UDL and individual support needs of students

In the population of students within higher education, we see a diversity that poses major challenges to society. One of the elements in this diversity is the increase in students with support needs that are different from those of regular students. Numbers from the KULeuven (D’Espallier, 2015) show an increase in the number of recognised students with disabilities from 380 in 2005-2006 to almost 1500 in 2014-2015.
In the concretization of this support, two means are used: the reasonable adjustment obligation and the creation of an inclusive practice in education and organisation.

The aim of the project is to create new knowledge with regard to dealing with diversity and to support students with individual support needs in a more inclusive higher education practice.
To this end, we want to describe the process of imaging and determining the support question of a student in a more well-founded way by using the ICF framework (Dutch WHO-FIC Collaborating Centre, 2002).
In addition, the project will define and attune the possible/necessary support of the student based on the concept of reasonable adjustments and within the context of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) learning environments.

The project aims at the following results:

  • formulating 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 connection with the various learning contexts
  • putting together a training package for employees that can consist of coaching, training and a (analog or digital) practical handbook.

Duration: 2018-2020

Project members: Wim Stinkens and Beno Schraepen