Barrier -free study: Action community calls for support now!

Barrier -free study: Action community calls for support now!

On December 3, the international day of people with disabilities, a pressing problem is brought into focus: More and more students in Austria are experiencing everyday obstacles that significantly affect their educational goals. According to the student social survey (SOLA 2023), 21 percent of the students already state impairments-an alarming increase compared to 12 percent in 2019. The campaign community is now calling for comprehensive and active integration of affected students in the development of barrier-free offers. Viktoria Feichtinger, a consultant for social affairs and inclusion, explains: "Inclusion should not be a privilege, but to become normal". This underlines the urgently needed action to remove existing physical and digital barriers within the university systems.

barriers for inclusive education

Despite progress in the law, the challenges for students with disabilities are enormous. Many university buildings are not fully accessible, and the digital university platforms are often inadequate. Feichtinger warns that the ever more frequent reports about mental stress and difficulties also illustrate the need for action. In order to improve the learning conditions at universities, the campaign community calls for a nationwide support plan, which includes both physical and digital redesign. The introduction of a uniform legal claim to support measures at all universities must also become a reality.

In a comprehensive report by Education in Germany 2020, it is necessary to reduce social barriers that bring people with disabilities for their opportunities. This confirms the demand for an inclusive university culture, which is to be promoted by training and the naming of inclusion officers at all levels. "It is time to de -taboo disabilities and reduce barriers," continued Feichtinger. The actors in politics and education must meet their responsibility in order to ensure more equal opportunities in the education system.