Dutch Student Sanatory: department of ‘education, worship and entertainment’

1965:   Sanatory closed: h+s continues work

1996:   handicap + studie, “expert centre for studying with a disability”

Definition of disabilities

l        physical disabilities (e.g. movement, pain, endurance, lack of energy)

l        sensory disabilities (e.g. sight, hearing impairments)

l        psychological disabilities (e.g. depression)

l        chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes)

l        dyslexia

Leading Principles

1. Improving conditions in HE
2. Spotting bottlenecks and finding solutions
3. Acting rationally and with common sense, but with understanding
4. Pragmatically, focusing on quick results
5. Possibilities as a starting point
6. Independence of students
7. Not providing actual help, but information resource

Working Environment

Funding: 80 % Ministry of Education and 20 % Fund raising (private, EU etc.)

Statistics

l        15 % of student population in HE has a disability (75,000 students)

l        half of those meet hindrances (approx. 40,000 students)

l        Higher Education System:

l        Universities

l        Universities of Applied Research

l        Bachelor/Master structure

l        No equivalent for h+s in other educational levels

Laws and regulations

l        The law on higher education and research

l        The law on study grants

Disability Rights: The law on Equal Treatment concerning handicap and chronic illness (December 2003)

Target groups

For students with disabilities h+s offers:

l        Information (e.g. websites, magazine)

l        Training (e.g. dealing with pain and energy problems, how to apply for a job)

l        Help line

For Institutes for Higher Education h+s offers:

l        Information (e.g. websites, magazine)

l        Training (e.g. for disability officers, policy makers)

l        help line

l        Campaign ‘No Time!’

Publicity Campaign ‘No Time!’:

l        Flyers, posters, promotion team

l        To make the disability officer known

l        Stimulate disclosure

l        ‘Lack of time’ instead of ‘disability’

Also :

l        Working with relevant actors (e.g. other umbrella organisations, politicians)

l        On a national and international level

Future

l        Accreditation System: studying with a disability as an item in the quality control system

l        Evaluation Law on Equal Treatment