Abstract

BORGES, Maria Leonor; MARTINS, Maria Helena; LUCIO-VILLEGAS, Emilio  and  GONCALVES, Teresa. Institutional challenges to the inclusion of students with Special Educational Needs in Higher Education. Rev. Port. de Educação [online]. 2017, vol.30, n.2, pp.7-31. ISSN 0871-9187.  https://doi.org/10.21814/rpe.10766.

Based on assumptions of inclusive education and increasing democratization of higher education, the university has been progressively opening up to various minorities, including students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). There is still little knowledge on the subject of diversity and inclusion among teachers and students, in general. Institutional support services to students with SEN need improvement at various levels, namely in terms of the attitudes of teachers and non-teaching staff. What do these institutional actors think about the inclusion of these students? Do the universities provide appropriate conditions to this minority student group? In order to address this issue, we present the results of a study, at the University of Algarve, that aimed to analyze the concepts and attitudes of teachers and non-teaching staff in view of the inclusion of students with SEN in higher education. It was also intended to understand what challenges these institutional actors point out in a context of inclusion. The results presented, with reference to the testimonies of several institutional actors, reveal that, despite the efforts made by the institution, there are still many areas that need more investment: the architectural barriers, the development of more inclusive attitudes of the academic community, teaching-learning practices, and evaluation to ensure equal and fair treatment.

Keywords : Inclusive Education; Special Educational Needs; Higher Education.

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