WB countries do not hitherto afford good-quality accessible tertiary education to students with disabilities (SwD) or learning difficulties (SwLD). In spite of provisions of equity of access, the reality is that this intellectual capital is wasted, as SwD are often deprived of the educational principles of equity, relevance, access, effectiveness and efficiency. As a consequence, their already small numbers get even smaller. Clearly, EU integration of WB countries passes from inclusive and accessible HE.To address this need we have created a consortium of 10 WB HEIs from Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro, which solicit the expertise, practical knowledge and contextual experience of 3 European Universities and 3 NGOs dedicated to the advocacy of rights of PwD in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro, to establish or enhance accessibility units. To this end, the 16-members consortium joined forces with the respective Ministries of Education as associate partners.After studying good international models and best practices in the Accessibility Units of European universities, 3 policy documents and 3 new protocols will address the normative and regulatory reforms necessary to facilitate the particular facilities and services to be established for SwD & SwLD. 10 Accessibility Units in WB will be established after purchasing the necessary assistive technology equipment, installing them and utilizing them for hands-on training to academic and administrative staff of consortium WB partners by the European partners, with inputs from the local NGOs. Upon a piloting period of Accessibility Units’ operation, the accumulated knowledge on the processes and procedures of establishing Accessibility Units on WB will be encapsulated in a manual for knowledge-transfer and project sustainability.To this end, efficient management & quality monitoring mechanisms are developed, also to ensure that the project outcomes meet wider social groups, thereby promoting an educational inclusiveness culture.
To address this critical issue, the project aims to improve access, establish inclusive educational conditions, and develop employment opportunities for SwD and students with learning difficulties in the Western Balkans.
HEIs in the WBS region face significant challenges due to a lack of policy framework, expertise, infrastructure, equipment, technology, and education and training necessary to facilitate inclusive education and equitable access to higher education for students with disabilities (SwD) and students with learning difficulties.
<< Background >> HEIs in the WBS region face significant challenges due to a lack of policy framework, expertise, infrastructure, equipment, technology, and education and training necessary to facilitate inclusive education and equitable access to higher education for students with disabilities (SwD) and students with learning difficulties. << Objectives >> To address this critical issue, the project aims to improve access, establish inclusive educational conditions, and develop employment opportunities for SwD and students with learning difficulties in the Western Balkans. << Implementation >> This will be achieved by building the capacities of Student Service Units, faculty, administration, students, and governing bodies of the partner HEIs and their respective Ministries of Education. The project will focus on developing modern inclusion practices, implementing assistive technologies, and fostering networking, which will also benefit disadvantaged groups in primary and secondary education. << Results >> 10 officially Established/ Enhanced Accessibility Units, with the protocols and regulations in place; 10 Laboratories equipped with assistive technologies; Three Policy documents in country level (AL KS and MNE) prepared and delivered to respective Ministries; More than 500 staff (academic, administrative, and support) trained through training and study visits