1 Disabled in Higher education: the protractor of society openness International conference “Education for ALL” September, 2007 Warsaw, Poland Ruta Ruolyte Lithuanian National Union of Students
2 Main topics Present situation in Lithuania Relevant legislation Students with disability as a social goal group Visions for the future
3 Contemporary society is neither utopia nor the real world, it is socially created world Taylor, 1996
5 Present situation I The volunteers in Student representatives organisations Disability coordinators in the universities Increased number of students with disability Financial support from the government
6 Present situation II Technical Regulation for Construction (2004) The Centre for Blind and Visually Impaired Students in Vilnius university The Career Centre for Disabled in the college of Siauliai Special study programs for disabled
7 Present situation III In general still exists: Inaccessibility of physical, informational and accommodation environment Lack of special services and support workers The attitude of lecturers, students and disabled Passiveness and pessimism of disabled
8 Relevant legislation I The Constitution of Lithuanian Republic The law of Higher education The law of Education The law of Special education The law of Equal possibilities The law of Disabled Social Integration
9 Relevant legislation II Higher education is available according to each persons capabilities One of the main goals of university is to create conditions for person to get higher education The system of education is socially fair Professional schools, higher education institutions make conditions for persons with special needs to get particular education
10 Students with disability as a social goal group I Researches Visits to Higher education institutions Special seminars for students representatives Meetings with disabled pupils National conference on Higher education and disability
11 Program “Higher Education for All” and action plan 1. The accessibility of physical and informational environment 2. Supplement of special needs 3. Attitude towards the disabled Students with disability as a social goal group II
12 Students with disability as a social goal group III International seminar “The power of difference – alliance” Equal rights research in U.K. “In the way to studies for all: first step – education”
13 Visits to Higher Education institutions
14 Seminar for Students Representatives
15 “The power of difference – alliance”
16 Photo exhibition
17 Vision for the Future Student with disability studying in Higher education institution with equal rights and possibilities Participation of disabled students
18 Challenge for Higher education institutions The space for mutual development The risk and prestige Creation of wellbeing of the country The way of seeking public-spirited and conscious ideal of society
19 Education is a right, not a privilege. Lithuanian National Union of Students
20 Lithuanian National Union of Students Gele ž inio vilko str. 12, Vilnius Lithuania tel , fax el. paštas: Thank You for Your attention ALWAYS WELCOME FOR YOUR QUESTIONS