Danubius International Conferences, 2nd International Conference on Education in the Digital Era

Issues of Social Inclusion of Young People with Disabilities in Higher Education

Aurelia Racu, Natalia Munteanu
Last modified: 2023-07-18

Abstract

Social inclusion in academia has become a key concept worldwide. The number of students with disabilities is increasing over time as a result of the accessibility of information, courses, and as an effect of the decreasing stigma associated with these individuals. In order to achieve this goal, universities face multiple pressures from under-represented groups. Promoting inclusive universities involves not only overcoming institutional barriers, which have been widely identified in the academic literature, but also creating structures that support students throughout their academic careers. Europe has seen a significant expansion of participation in academic life, with an important focus on the inclusion of previously under-represented groups, including students with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the Republic of Moldova, the educational context seems to demonstrate an acceptance of students with disabilities, but this acceptance is rather reserved, based on common sense rather than on principles, procedures and knowledge of what disability and the right to education of people with disabilities actually mean.