1 The Perception of Inclusiveness in Lithuanian Higher Education: Risky Survival Game or Pure Accessibility Development Rūta Ruolytė Lithuanian National Union of Students Social integration coordinator Vytautas Magnus university Phd student in sociology Conference “Education for All” 22-25/09/2009, Warsaw

2 Contents Integration and inclusion Lithuanian National Union of Students (LSS) survey Qualitative research

Integration Inclusion ! 3

LSS survey I 4

LSS survey II Physical environment accessibility in HEI: mobility (19), sight (4), hearing (7) Students dormitories -10 HEI Disability coordinators – 13 HEI Special services – 13 HEI 5

LSS survey III SWD participation Local students unions – 21 HEI Scientific activities – 11 HEI Decision making processes about higher education accessibility for disabled – 9 HEI SWD in Erasmus - 4 6

So... SWD numbers growing Increasing participation of SWD Development of accessible environment and special services 7

Qualitative research 8

School Wheelchair user (26): “ teacher was coming to my home, so we were talking mostly about butterflies and cats, about people relationship, but not about schooling ” 9

University learning to live development of responsibility and duty freedom 10

Studying in HEI “va bank” and 45 min to university Mother: “it is important that my child would go out and socialize” HEI – “greenhouse” before labour More benefits for personal than professional life 11

Labor Sight impairment (23) “When you can’t see, you won’t work as a waitress or cleaning lady, you have to study” 12

Inclusion Accessible environment: thinking only about learning Student Union in a second floor Public transport – a part of a progress To go to jazz concert – yes, to meeting - no You study – you are elite 13

From disabled point of view I could not go to psychologist in a wheelchair You sit in a wheelchair – you are not sexy What partner: abled or disabled Disability as a present I don’t want to be abled bodied 14

Challenges ! Constructive Communication ! SWD participation and voice 15

16 Thank You for Your attention ALWAYS WELCOME FOR YOUR QUESTIONS Lithuanian National Union of Students A.Vivulskio str. 36, Vilnius Lithuania tel , fax