How leading colleges embrace all students by creating positive environments that unite not divide

March 21st was the day of World Down Syndrome Day, and while most wouldn’t know its significance, many within our community celebrate it as a day of recognition and milestone - with many more miles to come.

The theme of this year’s World Down Syndrome Day was inclusion - or in our case, inclusive education.

Inclusive education includes everyone. Disabled or not, it doesn’t matter. All students learn together in a positive environment. This can be in schools, colleges or higher institutions. The aim is for all learners to feel valued. To create a sense of unity, and offer the right level of support to help them develop and reach their goals.

To address this, more universities have offered programs for people with disabilities. The United States, for one, has improved in this area. A Think College study of 59 postsecondary programs in 2018-2019 showed students spent 56% of their time in inclusive classes. 52% of graduated students found employment within 90 days. This was an 8% increase from the previous year.

981 students took part in the study from 57 colleges and universities across the US. 64% had an Intellectual Disability (ID). 32% had ID and/or autism, and another 4% had an unspecified disability.

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How inclusive programs unite all students

Inclusion fosters a culture of respect and belonging. It helps all students learn and accept differences.

Based on a survey by Westling et al. (2013), people with ID are welcome on a college campus. More than 83% of 572 students agreed that including pupils with ID can benefit everyone.

The same study also noted a positive societal attitude can lead to a better life. Not to mention influence laws and public policies. Moreover, it can break ‘the cultural barrier’ that keeps young adults with ID from college.

Partner universities of UNIVISER also agreed that giving everyone a fair chance increases student body morale and builds more accepting young professionals. Our WCAG compliant platform connects universities with students of all kinds. This makes ​​inclusivity easier than ever whilst increasing enrolments.

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How higher education benefits students with ID

In the US, 26% of young adults with ID experience improved employment prospects after completing a program at a higher institution.

Of the benefits people with ID that had a postsecondary education compared to those who hadn’t, one study noted:

• They earn around $406 more.
• They need $77 less per month for SSI benefits.

Data from various studies have also stated students benefit from inclusive academic coursework, social involvement at universities, and learning independent living skills.

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How universities have accommodated students with ID

Programs on offer vary. In the US, they may last between two and four years. Some have different characteristics or varying degrees of participation. For instance, students can dually enroll in a program. This allows them to finish their final years of high school at university. While others may take part in a non-degree course.

University programs for students with intellectual disabilities focus on:

• Academic enrichment.
• Socialization.
• Independent living skills.
• Integrated work experiences and career skills that lead to gainful employment.

In 2017, HEFCE surveyed 67 UK higher institutions for evidence of inclusive practices. The report detailed several promising results, such as:

• 95% made books available in electronic form and presented alternative assessment techniques.
• 82% provided mind mapping software.
• 78% had document reading software.
• All universities and colleges made course materials available online.

But the HEFCE also highlighted several concerns in its report, noting:

• 8% of universities and colleges recorded their lectures.
• 29.8% of the 67 institutions had around 90-100% of their learning spaces fully accessible.
• Only 76% of the 67 institutions encouraged students to disclose disabilities.

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