In the population of students within higher education, we see a diversity that poses great challenges to our society. One of the elements in this diversity is the increase in students with specific needs that are different from those of regular students. Figures from the KULeuven (D'Espallier, 2015) show an increase in recognised students with functional disabilities from 380 in 2005-2006 to almost 1500 in 2014- 2015. In implementing this support, two means of achieving this are the reasonable obligation for adaptation and working towards an inclusive practice in education and organisation.
The aim of this project is to create new knowledge with regard to dealing with diversity and to support students with an individual request for support in more inclusive higher education practices. To this end, we want to describe the process of creating an image and determining a student's request for support in a more informed way by using the ICF framework (Dutch WHO-FIC Collaborating Centre, 2002). In addition, the project will define, weigh and align the possible/necessary support of the student according to the concept of reasonable adjustments and within the context of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) learning environments.
The project aims as results:
- The formulation of guidelines for a workable protocol on individual adjustments in higher education:
- in which the student as 'owner' of his/her support is central;
- where reasonable adjustments and UDL are attuned to each other in the various learning contexts.
- The compilation of a training package for employees that can consist of coaching, training and an (analogue or digital) practical workbook.