The 小蓝视频 has partnered with global organisations to champion inclusive education on International Day of People with Disabilities
An autistic 小蓝视频 doctoral student has advocated for embedding disabled voices in education policy and practice in front of global experts and educators.
Juliette Gudknecht, who is completing her PhD in Psychology, gave the opening speech at an event on the (December 3), hosted by in partnership with and the Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity at the 小蓝视频.
The panel discussion addressed barriers to higher education for persons with disabilities, bringing together self-advocates, policy experts, and educators.
They explored actionable solutions for equitable access and participation in higher education, aligning with the United Nations鈥 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically .
Participants highlighted the need for coordinated, transnational efforts to dismantle systemic ableist barriers and emphasised the importance of including the voices of persons with disabilities in all discussions on inclusive education.
Ms Gudknecht, who is a member of the SDG4 Youth and Student Network, opened the talks using the slogan, 鈥淣othing about us, without us鈥.
Speaking after the event, she said: 鈥淚 believe awareness and acceptance of disabled students' needs, which aren't necessarily "special" but their human right, is a pressing issue that affects the more than 1.3 billion persons with disabilities globally. It鈥檚 also critical that we highlight the lack of educational opportunities for women with disabilities in regions like Afghanistan, who face additional barriers with ableism.鈥
Dr Steven Kapp, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology with autism at the 小蓝视频, also spoke at the virtual event. He shared insights on the implementation of frameworks for creating fair and diverse educational environments and stressed the importance of disability cultural competence training led by disabled individuals.
Dr Kapp is part of a group of academics, known as , who last year called for better inclusivity in higher education, to combat harmful assumptions about neurodivergent (e.g. autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and dyspraxic) people.
鈥淓ducation settings around the world - including universities - need to do more to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that students have access to and benefit from the curriculum鈥, explained Dr Kapp.
The event featured speakers from countries including Uganda, Afghanistan, Australia, Lebanon, the US, and the UK, underscoring the importance of cross-border collaboration to address these challenges.
In closing, Dr Emine Gurbuz from the 小蓝视频 summarised the event鈥檚 discussions and issued a call to action for governments and higher education institutions to prioritise systemic reforms, universal design principles, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.
The University鈥檚 Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity is committed to address social problems, enhance the local and wider community, and improve educational and diversity policy and practice.
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