CREATION OF BARRIER-FREE ACCESS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TO HIGHER EDUCATION AT THE URAL FEDERAL UNIVERSITY

Back to Page Authors: Victor Koksharov, Alena Nevolina, Galina Tkachuk, Natalia Petryakova, Olga Orinicheva, Viktoria Dihor, Aleksandr Baliasov

Keywords: inclusive education, barrier-free access, disabled people, adaptation module

Abstract: Any developed state seeks to give equal opportunities to all citizens, members of society. In this regard, country leaders set the task of ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities to all spheres of life, including obtaining a high-quality education for the full development of the individual and the realization of their capabilities. Higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation are included in the process of creating conditions for the barrier-free access of disabled people to educational services. Accessibility of higher education is formed by several approaches: creating architectural accessibility to provide access to lecture and laboratory classrooms; the use of modern technical means to ensure access to educational content; creation of conditions for social and psychological adaptation of students with disabilities taking into account individual needs and opportunities. The Ural Federal University implements all three approaches. In 2017, the Center for Inclusive Education of the Ural Federal University was established, which provides coordination for creating the accessibility of the educational environment of the university. Repair work is being carried out, various teaching technologies are being introduced (distance technologies, online learning, project training, etc.), the educational process is being individualized (each student has his own individual learning path). In addition, the university has developed the first in Russia and probably in the world unique online adaptation module for people with disabilities, which is aimed at developing students' practical skills for adaptation and socialization: conscious self-regulation, self-presentation, stabilization of self-esteem and effective interpersonal interaction. The adaptation module is adapted to the basic nosology and takes into account hearing and visual impairment (the module’s content is presented in three versions of students' perceptions). The module can be used as a low-cost and effective way to adapt higher education programs for people with disabilities for universities of any type and status and is available on federal online platform openedu.ru and the largest international online education platform edX.com.