In Ukraine, inclusive education is one of the priority areas of the educational system development. It contributes to creating an environment where all students, regardless of their characteristics, have equal opportunities for learning and development.
From 26 March to 11 April 2025, faculty of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, the Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences, conducted a distance learning course on «Ensuring Accessibility to Learning Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions» for Lviv Polytechnic academic staff. During the six lecture training, the course participants had the opportunity to learn about current issues of social and educational inclusion in higher education institutions.
In particular, they discussed:
- modern terminology in the context of disability and the evolution of disability models over the centuries;
- peculiarities of interaction in the educational process while communicating with a person with a disability;
- application of universal design principles in the formation of an inclusive healthy educational environment;
- regulatory framework governing the rights of persons with disabilities, the system of inclusive educational services and the Policy of Social Inclusion and Inclusive Education at Lviv Polytechnic;
- inclusion in higher education;
- ethics of communication, support and methods of conducting classes in groups with students.
The course was taught by the academic staff of the Department of Sociology and Social Work: Professor Larysa Klymanska, Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work Liliia Klos, Associate Professors Viktor Savka, Sofiia Stavkova, Tetiana Shapovalova, Mariana Shkoliar, Uliana Yatsyshyn, Senior Lecturer Halyna Herasym, and Assistant Professor Roman Myshok.
The advanced skills training course «Ensuring Accessibility to Learning Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions» aroused great interest among the students, who numbered almost 70 – representatives of all the Institutes of Lviv Polytechnic National University. During the classes, many questions were raised regarding the practical aspects of the work of academics, teaching and support staff and the University administration in connection with the implementation of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine – a new social norm, a philosophy of a society without restrictions, to create an environment where everyone will feel comfortable. Barrier-free is, first and foremost, about the need for changes in our minds, including the rejection of stereotypical judgements and generalisations.
Studying a course on inclusion is extremely important for teachers in higher education for several reasons.
- Ensuring equal access to education: inclusive education promotes an environment where all students, regardless of their characteristics, have equal opportunities for learning and development.
- Increasing professional competence: inclusion courses help teachers to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively with students with special educational needs (SEN). This includes understanding different teaching methods, adapting materials and using modern technologies.
- Creating a tolerant environment: teachers who have received training in inclusion can contribute to a tolerant and supportive environment at the university, which has a positive impact on all students.
- Compliance with legal requirements: inclusive education is one of the priority areas of development of the educational system in Ukraine. Teachers should be aware of the legal framework and requirements for working with students with SEN.
- Improving the quality of education: inclusive approaches contribute to improving the overall quality of education as teachers use more diverse and innovative teaching methods, which is beneficial for all students.
