Database
The Inclusive Higher Education Database consists of 47 examples and information about inclusive policies and practices in higher education institutions in Europe.
Use it together with the assessment, reflection and analysis tools (e.g. the Checklist, Canvas and SWOT-analysis template) in order to compare, reflect and analyze the challenges and opportunities identified in your institution or department.
Use it as a source of information and inspiration regarding good policies and practices of inclusive higher education, which may support you in drafting strategic goals for inclusion (using the Inclusive Higher Education Strategy Worksheet).
Access and browse the database or access and filter according to country or the challenges that your institution is facing with regard to inclusive policies, practices, or accessibility.
Sign language interpreter for acquiring higher education
- Keywords: Students support, Students with disabilities
Possibility to use a sign language interpreter for people with a hearing disability. The interpreter can help up to 480 academic hours in an academic year and is paid by the state. Sign language interpreters are provided by the Latvian Association of Deaf. Although law dictates that students can use up to 480 hours of sign language interpreters, the amount what will be spent on this service from the state budget is set, therefore all demands cannot be satisfied immediately.
Link- Accessibility
- Latvia
How University of Latvia buildings are made accessible to people with special needs
- Keywords: Accessibility, Students with disabilities
The newest building of the University of Latvia in Riga is the most accessible to people with physical, visual impairment or hearing disability. There are parking places for people with special needs and the building can be easily entered. Elevators help to move from floor to floor, floor numbers are announced in Latvian and there are explanations on elevators’ buttons in Braille. Bright colours have been used to indicate first and last step of stairs. There are restrooms for people with special needs and alarm button, if needed. In corridors signs have been used to help orient in the building. Although many of the university’s buildings are not as accessible as the one described, it is good that the university is aware these problems and do not hide them.
Link- Accessibility
- Latvia
Device for reading and listening to books in library - Support for users with special needs
- Keywords: Students with disabilities
Book reader „BRUNO” helps to read electronic and printed materials. The device creates audio materials which can be listened to later. The program also offers to visually follow the text. If needed, the text is enlarged. Audio files can be exported to MP3 players, USB flash drives and Android phones. Texts can be scanned and listened to in Latvian, Russian, English and German language and there is also the possibility to change the voice.
Link- Accessibility
- Latvia
Growing interest of HE among people with disability
- Keywords: Students with disabilities
A student with visual impairment talks about her experience of studying at the University of Latvia. She participated at special preparatory courses. During classes, she uses a dictaphone and takes notes of the most important parts. The process of finding the needed books is time consuming, as not all of them are in Braille and some texts have to be scanned and then read using technologies. A professor talks about how technologies facilitate the interaction with visually impaired students and the need to prepare e-materials. Another student with visual impairment however did not get accepted into a Music High school, so to continue her studies on HE level she had to take private lessons.
Link- Accessibility
- Latvia
Celia – Finnish national center for accessible literature
- Keywords: Students support, Students with disabilities
Celia is a national center for accessible literature and publishing in Finland, working toward equality in reading and learning. Celia produces and distributes literature in accessible formats, such as talking books and braille books, together with public libraries and publishers. In addition to fiction and non-fiction, Celia also produces and distributes textbooks in accessible formats to all educational levels, including course literature in higher education. Celia’s books are available online as well as on CDs and a variety of physical media. The use is free of charge.
Link- Accessibility
- Finland
Framework for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities – West University of Timisoara
- Keywords: Students support, Students with disabilities
This framework was developed by the Center for Psychopedagogical Assistance and Integration (CAIP) of the West University of Timișoara to facilitate equal opportunities and access for students with disabilities.
Link- Accessibility
- Romania
