IDEA PROJECT

September 10, 2021
10:11

Inclusive Tertiary Education in West Balkans/ IDEA;
618859-EPP-1-2020-1-AL-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP (2021-2024)

Higher Education Institutions in the Western Balkans lack a policy framework, technical knowledge, infrastructure, equipment, technology, as well as education and training to facilitate inclusive education and ensure equal access in higher education institutions for students with disabilities/special needs and students with learning difficulties. As a result, more often than not, high school students with disabilities are not only discouraged from continuing their studies in higher education, but those who do enroll are often forced to drop out due to the absence of adequate support systems. Empirical data collected by participating institutions also indicate a significantly high dropout rate among students facing learning difficulties. The Western Balkans region is thus losing a valuable social and intellectual capital and continues to lag behind EU developments in ensuring equal access to higher education services.

The overall aim of the project is to improve access, create inclusive learning conditions, and provide employment opportunities for students with disabilities and students with learning difficulties in the Western Balkans by building the capacities of Student Service Units, academic staff, administration, students, and the governing bodies of higher education institutions in partner countries and their respective Ministries of Education, through the development of modern inclusive practices, assistive technologies, and networking, which will also benefit disadvantaged groups at lower levels of education (primary and secondary education).

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the managerial, human, and infrastructural capacities of Higher Education Institutions in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro in order to enable the inclusion of students with special needs.

Specific objectives

Create and/or enhance institutional support structures and protocols to enable access to Higher Education and foster the consolidation of a social integration and accessibility culture within partner universities.
Enhance the managerial and administrative staff capacities of partner HEIs dealing with and implementing inclusive education practices.
Equip the Disability Support Units with effective and relevant assistive technology.
Increase external relations cooperation to improve Higher Education access and employment of disabled students.
Increase public and students’ awareness and understanding on the importance of inclusive education within HE for the society.

The partner institutions of the project are: